HERE WE GO.
Halibut and shrimp make their respective returns and the lingcod fishery opens in a few other marine areas next week.
And don’t forget Saturday’s statewide lakes opener.
“It’s a pretty cool deal; a lot of stuff is happening right now,” Brian Menkal of Brian’s Sporting Goods and More (360-683-1950) in Sequim said.
The halibut fishery, the biggest of all the big openings, starts Thursday in Marine Area 6 (Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca) and 9 (Admiralty Inlet).
On the northern Coast of the Pacific Ocean — Neah Bay and LaPush — the season begins the following Thursday, May 9.
The seasons have been reduced in most marine areas. Read my column from March 28 for the details: www.tinyurl.com/NOPHalibut.
Spot shrimp opens everywhere Saturday, May 4.
The season is scheduled to be open for only two days (May 4 and Wednesday, May 8) in Marine Area 9, and five days on Hood Canal (May 4, 8, 15, 18 and 22).
But, on the Strait and near Neah Bay, the season will last through September 15 or until the quota is met.
The wise angler doesn’t have to decide between halibut and shrimp. He multi-tasks.
“Get your shrimp gear ready, and throw it in [the water] on your way out to do halibut fishing,” Menkal said.
“It’s a good way to get your double duty in.”
Lingcod starts well
Two weeks in, the Neah Bay lingcod fishery is off to a nice start.
“They’ve been doing real well,” Joey Lawrence of Big Salmon Resort (360-645-2374) in Neah Bay said.
“It has been really decent weather, which always makes fishing easier. And it looks like another decent-weather weekend coming up.”
Lawrence added that most anglers are catching their two-lingcod limits, even if the sizes of the fish aren’t spectacular.
Something else to know about Neah Bay is the breakwater has been repaired, and is now much more accessible for anglers.
This will offer anglers the opportunity to catch many fish species at a relatively small cost. All that is needed is a Makah fishing license and the gas to get to Neah Bay.
“That breakwater may be one of the best on the coast for all-around fishing,” Ward Norden, fishing tackle wholesaler and former fishery biologist, said.
“Not only have I caught a lot of black rockfish and lingcod from it, but I have also been surprised by some impressive chinook from time to time.
“Given what I have observed at Lake Leland this winter, and [the lack of fishing] out on saltwater, I am convinced people want to fish, but have to find more cost-effective, affordable fishing, and that breakwater is one of the best.”
The lingcod season will open Wednesday for Marine Areas 5 (Sekiu), 6 and 9.
“It is a very sought-after fish,” Menkal said.
“It’s a great eating fish. They’re ugly to look at . . . but have delicious white meat.”
Springers have sprung
Spring chinook have made their way up the Sol Duc River.
Menkal reports that a 19-pound springer was recently caught on the Sol Duc, and that the fish have made it to the hatchery.
Most of the West End rivers are closing Tuesday. Fortunately, the Sol Duc is one that will remain open. The Quillayute is another.
Trout opener
I provided a guide to the North Olympic Peninsula’s lakes in Thursday’s column (read here: www.tinyurl.com/NOPLakes).
I failed to mention that a Discovery Pass is needed to fish Anderson Lake.
For the record, the lake is still scheduled to open.
“There should be a lot of big fish, carry-overs from previous years,” Menkal said.
Another thing to know: The campground at Lake Leland will not be open this year.
River fishing class
Menkal is teaching his two-part river salmon and steelhead fishing class Tuesday, April 30, and Tuesday, May 7.
Both sessions start at 6 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m.
Bring a notepad, pen or pencil and a chair.
The cost for the class is $25.
Class attendance is limited to 12 participants. To reserve a spot or for more information, phone Menkal at 360-683-1950.
The classes are held at Brian’s Sporting Goods and More at 542 West Washington St. in Sequim.
Razor clam digs
Razor clam digs are ongoing until Tuesday a four beaches.
Here are the razor clam digging dates, morning low tides and participating beaches:
■ Today: 7:38 a.m., -1.5 feet — Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Copalis and Mocrocks.
■ Saturday: 8:24 a.m., -1.7 feet — Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Copalis and Mocrocks.
■ Sunday: 9:11 a.m., -1.7 feet — Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Copalis and Mocrocks.
■ Monday: 10:01 a.m., -1.5 feet — Twin Harbors, Long Beach and Mocrocks.
■ Tuesday: 10:55 a.m., -1.0 feet — Twin Harbors.
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife advises diggers to avoid disturbing western snowy plovers, small white birds, which nest on the state’s coastal beaches from April through August.
Send photos, stories
Have a photograph, a fishing or hunting report, an anecdote about an outdoors experience or a tip on gear or technique?
Send it to sports@peninsuladailynews.com or P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
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Outdoors columnist Lee Horton appears here Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5152 or at lhorton@peninsuladailynews.com.