Outdoors

Mason's Resort Sam Rutledge caught this good-sized king while fishing Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay) out of Mason's Resort.

OUTDOORS: Great American Outdoors Act leads to free day in National Parks Friday

Today is a free day in our national parks as part of Great American Outdoors Day. Civil rights leader and U.S. Rep. John D. Lewis,… Continue reading

Mason's Resort Sam Rutledge caught this good-sized king while fishing Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay) out of Mason's Resort.
John L. Beath The Quinault Nation canoe cuts through Freshwater Bay on the way to the mouth of the Elwha River and passes the downrigger line of Sequim angler John L. Beath during a July 23 fishing outing.

OUTDOORS: Spinning wheels set this weekend

Tour de Lavender in Sequim on Saturday; Ride the Hurricane to the Ridge Sunday

John L. Beath The Quinault Nation canoe cuts through Freshwater Bay on the way to the mouth of the Elwha River and passes the downrigger line of Sequim angler John L. Beath during a July 23 fishing outing.
Ride the Hurricane.

OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK: Ride the Hurricane to be held Sunday

Olympic National Park will host Ride the Hurricane, a recreational cycling event Sunday morning. To provide a safe experience for the event,… Continue reading

Ride the Hurricane.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife has added days to the halibut season and increased the daily limit. (David Bergeron/WDFW)

OUTDOORS: Days added, daily limit increased for halibut

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced this week additional recreational halibut fishing dates through most of the Strait of Juan de… Continue reading

The Department of Fish and Wildlife has added days to the halibut season and increased the daily limit. (David Bergeron/WDFW)

AREA SPORTS: Daily limit raised to two hatchery kings off Sekiu

Will be in effect through Aug. 15

Jason Headley of Port Hadlock had success during the Marine Area 9 opener last week, taking home limits of chinook with fishing partner Don Arnett of Diamond Point last Thursday and Friday.

OUTDOORS: Midchannel Bank busy as always, but productive

Port Townsend fishery

Jason Headley of Port Hadlock had success during the Marine Area 9 opener last week, taking home limits of chinook with fishing partner Don Arnett of Diamond Point last Thursday and Friday.
WDFW photo Shrimping days were added in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

OUTDOORS: Spot shrimp fishing to reopen in eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca

Recreational shrimp fishing will reopen in some Puget Sound marine areas, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Monday. Following review of… Continue reading

WDFW photo Shrimping days were added in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Craig Velthuysen caught this hatchery chinook estimated around 17 pounds with a hoochie recently on an early morning bite off Sekiu.

OUTDOORS: Sekiu auction Saturday benefits veterans salmon outing

Entire Quillayute River system closing to fishing Saturday

Craig Velthuysen caught this hatchery chinook estimated around 17 pounds with a hoochie recently on an early morning bite off Sekiu.
Crabbers hauled in limits of Dungeness crab like this around the North Olympic Peninsula during the opening weekend of the summer recreational crabbing season.

OUTDOORS: King season opener on fire in Area 6

THE CHINOOK OPENER was hot off Port Angeles and Sekiu with catch rates nearing a fish per angler in some creel check locations as strong… Continue reading

Crabbers hauled in limits of Dungeness crab like this around the North Olympic Peninsula during the opening weekend of the summer recreational crabbing season.

OUTDOORS: Late-summer halibut plan bumps annual limit to 6

Added time would run Aug. 17-Sept. 30

Chris Chandler of Redmond, Ore. caught this hatchery chinook estimated to weight about 15 pounds, while fishing off Sekiu during a 2020 trip with Tom Burlingame's Excel Fishing Charters.

OUTDOORS: Saturday is the big day for king anglers, crabbers

Do anglers toss and turn the night before salmon season opens along the Strait of Juan de Fuca like children awaiting the unwrapping of presents… Continue reading

Chris Chandler of Redmond, Ore. caught this hatchery chinook estimated to weight about 15 pounds, while fishing off Sekiu during a 2020 trip with Tom Burlingame's Excel Fishing Charters.
Anthony Nillson and Mike Surdyk caught these good-sized kings off Neah Bay near Mushroom Rock and Skagway in about 30 feet of water on the chinook opener last Saturday. (Mike Surdyk)

OUTDOORS: Neah Bay kings found closer to shore

Bait, cooler temperatures

Anthony Nillson and Mike Surdyk caught these good-sized kings off Neah Bay near Mushroom Rock and Skagway in about 30 feet of water on the chinook opener last Saturday. (Mike Surdyk)
Jerry's Bait and Tackle This steelhead in spawning colors was caught on a diver and shrimp set up on the Sol Duc River by an angler known as "HairDew" during a fishing outing with Jerry Wright of Jerry's Bait & Tackle.

OUTDOORS: Heat bubble passes, cool water off Pacific Coast

Could help improve coho and king fishing the next few years

Jerry's Bait and Tackle This steelhead in spawning colors was caught on a diver and shrimp set up on the Sol Duc River by an angler known as "HairDew" during a fishing outing with Jerry Wright of Jerry's Bait & Tackle.
Claire Young/WDFW A young crabber holds his catch off the coast of Washington.

OUTDOORS: Recreational crab summer season to open July 1

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Thursday that summer crab-fishing seasons will begin July 1 in the Strait of Juan de… Continue reading

Claire Young/WDFW A young crabber holds his catch off the coast of Washington.
Submitted photo The NW Region of Salmon For Soldiers is seeking boat captains to take veterans out on the water for the annual Sekiu Summer Slam salmon fishing outing on Aug. 5. These vets found success during the event in August of 2021.

OUTDOORS: Boat captains needed for Aug. 5 veterans outing in Sekiu

Crabbing workshop Thursday in Port Hadlock

Submitted photo The NW Region of Salmon For Soldiers is seeking boat captains to take veterans out on the water for the annual Sekiu Summer Slam salmon fishing outing on Aug. 5. These vets found success during the event in August of 2021.
Vicki Wallner hauled in this 64-inch long halibut estimated at 134 pounds in the waters of Marine Area 5 while fishing for lingcod over Memorial Day weekend.

OUTDOORS: Giant halibut landed on light tackle as lingcod outing turns ‘unexpected’

Port Angeles angler catches a sea beast

Vicki Wallner hauled in this 64-inch long halibut estimated at 134 pounds in the waters of Marine Area 5 while fishing for lingcod over Memorial Day weekend.
Sequim's Don Early said he caught this nice halibut within 30 minutes of hitting the water off Port Angeles over the weekend.

OUTDOORS: More halibut dates added off Pacific coast

Thursday through Sunday schedule for Neah Bay starting June 8

Sequim's Don Early said he caught this nice halibut within 30 minutes of hitting the water off Port Angeles over the weekend.
North Olympic Chapter of Puget Sound Anglers North Olympic Chapter of Puget Sound Anglers members greet the arrival of the first derelict crab pots to be removed from Sequim and Discovery bays last Saturday. Crab pot removal will continue through June 15.

OUTDOORS: Halibut goes to 7 days a week June 1 off Port Angeles, Sekiu, Puget Sound

halibut fishing is closed Monday and will reopen on a seven-day-a-week basis June 1 off Marine Area… Continue reading

North Olympic Chapter of Puget Sound Anglers North Olympic Chapter of Puget Sound Anglers members greet the arrival of the first derelict crab pots to be removed from Sequim and Discovery bays last Saturday. Crab pot removal will continue through June 15.
Max Ross recently caught this halibut while fishing the western portion of Marine Area 6.

OUTDOORS: Halibut quota take pointing toward added time

A HALIBUT CATCH update recently provided by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife shows plenty of quota remaining for the North Coast (Neah Bay… Continue reading

Max Ross recently caught this halibut while fishing the western portion of Marine Area 6.
Mukilteo angler Alex Malysheff, right, caught and released this lancetfish while halibut fishing off Neah Bay. A number of lancetfish, usually a tropical species, have washed up on West Coast shores in recent weeks.

OUTDOORS: Lancetfish no stranger to area seas, shores

Deep sea denizen caught and released off Neah Bay, washing ashore on West Coast

Mukilteo angler Alex Malysheff, right, caught and released this lancetfish while halibut fishing off Neah Bay. A number of lancetfish, usually a tropical species, have washed up on West Coast shores in recent weeks.