Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
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DAVENPORT-Don't celebrate yet, but as of this issue, spring is less than a month away as the snow begins to melt here in town. While many will look forward to the prospect of warmer temperatures and equate that with more outdoors opportunities, there are still a few options while winter is still on scene.
However, it remains undeniably true that options will increase come spring time.
The Times caught up with Lincoln County Fish and Wildlife officer Curt Wood to check in on some outdoor activity options now and look ahead to spring opportunities.
Fishing
Fishing at Lake Roosevelt is the most popular outdoor activity right now, Wood said. Right now, the best success is occurring on the Spokane River arm in areas like Fort Spokane, Porcupine Bay and Deer Meadows.
"The Spokane arm is the best fishing right now," Wood said. "People are catching some rainbow trout...I've also heard of people picking up some kokanees."
Walleye salmon season is coming in March.
Wood has also heard of a few trout catches "here and there" at Long Lake and a few catches at Hog Canyon and Fourth of July Lakes, which are open for winter fishing through the end of March, though ice fishing hasn't been much of an option this year due to a mild winter.
"There may be a skim (of ice) here and there, but it's not safe," Wood said.
March 1, Coffeepot Lake opens for fishing, but with several restrictions, including no bait.
"People need to check their fishing pamphlets for all the rules," Wood said.
Twin Lakes remains open, as it is year-round.
Fishermen and fisherwomen can look forward to the fourth weekend of April, when more lakes will open for spring fishing.
Hunting
Most hunting seasons popular in Lincoln County have run their course, but spring turkey hunting is coming.
"There is going to be a youth hunt April 3-4," Wood said. "The regular season opens April 15 and runs to May 31. Again, consult your pamphlet for regulations."
There must be visible beards on turkeys tagged, meaning they must be mostly toms, though some females do have beards.
Cougar season runs until the end of March with current hunting tags. Wood has heard of a "fair number" of cougars legally hunted and killed this season.
"There's been several," he said. "I'd guess between four and six."
He also said there have been instances of cougars killing or attacking livestock. Most cougar sightings and killings occur in northern Lincoln County, with very few toward the southern border.
"We receive reports of sightings all the time," he said. "We took one out yesterday (Feb. 17) up at Porcupine Bay. That was a big cat."
Coyote season runs year-round, but here, it's been mostly uneventful, Wood said.
"By the time you see them, they're usually off and running," he said. "They're gone."
Wolf sightings
There have been a "couple" wolf sightings this season. One report came in January on Miles Creston Road in the Hawk Creek/Seven Bays area.
"It certainly looked like a collared wolf," Wood said.
A report of a collared wolf came later that month north of Sprague, and may have been the same wolf, Wood noted.
"Sightings are getting to be sort of common, but there haven't been any (major) problems yet," Wood said. "It's mostly just sightings."
Prospective hunters and fishers can check their pamphlets for all fishing and hunting seasons and guidelines.
Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.
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