Anglers looking for suggestions on where and how to fish in Washington should check out some of the new content on the Fish Washington website.
Launched in 2012 by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, the website provides anglers information on when, where and how to fish in the state. The address is http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/washington.
Recently the agency has added content for two main areas, saltwater areas and alpine lakes.
The site now provides additional details about fishing Washington’s Pacific coast, Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the San Juan Islands, Hood Canal and Puget Sound.
With the new information, the site now offers anglers information for some 3,800 square miles of saltwater.
The new saltwater section features include:
o Species calendars showing when to fish by area and species, including salmon, halibut, lingcod, rockfish, flounder, tuna, and other marine species.
o Mapping tools that enable anglers to plan their trips and gain information on shore and boat access.
oFishing tips that include YouTube instructional videos, “Fishing 101” lessons, fish preparation tips and information on public clam and oyster beaches.
o Fishing reports that give anglers information on where the bite is on.
“We are not giving away anyone’s secret fishing holes,” Dayv Lowry, a fisheries research biologist with the department, said in a news release. “But these improvements should make it easier for all anglers to prepare and plan for successful saltwater outings.”
The site also has expanded information on fishing high-elevation lakes.
The website now has new fishing information for hundreds of high lakes, including 60 “getting started” lakes.
“The new high lakes fishing section provides suggestions for scenic adventures in which angling is only part of the experience,” Chris Donley, inland fish program manager, said.
The high-elevation lakes section features include:
o Fish stocking data showing when, where and which species were stocked in high elevation lakes.
o Lake profiles including descriptions of the lakes, species to target, elevation and coordinates.
o Access details including trail information and notable geographic features.
The site also has “The Great Getaways” vacation planning section, providing information about family-friendly fishing vacations.
