State fishery managers expect another strong run of adult spring chinook to the Columbia River this year. The fishery is open now below the Interstate 5 Bridge, but it usually doesn’t catch fire until March when the fishery expands upriver to Bonneville Dam and beyond.

“This is a good time to dust off your gear, order your bait, prepare your boat, and maybe do a little prospecting,” said Joe Hymer, a fish biologist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). “You want to be ready to go when the bulk of the run arrives.”

For information about the spring chinook season, see the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/jan2815b/.

Several other promising fishing opportunities available this month include:

• Blackmouth salmon: More areas of Puget Sound are opening to fishing for blackmouth chinook salmon, including Hood Canal, Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon) and – later in the month – Sekiu.
• Rainbow trout: Anglers fishing Lake Roosevelt in northeast Washington have been reeling in some nice rainbow trout. Anglers at many other lakes open to trout fishing also are doing well.

• Razor clams: An evening dig continues through Feb. 6, and another is tentatively planned Feb. 15-22. For details, check the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/current.html.

• Squid: This is also prime time to jig for squid in Puget Sound. For more information on fishing for squid in the Sound, check WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/squid/howto_fish.html.

Anglers and hunters eager to gear up for seasons ahead will have several good chances to do so at a trio of sportsmen’s shows in the coming weeks. They include the Pacific Northwest Sportsmen’s Show, Feb. 4-8 in Portland; the Central Washington Sportsmen Show, Feb. 20-22 in Yakima; and the Big Horn Outdoor Adventure Show, March 19-22 in Spokane. WDFW will have booths at all three events, which also feature fly-casting pools, trophy displays, and experts on topics ranging from fly fishing to elk bugling.

Rather count birds for science? All it takes is 15 minutes of your time to contribute to the Great Backyard Bird Count. From Feb.13-16, birders of all levels of experience are invited to count the number of birds they see in a 15-minute period and enter their tally, by species, online at http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc. Participants can conduct their count in their own backyards, in a neighborhood park or anywhere they choose.

For more information about these and other opportunities to enjoy Washington’s great outdoors, see the Weekender Regional Reports posted on WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/weekender/. These reports are updated throughout the month to provide current information about recreational opportunities around the state.