Outdoors

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, that a portion of the Cowlitz River will be open to recreational dip netting along the shore from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Tuesday, March 2, 2021, only.

Bill to require licenses for smelt dipping moves through Legislature

February 6, 2023, 1:24pm Latest News

Whenever smelt dips open along the Cowlitz River, thousands turn out to catch a bucket of the small silver fish. Read story

Full limit of 15 razor clams dug south of the Oysterville approach at the northern end of Long Beach Peninsula.

Mocrocks, Copalis beaches open for razor clam digging

February 3, 2023, 3:04pm Latest News

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers confirmed Friday the reopening at Mocrocks beaches Feb. 4 followed by opportunities Feb. 6 and Feb. 8. This is in addition to Copalis Beach open on Feb. 5 and Feb. 7. Read story

3 days of razor clam digging on Copalis Beach starts Feb. 3

February 1, 2023, 3:38pm Latest News

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife shellfish managers confirmed Wednesday that razor clam digging will reopen at Copalis Beach on Friday, Feb. 3, followed by additional opportunities on Feb. 5 and Feb. 7. Read story

There are many culprits that contribute toward declining sturgeon populations. Bonneville Dam operations and predation from Steller sea lions contribute significant impacts, according to officials. There could also be influences from climate change, prey availability, contaminants and even thiamine deficiencies.

Sturgeon numbers sinking in Columbia River

February 1, 2023, 6:01am Clark County News

Sturgeon in the lower Columbia River aren’t facing extinction but may face the risk of becoming a dwindling population if current trends persist. Read story

Group of Steller sea lions resting on a green buoy, Salish Sea, Washington state.

Sea lions, seals might be hampering Washington salmon recovery. What can be done?

January 29, 2023, 6:00am Latest News

The earthy, fishy smell wafted aboard Joseph Gaydos’ research vessel first. Then came the guttural growls. Read story

Fall for Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls sees more than 2 million visitors per year, making it the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest.

January 27, 2023, 6:00am Life

My day started 33 minutes late, at 6:33 a.m. Saturday. With big plans to make it to Oregon to visit the legendary Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge during daylight hours, I had to start my weekend a little earlier than usual. Read story

Prospects good for at least 1 Cowlitz River smelt dip

A smelt dip on the Cowlitz River brings about a festival atmosphere as folks gather to have fun, and hopefully end up with a mess of smelt.

January 26, 2023, 6:04am Editor's Choice

As February approaches, local sportsmen and women start to think about smelt dipping. Will the popular smelt dip take place on the Cowlitz River this year, or is the run supposed to be too depressed to allow recreational harvest? Read story

Users push Port of Ridgefield to expand, add boat ramps, make other improvements

Some boaters and anglers using the Ridgefield boat launch on Mill Street, left, want to see the launch either expanded or a new launch built.

January 24, 2023, 6:04am Business Subscriber Exclusive

When the Port of Ridgefield began looking at options for developing its 40-acre waterfront property last year, expanding or improving its two boat launches wasn’t among them. The popular launches — a two-lane facility for boats, and a separate concrete put-in area for kayaks — provide access to Lake River,… Read story