#wdfw

Last week we welcomed some very special guests to their new home in the Mount Rainier area. Biologists, researchers, and supporters of the Washington state fisher reintroduction project from the Mount Rainier National Park, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Conservation Northwest, along with other partners, celebrated achieving their goal of reintroducing 160 fishers in the Cascades with a final release of four fishers. These two male and two juvenile female fishers were trapped from Alberta, Canada where they cleared their health scans and received a little extra pampering before making their way to Mount Rainier. On Friday morning, in the beginning of a snowstorm, the fishers were warmly welcomed with well wishes and released from the Longmire Stewardship Campground. 

The completion of the release phase of the fisher reintroduction project serves as an important milestone in efforts to restore a key player in our natural ecosystem and cultural heritage. The project as a whole is far from completion as biologists and researchers will increase monitoring efforts to track fisher health, reproduction rates, and impacts of their reintroduction. Early data suggests that fishers are very resilient and that their populations should become sustainable within a few generations. 

By Jim Muck/USFWS

Photo: A young angler shows off her catch at the 4th Annual  Panhandle Lake Family Fishing Funday at the 4-H Camp in Shelton, Washington on June 9, 2018. Credit: USFWS    

 Food, live music, raffle prizes, pony rides, free fishing rods and lots of hungry trout to catch. Now that’s a recipe for a good time! The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) was happy to support the 4th Annual Panhandle Lake Family Fishing Funday at the 4-H Camp in Shelton, Washington on June 9, 2018.  This support was well received and utilized, especially given record turnout!

With many of the participants being first time anglers, the USFWS staff from the Washington Fish & Wildlife Office (Lacey, WA) focused on providing skill building opportunities.  The main activity at the learning station was a casting game.  Retrievable plastic fish targets, or “Backyard Bass”, were placed at different distances and kids were able to cast and reel in the big one.  Through trial and error and encouragement and instruction from USFWS staff, even the youngest anglers were able to cast their lure and bring one in.  Other activities included fish identification and knot tying.  For fish identification, laminated printouts of different fish species were available with a key to step through on how to identify the fish based on color, fins, size of mouth, etc.  In addition to being a fun challenge, this activity was related to the state fishing regulations booklet and the need to properly identify fish in order to help determine whether or not to keep or release them.

Photo: Anglers, many for the first time, look to reel in their catch at Panhandle Lake in Shelton, WA., Credit: USFWS

With over 160 youth and an overall estimated 250 total participants, this Panhandle Lake Family Fishing Funday surpassed the previous three years combined!   And it was all smiles as there were no shortage of fish caught thanks to the generous stocked trout donation as well as gear and staffing support from Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.  In addition to walking home with a fish to fry up, these young participants also received a free rod and reel thanks to 4-H and other generous partners such as the Puget Sound Anglers.  

Photo: Young anglers work on their casting techniques, Credit: USFWS

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, in coordination with businesses and organizations, provides numerous kids fishing events throughout Washington.  Most of these are held from April through June. More information on these events can be found at:

photo Kevin Bacher, NPS

Fishing Rule Change Closes The Nooksack River to Fishing

Whatcom County, WA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has closed the Nooksack River and all forks to fishing until further notice, effective January 1st, 2017.

According to a release from the WDFW, the closure affects all species of fish and includes the following locations:

The Nooksack River from the mouth to the confluence of the North and South Forks.

The North Fork…

WDFW Breaches Dike at Fir Island Farms Estuary to Benefit Fish, Farmers and Wildlife

Mount Vernon, Washington – According to a press release from Jenna Friebel with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, ocean water flowed across 131 acres at the  Fir Island Farms estuary today for the first time in recent memory. 

Photo: WDFW

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and partners breached a 3,110 foot long dike in a culminating effort to restore estuary…