Outdoors

The Big Hurt.

ADVENTURE SPORTS: Big Hurt returns to Port Angeles Sept. 23

Prepare for an unparalleled celebration of athleticism, camaraderie and sheer determination as The Big Hurt multisport weekend makes its return on Sept.… Continue reading

The Big Hurt.

OUTDOORS: Wild coho, Chinook closed in western Strait

Salmon fishing east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line in Marine Area 4 has been closed through Sept. 30, though wild coho west of the… Continue reading

The WDFW is allowing two additional pink salmon per days in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca because of a strong run of Fraser River pinks. (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)

AREA SPORTS BRIEFS: Bonus pink salmon catch approved by WDFW

Pink salmon daily limit increased this weekend in Marine Areas 5, 6, and 7 (Sekiu, eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca and the… Continue reading

The WDFW is allowing two additional pink salmon per days in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca because of a strong run of Fraser River pinks. (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)
Lake Stevens' Chelsey Schiessl reeled in her first-ever king while fishing out of Van Ripers' Resort in Sekiu with her husband MatthewSchiessl.

OUTDOORS: NOAA warns large marine heatwave could lead to a return of the Blob

Warm water off shore

Lake Stevens' Chelsey Schiessl reeled in her first-ever king while fishing out of Van Ripers' Resort in Sekiu with her husband MatthewSchiessl.
Lake Steven's Taylor Morris found success chinook fishing off Sekiu last weekend before the king fishery closed Aug. 15.

OUTDOORS: With kings now closed, pinks take over Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound

IT’S A PRIME time for pinks as the humpbacked, odd-year schools make their way along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. “Last week was the… Continue reading

Lake Steven's Taylor Morris found success chinook fishing off Sekiu last weekend before the king fishery closed Aug. 15.
A Puget Sound coonstripe dock shrimp. (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)

OUTDOORS: Non-spot shrimp open in Marine Area 6

Marine Area 6 (Strait of Juan de Fuca from Low Point east to Point Wilson, Port Townsend) opened Tuesday for the recreational harvest… Continue reading

A Puget Sound coonstripe dock shrimp. (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)
Mason's Resort Sam Rutledge caught this good-sized king while fishing Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay) out of Mason's Resort.

OUTDOORS: Great American Outdoors Act leads to free day in National Parks Friday

Today is a free day in our national parks as part of Great American Outdoors Day. Civil rights leader and U.S. Rep. John D. Lewis,… Continue reading

Mason's Resort Sam Rutledge caught this good-sized king while fishing Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay) out of Mason's Resort.
John L. Beath The Quinault Nation canoe cuts through Freshwater Bay on the way to the mouth of the Elwha River and passes the downrigger line of Sequim angler John L. Beath during a July 23 fishing outing.

OUTDOORS: Spinning wheels set this weekend

Tour de Lavender in Sequim on Saturday; Ride the Hurricane to the Ridge Sunday

John L. Beath The Quinault Nation canoe cuts through Freshwater Bay on the way to the mouth of the Elwha River and passes the downrigger line of Sequim angler John L. Beath during a July 23 fishing outing.
Ride the Hurricane.

OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK: Ride the Hurricane to be held Sunday

Olympic National Park will host Ride the Hurricane, a recreational cycling event Sunday morning. To provide a safe experience for the event,… Continue reading

Ride the Hurricane.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife has added days to the halibut season and increased the daily limit. (David Bergeron/WDFW)

OUTDOORS: Days added, daily limit increased for halibut

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced this week additional recreational halibut fishing dates through most of the Strait of Juan de… Continue reading

The Department of Fish and Wildlife has added days to the halibut season and increased the daily limit. (David Bergeron/WDFW)

AREA SPORTS: Daily limit raised to two hatchery kings off Sekiu

Will be in effect through Aug. 15

Jason Headley of Port Hadlock had success during the Marine Area 9 opener last week, taking home limits of chinook with fishing partner Don Arnett of Diamond Point last Thursday and Friday.

OUTDOORS: Midchannel Bank busy as always, but productive

Port Townsend fishery

Jason Headley of Port Hadlock had success during the Marine Area 9 opener last week, taking home limits of chinook with fishing partner Don Arnett of Diamond Point last Thursday and Friday.
WDFW photo Shrimping days were added in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

OUTDOORS: Spot shrimp fishing to reopen in eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca

Recreational shrimp fishing will reopen in some Puget Sound marine areas, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Monday. Following review of… Continue reading

WDFW photo Shrimping days were added in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Craig Velthuysen caught this hatchery chinook estimated around 17 pounds with a hoochie recently on an early morning bite off Sekiu.

OUTDOORS: Sekiu auction Saturday benefits veterans salmon outing

Entire Quillayute River system closing to fishing Saturday

Craig Velthuysen caught this hatchery chinook estimated around 17 pounds with a hoochie recently on an early morning bite off Sekiu.
Crabbers hauled in limits of Dungeness crab like this around the North Olympic Peninsula during the opening weekend of the summer recreational crabbing season.

OUTDOORS: King season opener on fire in Area 6

THE CHINOOK OPENER was hot off Port Angeles and Sekiu with catch rates nearing a fish per angler in some creel check locations as strong… Continue reading

Crabbers hauled in limits of Dungeness crab like this around the North Olympic Peninsula during the opening weekend of the summer recreational crabbing season.

OUTDOORS: Late-summer halibut plan bumps annual limit to 6

Added time would run Aug. 17-Sept. 30

Chris Chandler of Redmond, Ore. caught this hatchery chinook estimated to weight about 15 pounds, while fishing off Sekiu during a 2020 trip with Tom Burlingame's Excel Fishing Charters.

OUTDOORS: Saturday is the big day for king anglers, crabbers

Do anglers toss and turn the night before salmon season opens along the Strait of Juan de Fuca like children awaiting the unwrapping of presents… Continue reading

Chris Chandler of Redmond, Ore. caught this hatchery chinook estimated to weight about 15 pounds, while fishing off Sekiu during a 2020 trip with Tom Burlingame's Excel Fishing Charters.
Anthony Nillson and Mike Surdyk caught these good-sized kings off Neah Bay near Mushroom Rock and Skagway in about 30 feet of water on the chinook opener last Saturday. (Mike Surdyk)

OUTDOORS: Neah Bay kings found closer to shore

Bait, cooler temperatures

Anthony Nillson and Mike Surdyk caught these good-sized kings off Neah Bay near Mushroom Rock and Skagway in about 30 feet of water on the chinook opener last Saturday. (Mike Surdyk)
Jerry's Bait and Tackle This steelhead in spawning colors was caught on a diver and shrimp set up on the Sol Duc River by an angler known as "HairDew" during a fishing outing with Jerry Wright of Jerry's Bait & Tackle.

OUTDOORS: Heat bubble passes, cool water off Pacific Coast

Could help improve coho and king fishing the next few years

Jerry's Bait and Tackle This steelhead in spawning colors was caught on a diver and shrimp set up on the Sol Duc River by an angler known as "HairDew" during a fishing outing with Jerry Wright of Jerry's Bait & Tackle.
Claire Young/WDFW A young crabber holds his catch off the coast of Washington.

OUTDOORS: Recreational crab summer season to open July 1

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Thursday that summer crab-fishing seasons will begin July 1 in the Strait of Juan de… Continue reading

Claire Young/WDFW A young crabber holds his catch off the coast of Washington.