No need to wait until spring to catch fish, spot wildlife

Temperatures are warming, birds are singing, and spring chinook salmon will soon be moving into the lower Columbia River from the ocean. Spring is still a ways off, but February offers 11 hours of daylight and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

Meanwhile, there are several other great fisheries and outdoor activities available this month including:

• Rainbow trout: Anglers are reeling in trout from lakes on both sides of the Cascades, including through the ice in eastern and north central Washington.
• Waterbirds of Washington: Join us live for a short presentation and a virtual tour to visit some of the best viewing and hunting locations for ducks, swans, and geese around the state. Saturday, Feb. 20 at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Pre-registration is not required.
• Great Backyard Bird Count: Birders of all levels of experience are invited to count the number of birds they see in a 15-minute period and enter their tallies, by species, online. Participants can conduct their count Feb. 12-15 in their own backyards, a neighborhood park, or anywhere they choose.
• Habitat at Home: With spring just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about gardening plans. The department’s new Habitat at Home Program can help you learn how to create habitat for wildlife at your home, regardless of how much space you have or where you live.

For more information about these and other opportunities to enjoy Washington’s great outdoors, see the Weekender Regional Reports. These reports are updated throughout the month to provide current information about recreational opportunities around the state.