Action: Closes Kress Lake to fishing by the public for two days. The lake will open at 6:00 p.m., Saturday, May 17.

Effective Dates:

· May 16 12: 01 a.m., entire lake closed to public fishing

Action: Opens razor clam season

Effective dates: May 3 through May 7, 2008 (morning tides only)

Species affected: Razor clams

Location: Dates and low tides are:

Slightly lower than usual catch rates during Washington's lowland lake fishing season opener Saturday didn't bother most anglers, who were happy to enjoy long-awaited warm weather.

"We couldn't have asked for nicer weather for lowland lake opener," said Jon Anderson, a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) fish biologist, who compiled results from creel checks across the state.

Action: Open recreational fishing for halibut Marine Areas 1-4

Effective dates: Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco): Open 12:01 a.m. Thursday May 1, 2008, 7-days per week until 70% of the quota is reached, or until July 20, 2008 whichever comes first. The fishery will reopen on August 1, 2008 and continue three days a week, Friday through Sunday, until the remaining quota is reached, or Sept. 30, 2008 whichever comes first. It is unlawful to fish for, retain, or possess any bottomfish, except Pacific cod and sablefish with halibut on board.

OLYMPIA - The public has until May 30 to comment on a draft supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) recently issued for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's (WDFW) six-year game management plan.

OLYMPIA - Approval of proposed land transactions and briefings on cougar management, planning for future wolf management, and other topics are on the agenda for the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission when it meets in Colville May 2-3.

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has scheduled an informational open house May 8 in Acme to discuss a proposal to introduce wild turkeys to Whatcom County.

The public meeting is scheduled from 6-8p.m. at the Acme Elementary School, 5200 Turkington Rd.

OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON — Shooting clubs and range operators have until June 30 to apply for federally funded grants that can be used to construct, maintain or expand public shooting-range facilities in Washington state.

Snake River spring chinook fishery to open Action / Species affected: The Snake River below Ice Harbor Dam, and the area between Texas Rapids and about one mile upstream of Little Goose Dam, will open for spring/summer chinook fishing in late April 2008.

OLYMPIA - Shooting clubs and range operators have until June 30 to apply for federally funded grants that can be used to construct, maintain or expand public shooting-range facilities in Washington state. The grants, which are coordinated by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), are awarded each year through the department's Shooting Range Program. Approximately $50,000 in competitive grants are expected to be awarded this year, with individual awards ranging from $5,000 for small-scale grants to $25,000 for large-scale grants.

Action: Open lower and middle reaches of the Yakima River to fishing for hatchery spring chinook salmon.

Effective date: May 1, 2008 through May 31, 2008

Species affected: Hatchery chinook salmon

Action: Open the Ringold Area Bank Fishery for hatchery spring chinook Effective date: May 1, 2008 through June 15, 2008 Species affected: Chinook salmon Location: Waters of the Columbia River adjacent to Ringold Springs Rearing Facility (RSRF) in Franklin Co. from the WDFW markers ¼ mile downstream of the Ringold irrigation wasteway outlet to the markers ½ mile upstream of Ringold Springs Creek (hatchery outlet). Only the hatchery side of the river is open - bank fishing only; Ringold Springs Creek (hatchery outlet) is closed.

Action: Closes Columbia Park Pond to fishing two days prior to the youth fishing event, as well as the day of the event until 4 p.m. The area will re-open to all juvenile anglers at 4 p.m., Saturday, May 3.

Action: Emergency regulation to delay opening of fishing on Swift Reservoir from April 26 to May 24, 2008. Effective date: April 26, 2008 Species affected: Trout Location: Swift Reservoir in Skamania County, which is the uppermost reservoir of the three reservoirs on the North Fork Lewis River in Region 5.

OLYMPIA - Clam diggers today received the go-ahead to proceed with a morning razor clam dig starting April 19 at four ocean beaches after marine toxin tests showed the clams at those beaches are safe to eat.

Action: Closure of recreational spring chinook fishery in Chehalis River. Effective dates: April 16 through April 30, 2008. Species affected: Spring Chinook Location: Chehalis River: Areas include mouth to Porter Bridge, and from Porter Bridge to high bridge on Weyerhauser 1000 line.

Action: Closure of recreational spring chinook fishery in Chehalis River. Effective dates: April 16 through April 30, 2008. Species affected: Spring Chinook Location: Chehalis River: Areas include mouth to Porter Bridge, and from Porter Bridge to high bridge on Weyerhauser 1000 line.

OLYMPIA - A total of 2,000 hunters have been selected to participate in a 2008 multiple-season hunt offered by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Hunters randomly selected during the April 11 drawing will be eligible to purchase a special permit allowing them to participate in general archery, muzzleloader and modern-firearms hunting seasons for deer or elk in 2008.

KENNEWICK - Youngsters and families can connect with nature and learn outdoor skills at a Youth Outdoor Adventure Expo May 16-17 at the Benton County Fairgrounds here. The free expo, co-sponsored by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Go Play Outside Alliance of Washington (GoPAW), is open to the general public Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Great fishing opens close to home OLYMPIA - Great trout fishing for anglers throughout Washington gets under way April 26, when several hundred lowland lakes open for a four-to five-month-long season.