As temperatures rise so should fishing success for summer Chinook salmon on the main stem of the Columbia River above Highway 173 bridge in Brewster, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
     "The fishery opened on July 1 with a few fish in the 15- to 20-pound range caught on trolled herring," said Bob Jateff, district fish biologist from Omak. "Fishing should improve considerably as more fish pass Wells Dam and move into the area off the mouth of the Okanogan River."
     Jateff reminded anglers that sockeye salmon also can be retained this year and count as part of the daily two adult salmon catch limit.
     He also noted that as of July 16, an additional section of the river will be open for fishing from Wells Dam upstream to the Highway 173 bridge in Brewster.
     A night closure and non-buoyant rule restriction is in place for the Okanogan River from the mouth upstream to the first Highway 97 bridge. Angler information signs will be posted at all boat launches, according to the department announcement.
     Rainbow trout fishing in the Methow River Valley also has been slow, Jateff reported, as river levels continue to be somewhat high due to runoff and recent rains.
     Selective gear rules are in effect as are catch-and-release-only rules. Anglers should check the regulation pamphlet carefully because the Methow, Twisp and Chewuch rivers have certain areas that are closed to all fishing, according to the announcement.
     Lake fishing in the Okanogan has been good, Jateff noted, with reports of trout being caught in the 14-inch range at most of the selective gear lakes. Little and Big Twin lakes near Winthrop, Big and Little Green lakes near Omak, and Rat Lake near Brewster are among them.
     Aeneas Lake, a fly fishing only water, received a plant of 500 triploid rainbow trout that run up to two pounds each and should provide good angling opportunity, Jateff said.
     Chopaka Lake, rehabilitated in fall 2007, received catchable-size rainbows this spring and is now producing good catches of 14- to 15-inch fish.
     Jateff also reported anglers are having good luck with bluegill and crappie in Leader Lake near Okanogan and with yellow perch in Patterson Lake near Winthrop.
     Smallmouth bass anglers are doing well in Palmer Lake near Loomis and in the Okanogan River, he said. Largemouth bass are the main species in Whitestone Lake near Tonasket.
     Wherever anglers go at this time of year, department officials urge caution with picnic or camp fires, and anything else that might inadvertently start a wildfire in vegetation that is lush from spring rains but drying out with summer heat.
     As for wildlife viewing, Scott Fitkin, district wildlife biologist from Winthrop, reported that bird watching is still excellent in the Okanogan, particularly along some of the riparian corridors and upper forests.
     "The Big Valley unit of the Methow Wildlife Area and other portions of the upper Methow Valley along the community trail are very active with birds now," he said.
     "The Sinlahekin Wildlife Area is also a good bet," he said. "Deciduous forest birds such as redstart, veery, Swainsons thrush, red eyed-vireo and yellow warbler are very vocal just before sunrise."
     Fitkin said mule deer fawns are more mobile and visible throughout the district now.
     "Glassing irrigated pastures from roadside at dawn or dusk is the best bet for seeing them," he said.
     "Black bears can also be seen at upper elevations in avalanche chutes and open meadows, or on lower elevation slopes where service berries are ripening," he said. "Again, early and late in the day are best times for spotting active animals."