Early indicators point to good Dungeness season

The preliminary outlook indicates crabbing should be good in many saltwater areas.

"We've been conducting crab test fisheries, and there has been some limited treaty fishing going on, and so far it looks pretty good," said Rich Childers, a state Fish and Wildlife shellfish policy coordinator.

Areas opening at 7 a.m. Wednesday include northern Puget Sound-Admiralty Inlet (Catch Area 9), the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca (6), Deception Pass to East Point (8-1), East Point to Possession Point (8-2), Central Puget Sound (10) and south central Puget Sound (11).

Fishing in those six areas will be allowed Wednesdays to Saturdays only through Sept. 7, plus the entire Labor Day weekend.

For those who can't wait, southern Puget Sound is currently open daily for crabs as well as the Sekiu area in the western Strait.

"Crab fishing pressure has been very high in South Sound, but the Nisqually and Zangle Cove [near Boston Harbor in Thurston County] have been kicking out good numbers of crab, and straight out in from Zittels Marina in 80 to 100 feet of water," said Tony Floor, director of fishing affairs with the Northwest Marine Trade Association.

Bellingham and Samish Bays (7 East) and San Juan Islands (7 South) will be open July 15-Sept. 30, and fishing is allowed Wednesdays through Saturdays only, plus the entire Labor Day weekend.

Hood Canal (12) will be open July 29-Jan. 2 on Wednesdays to Saturdays only, and all of Labor Day weekend.

The Lummi Island and Blaine area (7 North) will be open Aug. 12-Sept. 30 on Wednesdays to Saturdays only, plus the entire Labor Day weekend.

Starting this crab season, it is mandatory to file catch reports or else face a $10 fine that will be imposed when anglers apply for their 2010 fishing license.

The fine was necessary to increase catch card return rates, and gain more accuracy on sport catch estimates.

"We barely got 30 percent of the catch cards back last year [from 218,000 licensed crabbers]," Childers said. "We need to remind everyone to report catches on the Internet or by mail."

The daily catch limit in Puget Sound is five Dungeness crab, males only, in hard-shell condition with a minimum carapace width of 6¼ inches. Fishers may catch six red rock crab of either sex per day, provided those crab measure at least 5 inches across.

Volunteers needed in Dungeness crab study

Several tribes and other state agencies are conducting a study on why there has been a huge drop in Dungeness crab populations in Hood Canal.

As part of the study, volunteers who live near a beach or dock are needed to help track baby crab that come along the shorelines of Hood Canal and Puget Sound.

The instrument to use for the study is a black mesh bag filled with mesh Tuffy kitchen scrubbers attached to a small orange buoy and placed into the water.

"By collecting crab larvae, shellfish managers hope to find out where they came from," Paul Williams, a Suquamish shellfish biologist said in a news release. "In their last larval stage, they are called megalops due to their huge eyes. At this stage, they grab on to anything they encounter in order to determine if it is a good place to transform to bottom-dwelling, juvenile crab."

The decline of Dungeness crab is one of the main reasons for this study. Last year, there was a drop of 75 percent in the amount of Dungeness crab caught in the area, down from 700,000 pounds in 2005.

The study looks to see if Hood Canal crab originated from there or if they came from the coast or other areas of Puget Sound.

When crab eggs hatch, the larvae drift with tidal currents for up to six months before settling down to mature into adults in estuaries and other nearshore areas.

While this study looks at natural fluctuation of larvae coming from outside Puget Sound, a number of other causes may contribute to the decline, including overfishing, low dissolved oxygen and disease.

A complete collection kit and how to information will be provided to those who volunteer. For more information, go to http://sites.google.com/site/megalopasite/CQ.

Notes

• The City of Woodinville Parks and Recreation is holding an eight-week evening classes on the Basics of Fly Fishing with Dick Lange, an Alaskan Outfitter, July 2-Aug. 27, and a Basic Fly Tying 101, July 1-Aug. 19 at the Carol Edwards Center, 17401 133rd Ave. NE in Woodinville.

Cost is $39 for Woodinville residents and $44.85 for nonresidents, plus $15 for course manual. Details: 425-398-9327 or www.ci.woodinville.wa.us.

• The National Park Service has announced three fee-free weekends this summer.

At Mount Rainier and other national parks, all park entrance fees, including commercial tour entrance fees, will be waived on the following dates: July 18-19 and Aug. 15-16.

These fee-free weekends are in addition to the usual fee-free days: National Public Lands Day, which falls on Sept. 26 this year, and Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

The waiver does not include other fees, such as fees charged for camping, reservations, climbing, or use of concessions. Details: www.nps.gov.

• The new nonprofit Cascade Musky Association is looking for members. Cost is $25 or $35 for a couple/family membership. Details: www.cascademuskyassociation.com or www.wafish.com.

• The Washington Fly Fishing Club meeting is 5:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month at the Seattle Tennis Club. Please RSVP to attend meetings. Details: www.WFFC.com.

• The Mount St. Helens Institute offers a free Sunday Hiking Program series of 14 hikes in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest now through Oct. 25. The hikes range from easy to difficult, and are 4 to 10 miles round-trip. Space is limited and reservations are required. While the hikes are free, a $5 donation is suggested. Details: www.mshinstitute.org.

• The Western Bass Club meets every third Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Kennydale Hall in Renton. Details: www.westernbassclub.comor www.nickbarrfishing.com.

• The Washington Trails Association offers statewide trip reports and trail conditions. Details: www.wta.org.

• The Northwest Fly Anglers offer various public classes through the year. The public also is invited to club meetings on the third Thursday of each month, at the Haller Lake Community Center, 12579 Densmore Ave N., in North Seattle. Details: 206-684-7524.

• The Emerald Sea Dive Club offers year-round activities, including the big buddy program and weekly and monthly dives. The club meets on the first Wednesday of every month, 7-9 p.m. at Alfy's Pizza, 4820 196th SW in Lynnwood. Details: 425-775-2410 or www.emeraldseadiveclub.org.

• The Seattle Audubon Society offers field trips and classes every month. Details: 206-523-4483 or www.seattleaudubon.org.

• Northend Bassmasters is accepting new members who want to learn more about bass fishing. The group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Crystal Creek Cafe, 22620 Bothell-Everett Highway (Canyon Park) in Bothell. Details: 206-789-4259 or e-mail Gary Millard at glmillard@comcast.net.

Mark Yuasa: 206-464-8780 or myuasa@seattletimes.com