High hopes for coastal lingcod fishery | Outdoors notebook

The coastal lingcod fishery reopened Saturday, and anglers are dusting off their gear in anticipation of what should be another excellent season.

"Lingcod are very abundant on the south central coast, and 10 years ago they were deemed overfished by a heavy commercial fishery, but since then their population has been stabilized," said Mark Cedergreen, president of the Westport Charterboat Association. "Fishing is very good in the spring, and the fish tend to be bigger."

Lingcod fishing off La Push, Westport and Ilwaco is open daily through mid-October. The minimum size is 22 inches, and the daily limit is two lingcod.

The bonus in this spring fishery is that charters will head out first in the morning to target abundant black rockfish (10 fish daily limit), and then head out to deeper water in search of lingcod.

Crossing the bar at these three ports can be dangerous during the spring months mostly due to fast changing weather and rough ocean conditions. Those planning to venture out on their own boat should make sure everything is in good working order and their boat is seaworthy.

Otherwise those new to the fishery should stay with a charter business, since they know the hot spots in the vast ocean off the coast.

Lingcod prefer an uneven bottom along rocky pinnacles, ledges, drop-offs, reefs and jetties, Good lingcod bait are flounder, kelp greenling, horse herring or artificial scampi-type jigs.

The northern coast off Neah Bay reopens April 16 for lingcod.

Those looking for non-fishing coastal activities can book a trip on a charter boat for a day of gray whale watching.

Spring marks the start of the gray whale migration as they head north to feeding grounds in Alaska and the Bering Sea.

Some of the best whale watching occurs at Westport now through the end of May, and charters offer two hour trips for sightseers to get an up close look of these magnificent creatures.

"Since we're in an El Niño year, the whales are moving up this way sooner than usual; we've seen 'Old Spot,' the elder male, here in the harbor already," says Ingrid Tenggren of Ocean Charters. "The gray Wwales are mainly seen just outside our harbor, by Ocean Shores in a place we locals call 'The Whale Hole.' We also see whales here in the harbor, where they rest on their journey north."

If you don't want to venture out on a boat there are many shoreline areas to view whales through scopes and binoculars as well.

Try the Westport South Beach jetty and climb the tower, the Gray's Harbor Lighthouse or the beaches from Westport down to Twin Harbors.

Notes

• The Eastside Puget Sound Anglers meeting is 7 p.m. March 17 at the North Bellevue Community Center, 4063 148th Ave. N.E. Ryan Bigley of Three Rivers Marine and Soundbite Sport Fishing will discuss spring chinook techniques. Details: www.eastsidepsa.com.

• The Eastside Audubon will host a classroom session at 7 p.m. March 18 in Kirkland with Brian Bell to explore woodpeckers in Washington. There will also be a field trip on March 20 and May 22. Details: 425-576-8805 or www.eastsideaudubon.org.

• The Pheasants Forever Puget Sound Chapter 257 banquet is March 27 at the Tacoma Yacht Club. Details: 206-618-0816.

• The Lake Washington Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation Hunting Heritage banquet and auction is 4 p.m. March 20 at the Issaquah Hilton Garden Inn. Cost is $70 singles and $95 couples. Details: 206-914-7916 or www.lakewanwtf.org.

• Wholesale Sports Outdoor Outfitters in Federal Way will present "The Fundamentals of Fly Casting" classes, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on March 20. Cost is $50. Instructor is Darrel Martin, a certified Federation of Fly-Fishers instructor. Details: 253-835-4100.

• The Northwest Fly Anglers Club offers a beginning eight week fly casting class with certified casting instructors. Classes meet every Tuesday from April 6-May 25 at the Green Lake casting pier in Seattle. Cost is $40. Details: 425-486-5011.

• The Lake City Way Chapter of Ducks Unlimited banquet is 5:30 p.m. March 24 at the Lake City Elks Lodge, 14504 Lake City Way N.E. in Seattle. Details: 206-755-1411.

• The Kitsap Coastal Conservation Association banquet is 4:30 p.m. March 27 at Sons of Norway, 18891 Front St. in Poulsbo. Cost is $60. Details: 360-620-4153.

• Lake Sammamish State Park and Issaquah Paddle Sports are offering kayak nature tours at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. March 27. A state park ranger will present an on-the-water program about the Great Blue Heron, and other wildlife viewing. Cost is $5, plus $10 for single kayak or $15 for doubles. Preregistration is required. Details: 206-527-1825 or 866-306-1825.

• The Tacoma Chapter of Trout Unlimited will host the Global Day of Service Clean-Up is 9 a.m.-noon April 17 on the Puyallup River. Details: Rosendo64@yahoo.com or www.troutunlimitedwashington.org.

• The Issaquah Alps Trails Club hosts weekly hikes and meets in downtown Issaquah. Details: www.issaquahalps.org.

• The Washington Sea Grant and Port of Seattle Fishermen's Terminal are hosting a Coast Guard-approved First Aid at Sea Course, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., March 23 at the Nordby Building in Fishermen's Terminal in Seattle. Cost is $80. Details: 206-543-1225.

• 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 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