State fisheries managers are predicting a very impressive spring chinook return — the fourth largest since at least 1980 — for the Columbia River in 2012.

The forecast calls for 314,200 upriver spring chinook to enter the Columbia River. The largest on record occurred in 2001 when 440,300 returned.

"It is good a good spring chinook return for sure, and we'll have about 100,000 more fish than last year (when 221,200 returned with a forecast of 198,400) so we should be able to start off with a better fishing season," Cindy LeFleur, the state Fish and Wildlife Columbia River Policy Coordinator said.

LeFleur says 277,400 are expected to be four-year-old spring chinook, and 36,400 will be larger-sized five-year-old fish.

Salmon stocks are taking advantage of La Nina's colder water upwelling conditions in the ocean that produces good survival rates.

The Columbia River spring chinook are prized by anglers for their tasty, Omega-3 laced, red-orange-colored meat, which is similar to fish from Alaska's Copper River.

A few early spring chinook return in January and February, but the height of the run is March and April when thousands of anglers turn out for this popular fishery that creates long lines at boat ramps on both sides of the Columbia. It is also a big boost for tribal and nontribal commercial fishermen.

A total of 154,895 angler trips were taken on the Lower Columbia last year with 11,694 spring chinook kept.

Last year, sport fishing for spring chinook in the Lower Columbia River was open from Jan. 1 to April 4, and reopened April 8-19 and May 15 to June 15.

The 2012 adult spring chinook returns for the Cowlitz, Kalama and Lewis rivers — tributaries of the Lower Columbia — look slightly better than last year with a total forecast of 12,100 compared to 10,600 forecast in 2011 and an actual return of 6,300.

The Cowlitz forecast is 8,700 (4,100 returned last year); Kalama, 700 (800); and Lewis, 2,700 (1,400). The spawning goals in the Cowlitz and Lewis are 1,250 each; and the Kalama is 500. Spring chinook fishing restrictions could happen in the Kalama and Lewis.

The Willamette River on the Oregon side of the Lower Columbia is predicted to be 83,400. Last year, the forecast was 104,100 with an actual return was 80,254.

If the Willamette forecast pans out then it would rank second behind 2010 return of 110,000 spring chinook.

The forecast for spring chinook in tributaries above Bonneville Dam like the Wind River, White Salmon River and Drano Lake usually come out in late January.

Fishing seasons will be decided by state, federal and tribal fishery managers in Oregon City on Jan. 26.

Notes

• The Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center at the Howard Miller Steelhead Park in Rockport is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday through Jan. 29 for public and private school educational programs.

The center also hosts guest speakers during specific times, and on Sundays there are Eagle information and guided walks along the Skagit River through the Howard Miller Steelhead Park. Details: www.skagiteagle.org or 360-853-7626.

• Those planning a winter getaway to Eastern Washington should pack their fishing gear for some decent winter opportunities.

Southwest Spokane County's Hog Canyon Lake, 10 miles northeast of Sprague, has rainbow trout ranging from 9 to 16 inches, according to state Fish and Wildlife biologist Chris Donley, who tested the waters over Thanksgiving weekend. Both Hog Canyon and Fourth of July lakes have a daily catch limit of five trout, but only two can be over 14 inches.

The other winter season trout lakes are in Stevens County Hatch Lake, about five miles southeast of Colville, and Williams Lake, 14 miles north of Colville.

Other lakes open year-round are include Rock Lake in Whitman County, Sprague Lake on the Lincoln-Adams county line, and Waitts Lake in Stevens County. Net-pen-reared rainbows offer a good winter fishery at Lake Roosevelt.

Three Okanogan County lakes are open to catch-and-keep fishing for rainbow trout. Big Green, Little Green, and Rat lakes all have a daily catch limit of five trout.

Patterson Lake near Winthrop can also be good for yellow perch during the winter. Bait can be used year-round and there is no daily limit on perch.

Those heading to certain lakes should know that WDFW access sites require anglers to display the WDFW vehicle use permits. Non-fishing recreationists who use the access sites for other activities need to have a Discover Pass.

• During the holiday season, several Audubon Society Chapters conduct the annual Christmas Bird Counts throughout Washington. The Audubon needs veteran and novice wildlife watcher to contribute their sightings over a 24-hour period to the world's longest-running bird database. Details: www.wos.org.

• The next coastal razor clam dig are tentatively scheduled for Dec. 22, -0.9 at 4:40 p.m. at Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks; and Dec. 23, -1.4 at 5:29 p.m. at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks. More digs are also planned later in January as well as more during spring time. Some of those specific dates should be announced by early January.

• Mountain Madness, Inc. is offering avalanche awareness clinics in association with the Friends of the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center. The informational clinic is open to all winter recreationists. Dates: Jan. 10, 7-8:30 p.m. at the Seattle REI store; Jan. 9, 6:30-8 p.m. at Second Ascent in Seattle; Jan, 12, 6-8 p.m. at the Evo store in Seattle; and Feb. 15, 7-8:30 p.m. at the REI store in Tukwila. Details: www.mountainmadness.com.

• The Washington Fly Fishing Club is hosting three fly-fishing classes:

An eight-week Beginning Fly-Tying Class is held every Thursday, and starts Jan. 5 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Mercer Island Covenant Church, 3200 78th S.E. on Mercer Island. The class is taught by WFFC members. Anglers will learn to tie 15 Northwest trout fly patterns, as well as, receiving personal instruction on common fly tying skills, and will receive a class manual. A DVD showing close-ups of the flies being tied is also available. Cost is $35, and the DVD is $10.

A six-week Beginning Fly-Casting Class is held every Thursday, and starts April 5 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Green Lake Casting Pier. The class is taught by Federation of Fly Fishing Certified Casting Instructors and other WFFC members. Cost is $50, and limited to 36 fly anglers.

The Advanced Fly-Casting Class is four weekly sessions starting April 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Green Lake Casting Pier. The class is taught by WFFC members all Federation of Fly Fishing Certified Casting Instructors. Cost is $50, and limited to 10 fly anglers. Details: 206-200-3909.

• The Roche Harbor's Salmon Classic Invitational is Feb. 2-4 at Roche Harbor Marine & Resort on San Juan Island. Limited to 100 boat limits (four anglers per boat). First place is $10,000. Cost is $700, plus sales tax $54.60, which includes moorage and angler's dinner all three nights. Details: 360-378-5562 or email at market@rocheharbor.com.

• The Northshore Trout Unlimited meeting is the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center, 18560 1st Ave. NE in Shoreline. Details: http://northshoretu.blogspot.com.

• Mount St. Helens climbing permits are on sale. Cost is $22. Permits are required year-round to climb above 4,800 feet. Details: 360-891-5007 or www.mshinstitute.org.

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

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

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

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