Outdoors | The Daily Chronicle

Children peddle their bikes around trails at Millersylvania State Park in 2022.

Same-day camping reservations now available at 26 Washington state parks

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission on Thursday its same-day reservation pilot program has expanded to 26 parks across the state. Additionally, the commission has … more

6/6/24

A mountain goat grazes at sunset near Paradise at Mount Rainier on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023.

Stevens Canyon Road reopens after $43 million project in Mount Rainier National Park

One of Mount Rainier National Park’s most scenic roads has reopened after an extensive $43-million, two-year rehabilitation project funded by the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/4/24

Centralia teen wins Westport Halibut Derby with 45-pound fish

Gavin Revel, 17, of Centralia, was the daily winner of the Westport Halibut Derby on May 30 after reeling in a 45.25-pound fish. Gavin, who goes fishing with his mother, Staci Revel, in … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/4/24

David Lee, from Portland, catches smelt on the Cowlitz River near Longview on Tuesday, March 5.

New Washington law requires fishing license for smelt, crawfish and carp

Outdoor recreationalists accustomed to pursuing freshwater smelt, crawfish and carp without a fishing license should take note: Gov. Jay Inslee has signed new legislation requiring Washington anglers … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/4/24

Ponytail Falls is found up a short trail from Horsetail Falls.

A complete guide to Oregon’s famous Waterfall Corridor in the Columbia River Gorge

If you want waterfalls, this is the place . The Waterfall Corridor of the Columbia River Gorge, an 8.5-mile stretch along the Historic Columbia River Highway that’s home to more than a … more

Jamie Hale / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 6/3/24

Out-of-staters flocked to Washington state to chase turkeys

The word about Eastern Washington's robust turkey populations is out. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officials say they are seeing an increase in nonresident turkey hunters who … more

Michael Wright / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 6/3/24

Why North Cascades is Washington state’s wildest national park

Visiting a national park in Washington while enjoying a modicum of solitude has become a logistical feat: This summer, Mount Rainier National Park requires timed-entry reservations for Sunrise and … more

Gregory Scruggs / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 5/31/24

Washington campers asked to not transport firewood

Several state agencies are asking campers and outdoor enthusiasts to not move firewood and instead buy it where they burn it this camping season. The request is being made to limit the spread of … more

By Vince Richardson / The Skagit Valley Herald (TNS) | 5/24/24

Mount Rainier National Park's timed-entry system starts this Friday

If you're looking to get out to Mount Rainier National Park this Memorial Day weekend, you're going to have to book an entry reservation. Beginning on Friday, May 24, Mount Rainier visitors … more

Rosemary Montalvo / The News Tribune (TNS) | 5/23/24

Hues of purple, red and green glow in the skies over Salkum on Friday, May 10, as the Northern Lights were visible during a powerful geomagnetic storm.

Missed the aurora borealis? Watch for these upcoming celestial sights

Like a thief in the night, the aurora borealis arrived suddenly — and seemingly unannounced, if you weren't paying close attention — across the upper half of the globe this past weekend. … more

Vonnai Phair / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 5/14/24

Tuff Husser, 8, holds up the 5.4-pound trout he caught Saturday, May 11, at the Toledo Lions Club’s annual Jim & Penny Lancaster Kids Fishing Derby at South Lewis County Park Pond — also known as Wallace Pond — in Toledo. All proceeds from the derby go toward Toledo Lions Club scholarships, which are provided to youths in the community.

In focus: Anglers flock to Toledo Lions Club’s annual Jim & Penny Lancaster Kids Fishing Derby

Here are some scenes from the Toledo Lions Club’s annual Jim & Penny Lancaster Kids Fishing Derby at South Lewis County Park Pond — also known as Wallace Pond — in Toledo on … more

5/13/24

American red wolf M2191, named Finch while in captivity, is pictured at Wolf Haven in Tenino.

Endangered American red wolf from Wolf Haven in Tenino released into the wild, produces pups

An endangered wolf born at the Wolf Haven International in Tenino has been released into the wild and produced a litter of pups, according to a news release from the sanctuary. In October 2023, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/8/24

Andrew Johnson attempts to run away while his grandfather Robbert Gordon holds up his first catch of the day at the Centralia Lions Club Youth Fishing Derby at Fort Borst Park in Centralia on Saturday, April 27.

WDFW Commission taking comment on science policy

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is taking public comment on a draft policy that guides its use of science in making decisions. The commission announced in a news release that a draft … more

The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 5/8/24

A family clam digs at Grayland Beach on Friday, March 8.

WDFW: ‘Long season of uninterrupted digging’ to end with final slate of clam digs

The final seven days of coastal razor clam digs of the season will proceed as planned from May 6-12, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) coastal shellfish managers confirmed Friday. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/3/24

Northern pikeminnow bounty season opens on Columbia and Snake rivers; $107,800 made by last year’s top earner

The 2024 northern pikeminnow bounty season on the Columbia and Snake rivers opened May 1, with decent money to be made. "Catch cash, save salmon," says the Northern Pikeminnow Sport Reward … more

Annette Cary / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 5/2/24

This photo of a cougar was provided by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

WDFW seeks public comment on proposed cougar season rules

OLYMPIA — The public comment period on proposed changes to cougar hunting seasons will be open through June 21, according to a press release from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. … more

Columbia Basin Herald (TNS) | 5/2/24

Raveka Childers holds her first fish of the day high for everyone to see before returning it to the water at the Centralia Lions Club Youth Fishing Derby at Fort Borst Park in Centralia on Saturday, April 27. The annual fishing derby lasted from about 8 a.m. until noon. Children ages 3 to 15 signed up for prize drawings. Volunteers provided participants with free hot dogs and milk. The annual derby coincided with the lowland lakes season opener in Washington. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife stocks millions of trout in lakes throughout the year, and opening day marks the first time people can fish many of those lakes for the catchable trout planted every winter and spring. Opening day lakes are often stocked shortly before the start of their six-month season. Anglers can visit https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/reports/stocking/trout-plants to see which lakes have been stocked in recent weeks and can sort by county or waterbody to find a nearby stocked lake.

In focus: Lions Club provides fishing fun for kids at Fort Borst Pond

The Centralia Lions Club held its annual youth fishing derby at Fort Borst Park in Centralia on Saturday, April 27. The derby lasted from about 8 a.m. until noon. Children ages 3 to … more

4/29/24

Summer Rios kneels next to a kayak she won during a raffle at the 2024 Mineral Lake Fishing Derby on Sunday, April 28, at the Mineral Lake Lions Den campground.

‘Close to 1,000 people’ flock to Mineral Lake during fishing derby

Overcast skies and intermittent rainfall didn’t stop around 1,000 people, including anglers, their friends and families, from going to Mineral Lake to camp and cast their lines in the … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 4/29/24

A female grey wolf in snow. (Mikael Males/Dreamstime/TNS)

Count shows wolf population increasing in Washington state

The number of wolves is increasing in Washington, although breeding pairs declined by one, according to information released this week by the state agency that tracks their numbers. The … more

Thomas Clouse / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 4/24/24

A person digs for clams at Grayland Beach on Friday, March 8.

The digs roll on: WDFW announces seven days of coastal clam digging to round out April

Razor clam diggers can look forward to more digging opportunities on coastal beaches beginning April 23, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) coastal shellfish managers confirmed … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/18/24