The Eagle Outdoors

Welcome, my friends, to the first week of April. It's gonna be a busy month. To name just a few of the many events taking place, there's a lowland trout opener, turkey season, spring chinook, salmon derbies, razor clam tides, clam festivals, sportsman's shows, and a plethora of nesting songbirds to watch.

Fishing licenses

If you fish and you're over the age of 15, as of Wednesday, April 1, you're going to need a new fishing license. New, albeit resurrected for 2026, is the Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement (CRSSE). This is a requirement should you, like many, target salmon or steelhead on the mainstem Columbia River or any number of tributaries. A map showing those tributaries on the Lower Columbia on which the CRSSE is required can be found at wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2026-02/crsse-lcr.pdf. While at it, don't forget catch record cards, aka punch cards, and a new Discovery Pass for your vehicle. This year - considering the license hikes for 2026, the necessary angling documents for Julie and me, along with the pass - will run $217.74, or 59 cents per day. That's still one hell of a good deal, though. I'll have to admit, sometimes, I wish to be 15 again. It's a small price to pay for 365 days of freshwater fishing, saltwater fish, salmon, steelhead, trout, shellfish, Dungeness crabs, and a break from the routine.

Speaking of fishing, have I mentioned how beautiful Longview's Lake Sacajawea Park always is? I've never been one to 'gush' over a city park; however, and in the case of Sacajawea, I'm making an exception. The City of Longview is meticulous in the maintenance of the facility, there's always some type of special event or festival going on, and, at least for me, there are always folks walking their dogs who don't mind if I stop them and love on their canine companion for a moment. That's a huge plus.

Returning to fishing. On Wednesday, March 25, the WDFW stocked 3,000 catchable rainbow trout into Sacajawea. Fish averaging, say, 10 inches and a half a pound apiece. Three thousand trout! I know what you veteran anglers are saying. "Ugh," you groan, making that face. "Mushy planter trout. Not good for anything." That 10-year-old kid down the street who's been chomping at the bit for you to take him/her fishing doesn't care. They'll catch them, take them home, and you'll show them how to clean them. Maybe you'll be the one to prepare them whole. Put a slice of lemon and a cube of butter in the cavity, wrap them in fat bacon, and grill them over charcoal, or, better yet, maple coals. That's how you get them started and keep them interested. So give a trip to Lake Sacajawea some serious thought as we move into April. Oh, and Nipps Burgers is just across the Ocean Beach Highway from the northern point of the park. Get the Banner Special with the chocolate/banana shake. You won't be disappointed.

On a final note, the WDFW also stocked both Snag and Western lakes - also known collectively as the Radar Lakes located above the old Naselle Youth Camp west of Naselle - with 1,000 catchable rainbow trout each on Sunday, March 15. If you haven't visited the Radar Lakes, they're beautiful little ponds, both of which host a wide variety of wildlife (e.g. otters, northern kingfishers, ospreys, and bald eagles) and both of which have quite a bit of history involved. Berkley Power Bait fished on the bottom, 1/16 ounce Rooster Tail spinners - or elk hair caddis flies worked behind a clear casting bubble - will put plenty of these chunky little trout in the basket.

If you're a birder looking for a close-to-home road trip, I'd highly suggest starting at the little town of Rainier, Ore., and driving east on the old Columbia River Highway until you get to the Cornelius Pass Cut-Off. Along the way, there are countless wetlands, big and small, that are full of species right now, ranging from cackling Canada geese to ringneck ducks, tundra swans, great egrets, wood ducks, and more. Stops might include Prescott Beach Park, Trojan Park, and Deer Island/Island Road before getting into the more populated places like St. Helens and Scappoose. It's quite a pretty drive, with old farms, ornamental cherries in bloom, and daffodils everywhere. If you want a side trip, continue south on Cornelius Pass Road to the top. There you'll find a small building on the left, built circa 1938, known as the Plainview Grocery and Auto Parts Store.

Hook The Hawg results

The recent Hook The Hawg salmon derby, hosted by the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce and headquartered at the Elochoman Marina, saw 100 registered anglers taking part and 22 fish entered ranging from six to 15.9 pounds. Renee Staat walked away with first place in the Adult Division with her 15.9 pound king, with Dean Mattson (14.3) and Mark Hiraiwa (14.1) bringing up the second and third positions respectively. In the Youth Division, local angler Jayce Coulter captured first place with his dandy 14.3 pound king, while Fisher Wild netted a beautiful 11.13 pound springer. Congratulations to everyone who took part in this great annual event.

Now, get outside. The dishes and the rest of that 'inside stuff' can wait. Enjoy every day, and make a point of spending at least part of each day in The Great Outdoors.