SALT WATER

Beaches: The next razor clam dig will open Friday and run through Jan. 27. No digging will be allowed at any beach before noon. The schedule for the upcoming dig and evening low tides:

 • Friday: 5:44 p.m., 0 feet, Twin Harbors, Long Beach.

 • Sunday: 6:50 p.m., minus-0.2 feet, Twin Harbors, Long Beach.

 • Jan. 26: 6:18 p.m., minus-0.2 feet, Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Copalis, Mocrocks.

Kalaloch remains closed due to concerns about declines in the clam population there.

North Sound: Salmon fishing remains good in the San Juan Islands, where some fish are reaching 25 pounds. A few are being caught off Hat Island and Columbia Beach. Action in Marine Area 9 has been fair, with some fish being caught since it opened Wednesday. There are a few spots left in the 100-boat field for 10th annual Roche Harbor Salmon Classic on Feb. 7-8. For details, call Debbie Sandwith at 360-378-5562.

South Sound: Salmon fishing in Marine Area 13 has been slow. Squid action has slowed in the last week, but people are still bringing some home. There has been better squid action off piers in Des Moines and Redondo.

LAKES

Fish: Ice fishing at this water near Lake Wenatchee has been very good for perch and trout. The ice is 6-7 inches thick. Most are vertical jigging with size 2-3 Swedish Pimples in chrome or chrome with chartreuse, tipped with perch meat or maggots.

Sammamish: The lake is producing some cutthroat trout. Try trolling Wedding Rings tipped with pink maggots. Look for fish holding in 25-35 feet of water.

Spanaway: People are catching rainbow and brown trout off the dock and the bank near the swimming area. People are using worms with marshmallows or Power Eggs. In an emergency, some people are using chunks of orange foam ear plugs to help float the worm. Some of the trout are weighing up to 4 pounds.

Spencer: The fish you do catch should be fairly big and the flesh firm. Try slowly trolling Woolly Buggers in olive and/or black and Carey Specials close to the bottom.

RIVERS

Cowlitz: Fishing has been described as great, while the catching has been so-so. While anglers are enjoying the blue skies, they are working hard to find fish. The key is working deep pools with slower water. Jigs under a float and plugs are the best way to go.

North Sound: The rivers are very low and clear, but a few steelhead are being caught. The best bet is in terminal areas like Reiter Ponds and Tokul Creek.

Olympic Coast: The rivers are very low and gin clear. The flows on the Hoh were 1,670 cubic feet per second (cfs) Friday morning, about half of what they normally are this time of year. People are catching a few steelhead here and there. The Sol Doc has been a consistent producer.

Yakima: Cold temperatures have left ice on the river, especially the lower-canyon stretch. The river is pretty clear of ice upstream of Thorp. The best action has been fishing streamers during the “heat” of the day.

Wynoochee: This might be the best bet in the area, but the action has not been great by any stretch of the imagination. Small, dark jigs, plugs and spoons will work best with the water low and clear.

Contributors: Art Tachell at Point Defiance Boathouse, Bud Herlitzka at Spanaway Park Boathouse, salmonuniversity.com, Tom Pollack at Sportco, Mike Chamberlain at Ted’s Sports Center, Bob Gooding at Olympic Sporting Goods, Bonner’s FishOn Guide Service, The Evening Hatch, Ron Adams at Verle’s Sports Center Jeffrey P. Mayor: 253-597-8640 jeff.mayor@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/adventure