Hey folks, this is a great chance to take the family to a local lake for two days of fun. Park Lake would be a good choice. Let the kids fish, run and play while Mom and Dad relax. Then make lunch on the camp stove or make sandwiches. Even if the adults don't have a fishing license, they can still fish this weekend. Read on.

Each year, the Free Fishing Weekend will be the first weekend in June, after the first Monday in June. Hey...the weekend is here.

Tomorrow and Sunday, June 7-8, is the "Free Fishing Weekend" this year. On these days fishing licenses are not required. Catch Record Cards are required to fish for salmon, sturgeon, steelhead, Puget Sound Dungeness crab, and halibut, if open.

Free fishing days are valid for everyone. All other rules still apply, including seasons, area and lure or bait restrictions, and size and catch limits. A Vehicle Access Pass, Discover Pass, Columbia River Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement, and Two-Pole Endorsement is not required during this weekend. The free fishing weekend rules are valid for both residents and non-residents.

Brewster King Salmon Derby

Yes, this is two months ahead of time, but we want to make sure you have this on your calendar. Aug. 1, 2 and 3 is the Brewster King Salmon Derby this year.

This year: Cash awarded to the top 10 in the Adult Division and the top five in the Youth Division. Adult Winner will receive $1500, with the youth prize for 9 through 14 year olds of $600 and ages 8 and under receiving $100.

Here are some of the last year's stats: 265 paid entries with 28 being 17 and under; 102 King salmon weighed in and six Sockeye weighed (51 on Friday, 38 on Sat. & 13 on Sun). There was approximately an eight to one release ratio with wild kings having to be released.

More than $30,000 in cash and prizes were given away. 120 boats on the water Sat. morning and the winning king was weighed in on Sat.

From Don Kraege, Fish and Wildlife Waterfowl Section Manager:

A message to past goose banders:

We have been getting several inquiries regarding the status of Canada goose banding by Fish and Wildlife in 2014, which typically occurs in June.

During the past seven years we have banded almost 5,000 geese in eastern Washington, a very successful program. This would not have been possible without the support of our many volunteers.

Unfortunately, due to several vacancies of staff positions involved with this effort in the past, as well as commitments of other staff on various projects, we are scaling back the dates and locations of banding operations this year.

Plans are still being developed, but if you are still interested in participating in our limited banding efforts over the next few weeks please let me know and I'll route your name to the appropriate district biologists. Thanks for your support of the Canada goose banding program.

Contact Don Kraege at 360-902-2522.

For interesting viewing:

The 2014 crop of young Burrowing Owls is now on display at:

http://wdfw.wa.gov/wildwatch/owlcam/video_burrowing.html

From Steve Burress of Pacific Salmon Charters in Ilwaco:

The early Chinook fishery opened May 31. There have been some nice fish brought in recently. This fishery will only improve and catching them from the ocean, they are the best condition they will be in.

Fishing for rockfish and ling cod continues to be very good. A few Ling Cod over 40" have been brought in recently.

Halibut continues to be good and boat limits are the norm. It looks like we will be fishing for them a while longer since we have over 40 percent of our early quota remaining.

New this year is the Near shore fishery. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, anglers can retain halibut with bottom fish. In years past, you had to release any Halibut caught while fishing for bottom fish. Now you may keep one should you be lucky enough to catch it.

Again this is near shore fishery only and it is not open during the regular fishery of Thursday through Sunday.

There are still some seats available for the Tuna fishery which will get underway at the end of July. Weekends are filling fast and there are spots during the week if you can get away. Call right away to reserve your spot.

We are located at www.pacificsalmoncharters.com on the web. Contact Steve at 1-800-831-2695.