(WDFW)- Ocean salmon fishing got off to a strong start during the first week in July along the Washington coast, where many anglers went home with two-fish limits.  Coho made up the bulk of the catch in most areas, although anglers fishing off Westport have also been catching good numbers of chinook salmon averaging about 18 pounds apiece.

"This fishery is off to the best start we've seen in several years," said Doug Milward, ocean salmon manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).  "The fish are good-sized, and anglers are catching them all along the coast."

On the southern coast, Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco) is open daily for salmon fishing, while Marine Area 2 (Westport) is open Sundays through Thursdays.  On the north coast, Marine Areas 3 (La Push) and 4 (Neah Bay) are open Tuesdays through Saturdays.

As in past years, anglers are required to release any coho salmon not identified as a hatchery fish by a missing adipose fin and a healed scar.  Anglers are advised to check WDFW's Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm ) for additional regulations in effect for coastal salmon fishing and other fisheries under way throughout the state.

Like Dungeness crab, for example.  Recreational crab fishing is now open in all areas of Puget Sound, except the waters north of the San Juan Islands (Marine Area 7 North), which open Aug. 15.  Rich Childers, WDFW shellfish policy coordinator, said the fishery is again drawing a big turnout, and that he's heard from a number of fishers.

"Some people say, `Wow, there's crab everywhere!'  Others aren't doing as well," Childers said.  "It's important to remember that crabbing is like any other kind of fishing - just because you pull up an empty pot doesn't mean there aren't crab down there.  The best thing to do is move and come back another time."

Childers reminds crabbers that WDFW has implemented several changes in the catch-card reporting system - including on-line reporting.  For more information on catch reporting and other crabbing rules, see http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/crab/index.htm on the WDFW website.

Holding out for halibut?  Anglers will have one more day - Sunday, July 22 - to catch a big flatfish in marine areas 3 and 4 off the north coast.  The fishery will open at 12:01 a.m. and run until 11:59 p.m. that day.

With temperatures rising and several major wildfires now burning around the state, wildlife managers are urging campers and others spending time outdoors to be especially careful not to spark another blaze.  They note that fireworks are not allowed on any water-access sites or wildlife areas WDFW owns or manages across the state. Campfires are also prohibited, except at a few areas with designated metal fire rings or pits.