While many of us anglers wait for the March 1st opening of many lakes throughout the region, I was out checking on a couple of places people fish in the winter. One of the spots that I always find anglers fishing from the shore is at Crescent Bay on Lake Roosevelt, just below the town of Grand Coulee Dam. Earlier this year the water level was very high, and it has been dropping only recently. When I stopped by the other day I saw just one angler on the beach. The water level had dropped significantly, and I understand the plan is for it to drop even more this late winter and early spring for maintenance on Grand Coulee Dam. Fishing has not been particularly great this winter, and maybe the drop in the water level will change things. I also stopped by Billy Clapp Lake to check on the water level there. It is still low and I could tell that there has been some shore fishing activity, but from what I hear, fishing success has been slow this winter. I have had terrific days in the spring on Billy Clapp, but not so the past two seasons.