• Rainbow trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and other gamefish in lakes. Visit the WDFW website to search for a lowland lake near you and learn how to get started with fishing.  

• The 2025 Trout Derby, with over 100 lakes planted with derby trout. Hundreds of prizes remain on tagged fish in lakes statewide.  

• Lingcod, cabezon, flounder, sole, and other bottomfish species in Puget Sound. 

• Rockfish and surfperch on the Washington coast (no boat required; learn about jetty fishing). 

• Shad along the shoreline on the Lower Columbia River (learn where and how to harvest shad).   

Vehicle Access Passes are also not required to park at WDFW lands, nor is a Discover Pass needed to park on WDFW, DNR, or Washington State Parks lands during Free Fishing Weekend.   

Please note, even for species that don’t require a license on Free Fishing Weekend, other rules such as seasons, size limits, daily limits, and area closures still apply. Check current fishing regulations, valid through the end of June, before hitting the water, as well as current emergency fishing rules.    

The Nooksack river system will remain closed to fishing this summer to protect Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed Chinook salmon. Other rivers in the Puget Sound and coastal regions may also close this summer to protect ESA-listed salmon stocks. Check emergency rules before heading out.    

The summer crabbing season opens in early July and runs through Labor Day in many areas of Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The 2025 summer crabbing season should be similar to last year. Summer crab seasons are typically closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the Puget Sound management area. Look for updates on the 2025 summer crabbing season later this month on our crabbing webpage. Information on crabbing on the Washington coast, Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay and the Columbia River estuary is available on the WDFW website.    

Long summer days are a great time to get out and explore natural areas, including wildlife areas managed by WDFW. The Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area in Lincoln County, just south of the town of Creston, has 1,280 acres of pothole and rim rock lakes, an intermittent stream, plateaus, and buttes with shrubsteppe and riparian/wetland habitats. Swanson Lakes supports a mix of species, including mule deer, upland game birds, raptors, songbirds, and several reptiles and amphibians. There are many other WDFW wildlife areas to explore across the state that you can learn about on  our website.   

Halibut, lingcod, and bottomfish opportunities continue

Planning to fish for bottomfish and halibut this season? Seasons and regulations in Washington's waters are on WDFW’s website, including weekly updates. In Marine Areas 1-3 and Marine Area 4 west of Bonilla-Tatoosh the lingcod season runs through Oct. 18, 2025, with a daily bag limit of two lingcod per angler no minimum size limit. East of Bonilla-Tatoosh in Marine Area 4, the lingcod season also runs through Oct. 18 while the bottomfish season is open year-round. Lingcod fishing in Marine Areas 5, 6, 7, 8-1, 8-2, 9, 10, and 11 is open daily through June 15. 

The halibut fishery in Marine Areas 5, 6, 7, 8-1, 8-2, 9, and 10 is open daily through June 30; if quota remains additional fishing may be allowed in August and September. The coastal halibut fishery is open on certain days through June in Marine Areas 1, 2, 3, and 4, but anglers should check the WDFW website for specific days each area is open, which could close sooner if catch quotas are achieved; if quota remains additional fishing may be allowed in August and September. 

Per Washington state law, anyone born after Jan. 1, 1972 must complete a hunter education course before buying a hunting license. If you hope to hunt this fall, now is the time to get your hunter ed requirement done. You can take either a traditional classroom or hybrid course, and classes are available in most communities around the state. They fill up fast, though, so don’t wait until the last minute to sign up! 

2025-26 Sport Fishing Rules   

The annual update to fishing regulations goes into effect July 1. The 2025-26 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet will be available online mid-June and hard copies will soon be available at hundreds of license dealers statewide. If you haven’t updated your fishing license for the current year, get your new one before heading out through WDFW’s Licensing website, at WDFW regional offices, or through license vendors.   

New rules in place to protect Washington’s wildlife 

Living in Washington means living with wildlife, and many people may be tempted to feed wild animals near their homes or communities. Unfortunately, feeding wildlife can cause more harm than good, especially with new wildlife diseases being found in Washington. This year, WDFW approved a rule proposal that prohibits feeding deer, elk, and moose in Washington. This rule was approved due to the high potential for feeding sites to promote disease spread, including chronic wasting disease (CWD). 

What to do if you encounter young wildlife   

Every spring, WDFW and permitted wildlife rehabilitators receive calls from concerned members of the public who find young wildlife alone, with no adult in sight. Has the baby animal been abandoned? What do you do? Should you intervene? Hundreds of young wild animals such as fawns, seal pups, and fledgling birds are unnecessarily “rescued” every year. Just because wildlife babies are alone does not mean they need help! Some wildlife rehabilitators are not able to take all species for rehabilitation due to concerns over disease spread – so it’s critically important not to interfere with a wild animal unless absolutely necessary. Always contact a permitted wildlife rehabilitator before attempting to rescue any wildlife, and read our blog for tips for what to do if you encounter common young wildlife this spring.

Columbia River shad migration underway 

Record shad returns over the past decade have turned the Columbia River into one of the most consistent and easily accessible sport fisheries in the region. In 2024, over three million American Shad were counted at Bonneville Dam, with an estimated recreational catch of 153,900 fish. Anglers typically begin targeting shad when counts across Bonneville Dam reach 20,000 per day. For more information about non-native American shad, their potential impacts on native fish, and how to fish for them, refer to the American shad webpage or our recent blog post. 

Salmon season proposal 

A list of the 2025-2026 proposed salmon fishing seasons is now published on the North of Falcon (NOF) webpage. There will be an additional public comment period and a public hearing on the rules on June 12. Final salmon fishing rules will be adopted sometime after June 15. Find details on salmon fishing seasons in the Salmon Fishing Current blog.   

Clean, drain, dry your watercraft to prevent the spread of invasive species  

It’s officially boating season, which means we need your help to protect Washington’s waters from aquatic invasive species (AIS), particularly zebra and quagga mussels. Please clean, drain, and dry all your gear, equipment, and watercraft – both motorized and non-motorized. If it’s been in the water, AIS can cling onto your boat or equipment and spread to new waterbodies, putting our environment, economy, and human health at risk. Learn more about preventing the spread of AIS on our website.   

2025-2026 big game hunting regulations 

Hard copies of the 2025 Washington Big Game Hunting Regulations are available now at locations across the state. Visit your local license dealer or WDFW office to pick up a copy! The pamphlet includes rules and requirements for hunting deer, elk, black bear, cougar, mountain goat, moose, bighorn sheep, and turkey. It is also available online  or as a downloadable PDF document.  

Turkey reporting deadline 

Spring wild turkey season ended May 31, so it’s time to submit your spring turkey report, even if you plan to hunt turkeys again this fall. Reports are required whether you were successful in harvesting a turkey or not. Information in these reports is used to help monitor hunter effort, distribution, harvest, and trends. Although the reporting period is open until Jan. 31 for both spring and fall seasons, WDFW recommends completing your spring report while your memory is fresh. Hunters who do not fulfill their tag in the spring must submit reports for both spring and fall by the Jan. 31 deadline.   

Watchable Wildlife  

Summer is upon us! As you begin your summer outdoor adventures, be sure to respect the wildlife you encounter. A simple trick to make sure you’re at a safe viewing distance from wildlife is to follow the “rule of thumb”:  

1. Hold up your thumb in a hitchhiker fashion.  
2. Hold out your arm in front of you and place your thumb in line with your vision over the animal you are watching. If the pad of your thumb covers the animal, you are at a safe viewing distance. If not, back away until you are at a safer distance. 
3. If the animal still seems disturbed and is altering its natural behaviors, continue to distance yourself from the animal. 

Visit our website for more ethical and safe viewing tips and tricks. 

Summer is the perfect season to start transforming your outdoor space into a thriving wildlife habitat! WDFW’s Habitat at Home program helps you create spaces that support local species while making your outdoor area more vibrant and sustainable. Plus, you can certify your habitat and proudly display a sign showing your commitment to conservation. 

You don’t need a yard to get started- small spaces like apartment balconies or community areas like HOA’s and schoolyards can also qualify. Turn your space into a wildlife haven!

Wild Washington youth education  

As Pollinator Week buzzes into action June 16-22, families can embark on a journey to safeguard our vital pollinators. Dive into the world of bees, butterflies, and beyond with these engaging activities that can be done near and away from the home. Grab your smartphone, download iNaturalist, and join Pollinator Partnerships’ national pollinator bioblitz. 

Want to stay closer to home? Check out one of our many activities; from planting a pollinator garden, to crafting bee hotels, embarking on a pollinator scavenger hunt, or exploring pollinator-themed coloring books, there’s a pollinator week activity for every family!  

Volunteer opportunities  

WDFW welcomes volunteers of all abilities who want to contribute to conservation of fish, wildlife, and habitat. Diverse volunteer opportunities are available, including projects on state wildlife areas and water access areas, habitat restoration projects, and helping at National Hunting and Fishing Day in East Wenatchee this fall.  

To get started as a volunteer, register using the link below to explore upcoming volunteer opportunities around the state. Be sure to add interest groups to your profile – this helps our staff connect you with projects that match your interests.   

Check out our full list of volunteer opportunities at the link below.