The Blog

Phil Anderson, Director, Department of Fish and Wildlife

07/18/11

Summer is a great time to take advantage of the fishing opportunities provided by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Fisheries are now open throughout the state’s waterways, where the department releases millions of fish from its hatcheries each year.

Salmon fishing seasons are under way on the coast and in Puget Sound, where a strong return of pink salmon will add to the catch of Chinook and Coho salmon this year. Nearly six million pink salmon are expected to return to the region, and anglers have “bonus” bag limits for pink salmon in most marine areas of Puget Sound.

Freshwater fishing opportunities are also heating up. On the Columbia River, anglers can fish for a variety of species, such as sockeye salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, shad and Chinook, which are moving up the river in large numbers. Anglers also can cast for trout at the state’s many lakes, some of which will be stocked with fish throughout the summer. As the weather warms, some lakes provide great fishing for bass and other warmwater fish.

Of course, shellfish is available this time of year as well. The popular recreational crab fishery in Puget Sound is open into September, and clams and oysters can be gathered at many beaches.

Whether you fly-cast for trout, troll for salmon or drift for steelhead, Washington offers something for every angler.

To find out more about these fishing opportunities, visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website. There you will find the Weekender Report, which highlights all the fishing – as well as hunting and wildlife-viewing – opportunities available throughout the state each month, the dates and regulations for fisheries and information on how to purchase a fishing license.