WDFW Weekender Report

Discover recreational opportunities in Eastern, North Central, South Central, North Puget Sound, Southwest, and Coastal Washington.

Spring into March with these outdoor opportunities

Image
Shrubsteppe landscape.
Photo by Scott Downes

Snow is melting, flowers are blooming, and several fishing seasons start in March; from spring Chinook in the lower Columbia River to trout fishing in numerous eastside lakes. Winter steelhead season peaks in March in many Western Washington rivers, and this month is an excellent time for birdwatchers as flocks continue winging back north.

Wildlife watchers are encouraged to give animals extra space this month, as deer and elk especially may be at their weakest point in the year following the winter. Many Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) lands in central and eastern Washington remain closed this month to protect wintering wildlife; learn more on our website.

With a new season of outdoor adventures about to begin, Washingtonians might want to consider purchasing 2024-25 recreational fishing and hunting licenses before current licenses expire at midnight March 31.

The cost of fishing and hunting licenses remains the same as last year, and most annual licenses include a WDFW vehicle-access pass. Visit this page for more about parking and access passes.

Events to celebrate the outdoors this month

The Big Horn Outdoor Adventure Show, March 14-17 at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center, is one of the oldest and longest continually operated sports and recreation shows in the country. The 61st annual show will feature hundreds of outdoor-related vendors and organizations, and local WDFW staff will be there to answer your hunting, fishing, and wildlife-related questions. 

WDFW will be at two seafood themed events this March! The Ocean Shores Razor Clam and Seafood Festival taking place March 15-17 at the Ocean Shores Convention Center will feature food booths, vendors, live music, crab dinners, a chowder contest, and more. Penn Cove Musselfest in Coupeville on March 2-3 will also have many vendors to visit and local seafood to enjoy. WDFW will have booths at both events, so swing by and say hello!

Want to learn how you can make community and private outdoor spaces more wildlife friendly? Stop by our booth at one of the upcoming native plant sales and learn more about our Habitat at Home program!  

Image
Native salal plant with flowers.
Photo by National Park Service

 

 

Popular outdoor opportunities this month

Columbia River spring Chinook salmon fishing

Image
Salmon fishing near buoy 10
Photo by Ken Stunz

The popular spring Chinook fishery opens March 1 at the Buoy 10 line upstream to Beacon Rock (boat and bank), plus bank angling only by hand-cast from Beacon Rock upstream to the Bonneville Dam deadline. The 2024 run is forecast to be slightly smaller than last year’s returns, but there should still be quality fishing opportunities for anglers. Spring Chinook usually arrive in large numbers in late March and early April. Retention of hatchery steelhead is also open, though all wild steelhead must be released. Anglers are advised to check the regulations before they go.

Learn about the balancing act of managing sustainable fisheries in the Columbia River in our new blog post.

 

Image
Young angler holds up chinook salmon caught off the San Juan Islands
Photo by Jon Backman

Puget Sound salmon fishing

Winter Chinook fishing in Marine Area 10 (Seattle/Bremerton Area) and Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island) opens four days per week—Wednesdays through Saturdays only—starting March 1 through mid-April but could close sooner if guidelines are achieved. Marine Area 13 (South Puget Sound) is open year-round and has been fair to good for both resident Chinook—commonly known as “blackmouth”—and resident coho. With the later start date for Marine Area 10 this year, larger, migratory spring Chinook may also be among the catches.

More tips for late-winter and spring Chinook fishing in Puget Sound and the western Strait of Juan de Fuca Can be found in this new blog post.

Razor clams at Copalis and Mocrocks beaches

Image
Clam diggers on beach.
Photo by Heather Angelbeck

State shellfish managers have tentatively scheduled razor clam digs in March. The next planned series is March 7-11 during evening (noon to midnight only) low tides; March 12-17 during morning/early afternoon (4 a.m. to 4 p.m. only) low tides; and March 26-31 during morning (midnight to noon only) low tides. The Ocean Shores Razor Clam Festival is March 15-17. Digging will proceed once the Washington Department of Health shows razor clams are safe to eat and usually occurs about a week or less before the start of each digging series. Not all coastal beaches are open for every dig, so diggers are encouraged to make sure their intended destination is open before heading out. Optimal digging occurs between one and two hours before the listed time of low tide.

Eastern Washington lakes

More than two dozen Eastern Washington lakes open March 1 for trout fishing. Depending upon the severity of late winter weather, some lakes east of the Cascade Crest may still be iced over, although warmer weather conditions should provide some trout fishing opportunities. Ice conditions aren’t monitored by WDFW so use caution before stepping on an ice-covered waterway. The Quincy Valley Chamber of Commerce Trout Derby is March 22-23 at Quincy and Burke lakes. Check the regional Weekender reports and this news release on the March 1 opener for more information.

River and stream fishing

Image
Side view of steelhead.
Photo by Chase Gunnell

Anglers can fish for spring Chinook and winter-run steelhead in the Cowlitz, Kalama, and Lewis rivers in March. Be sure to check the emergency regulations or Fish Washington mobile app for updated rules. Some coastal rivers remain open for winter steelhead fishing, as well as the Skagit and Sauk rivers in the North Puget Sound Region. In Eastern Washington, trout will be more active as waters warm in rivers such as the Yakima, Naches, Crab Creek, and Rocky Ford Creek, especially during the Skwala stonefly hatch in mid-March. Be sure to read the rules and regulations before you go.

 

Sea run cutthroat catch and release

Image
Fly Fisher in water with fish
Photo by WDFW

In Puget Sound, Hood Canal, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and coastal bays, sea run coastal cutthroat make excellent catch and release quarry on fly fishing gear or light spinning tackle. They are most often found near streams, creeks, and rivers, where they spawn. They typically range from 10-to-20 inches in length, and once located will aggressively bite flies and small spoons or spinners. March is often considered the best month to chase “sea runs,” as they are actively feeding on chum fry and other out-migrating salmon smolts in nearshore areas.

Coastal bottomfish 

Image
Lingcod.
Photo by Kelly Rollins

Recreational fisheries for many bottomfish species begin in March with new rockfish regulations. Marine Areas 1, 2, 3, and 4 west of Bonilla-Tatoosh opens March 9. Marine Area 4 east of Bonilla-Tatoosh is open year-round for bottomfish and lingcod opens March 9. The coastal bottomfishing and new rockfish regulation news release is now available. Additional information on protecting rockfish populations can be found on WDFW’s webpage. Don’t have a boat? Jetty fishing is a great option for catching coastal bottomfish; get tips in our blog post.

 

Get ready for spring turkey

Image
Spring turkey.
Photo by Tanner Baumgartner

The general season opens April 15. The season follows a special spring turkey hunt for people ages 15 and younger that runs April 1-7. More details will be available soon on WDFW’s website.

#LifeOutdoorsWA

The outdoors fits into everyone’s life in unique and personal ways, and we here at WDFW want to foster connections with and appreciation of nature, the wide variety of Washington landscapes, and all forms of outdoor recreation through the Life Outdoors resources. We hope to see you in the field and on the water enjoying the Life Outdoors!

 

Wild Washington Youth Education Program

Image
Deer fawn in green vegetation.
Photo by Don Ashmore

March 3 is World Wildlife Day!  This makes March a great month to learn more about Washington’s wildlife.

This variety of ecosystems and species is called biodiversity. Celebrate biodiversity and Washington’s wildlife with your family this month by engaging in our family educational resources. From habitat at home activities to learning about invasive species, our family educational resources are a great way to get outdoors and celebrate Washington’s rich wildlife.

Habitat at Home 

Image
Desert shooting star wildflower
Photo by WDFW

Planning a spring-cleaning of an outdoor space? Here are a few tips to support the wildlife!

Where possible, leave snags and fallen trees to provide habitat, incorporate logs into your landscaping for wildlife shelter, and save cleaning up the leaves and other yard debris until after our first full week of 50° weather – this allows beneficial overwintering insects to hatch or awaken.

Watchable Wildlife

Image
Quail on wood.
Photo by Carrie Dugovic

As we move into spring, it’s the perfect time to plan your next wildlife viewing adventure! Our wildlife viewing webpage offers a variety of resources to help you prepare. The Great Washington State Birding Trail is an outstanding resource that highlights the best places for bird watching in Washington. Described in full-color maps, birds are identified along seven routes, plus descriptions of habitat, access, and when to go.

 

Wild Ways: Why Keeping Washington's Habitat Connected Matters

Animals rely on movement to survive, in pursuit of food, resources, and seasonal habitat. As Washington's human population grows, the state's natural habitats grow increasingly fragmented. Habitat connectivity is about ensuring animals have the freedom of movement they need to thrive, and WDFW is working hard with its partners to help improve those connections across Washington. 

Join the WDFW team

If you’d enjoy preserving, protecting, and perpetuating the state’s fish, wildlife, and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities, then check out some of our current job openings or sign up for job alerts. From fishery technicians and environmental planners to data scientists, archaeologists to wildlife biologists, a career with WDFW makes a difference.

Volunteer opportunity

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, Hunter Education instruction, and assisting at outreach events.  

For more information about the volunteer program and upcoming volunteer opportunities, visit the WDFW volunteer webpage