Fishing & Shellfishing

Some of the best fishing opportunities in the nation are available in Washington. From fly-fishing for bass and trout on freshwater lakes and streams east of the Cascades to trolling for salmon along the coast to crabbing in Puget Sound, Washington offers a diverse and unique outdoors experience. Find the experience that's right for you, whether you're a long-time angler or a first-time fisher.

A fishing boat on the water in a foggy sunrise.
Photo by Chase Gunnell

Fishing news & important dates

Sunrise photo of people fishing on the beach.
Photo by Blue Haught
The Salmon Fishing Current blog: North of Falcon 2025 edition

The 2025-2026 Washington recreational salmon fishing seasons were tentatively set and are scheduled to be adopted by NOAA Fisheries in early June. You can read the North of Falcon reflections by Kelly Cunningham, WDFW Fish Program Director.

A person smiling holding a trout in a boat on a lake.
Photo by Julie Harper
Spring lowland lakes trout fishing opportunities abound; WDFW Trout Derby anglers reeling in prizes

More than 14.5 million trout will be stocked into roughly 500 lakes and pond across Washington. An estimated 2.14 million are trout averaging 11 to 13 inches, and more than 150,000 are “jumbo” trout measuring 14 inches or longer.

Conservation starts here

Side view of a spot shrimp on boat railing.
Photo by WDFW
‘Spot’ on advice for Puget Sound shrimpers

Regulation update: Eastern section of Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet) now closed for May 21 fishery due to a low spot shrimp population.

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Rockfish identification 2025 version
Photo by WDFW
Reminder about rockfish identification and retention

With the recreational bottomfishing season underway on the Washington Coast, anglers are reminded about rockfish rules.

A wild steelhead held in the water before release.
Photo by Chase Gunnell
New WDFW research finds link between coastal steelhead survival, changing ocean conditions

WDFW scientists examined wild winter steelhead in rivers on the western Olympic Peninsula and flowing into Grays Harbor, including the Chehalis, Hoh, Humptulips, Queets, Quillayute, and Quinault.

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