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.
In this section
-
Every angler should have the Fish Washington® mobile app on their smartphone or other mobile device.
-
Want to fish in Washington? Keep up to date with the latest fishing rules and regulations.
-
Shellfish harvesters have an assortment of opportunities in Washington.
-
Whether hiking to a remote lake or heading out for a day on the ocean, fishing opportunities abound in Washington.
-
Find information about public clam, mussel, and oyster beaches, including harvest seasons, beach locations, and current Department of Health status.
-
Find information about the latest creel and stocking reports in Washington waters.
-
Learn about fishing techniques and equipment, along with suggested preparation and cooking methods.
-
A guide to how WDFW manages fish and shellfish.
-
Learn about how the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works with tribal and federal fishery managers to manage the state's fisheries.
-
Learn about upcoming adult and youth fishing contests and events around the state.
-
Fish and shellfish harvested in Washington waters make their way to markets around the world.
-
Monofilament line can cause problems throughout the environment when it is lost during fishing or improperly discarded overboard. Learn where you can discard used fishing line.
-
Find out where, when, and how to enjoy fresh, local, Washington seafood.
Fishing news & important dates
The highly popular coastal bottomfish fisheries get underway March 14 in Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco), Marine Area 2 (Westport-Ocean Shores), Marine Area 3 (La Push), and Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh boundary line).
The 2026 recreational season is based on a statewide quota of 286,356 pounds. The annual catch quota of 1.65 million pounds in 2026 is the result of an allocation that the International Pacific Halibut Commission approved Jan. 22 for fisheries in Washington, Oregon, and California.
Conservation starts here
Columbia River smelt support a popular recreational dip-net fishery in southwest Washington. Learn more about this year's smelt season, including tentative dates, smelt observations, and weekly updates on our webpage.
Beginning April 1, 2026, anglers can choose to use an electronic catch record card (eCRC) to record and report salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, and Puget Sound Dungeness crab catch.
How, and why, volunteers threw hundreds of salmon carcasses into a southeast Washington river to improve the chance of survival for future generations of fish.
