Discover recreational opportunities in Eastern, North Central, South Central, North Puget Sound, Southwest, and Coastal Washington.
Life Outdoors: Take advantage of all that a Pacific Northwest summer has to offer!
Whether you’re fishing an area stream, river, lake, or marine area; preparing for late summer and fall hunting seasons; boating; hiking; camping; or any other activity, there’s an outdoor opportunity for everyone during Washington’s summer. In this edition of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)’s Life Outdoors Report e-newsletter you’ll find an overview of what to do and expect in June, July, and August.
For even more news and updates, refer to our Newsroom, social media channels, Medium blog, and email distribution lists.
Looking for more frequent updates? Visit our regional webpages to stay informed about fishing, hunting, conservation, and recreation opportunities in your area.
Popular summer outdoor opportunities
Free Fishing Weekend
Washington’s Free Fishing Weekend returns June 7-8, 2025, allowing anglers the opportunity to fish for many species without a license.
All fishing for and harvest of shellfish, salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, and halibut still requires a license even on Free Fishing Weekend, and all other fishing rules and regulations still apply.
Some of the best statewide opportunities for Free Fishing Weekend include:
- 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.
More information: 2025 Free Fishing Weekend
Rivers and streams open for fishing
Many rivers and streams across Washington are now open to fishing for game fish such as trout, steelhead, perch, char, and other species. Certain areas are also open for spring Chinook salmon, and several sockeye fisheries open in June. Please check the fishing regulations and emergency Fishing Rule Changes for the stream or river you plan to fish, or the updated Fish Washington® mobile app, as many are managed under catch and release or selective gear rules—which prohibit using bait, barbs, and treble hooks—to protect wild steelhead and salmon.
The mainstem Columbia River (downstream of Priest Rapids Dam) will be closed to summer Chinook retention in 2025 due to a low preseason forecast of upriver fish. Some fisheries upstream of the dam may open to retention based in-season run size updates. There will be opportunity for sockeye fishing in the upper Columbia, with a limited opening in the lower Columbia River June 22 through July 6.
An expected strong pink salmon return in late summer will provide fishing opportunities in many Puget Sound rivers. 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.
More information: Emergency fishing and shellfishing rules
Summer crabbing seasons
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 (PDF). 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.
More information: Summer crabbing seasons
Visit state wildlife areas
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.
More information: Visit WDFW-managed lands
Outreach events this summer
When not in the field or on the water, we invite you to connect with WDFW at spring events near you! Check out WDFW’s Event Calendar for more details. Just a few of our upcoming events include:
Pride Month events
- Pride Celebration at Northwest Trek – June 7, Eatonville
- Capital City Pride – June 28, Olympia
Family activities
- Living with Wildlife: Preventing Conflict – June 7, Hoquiam
- Snake River Family Festival – June 14, Colfax
- Merwin Day of Fishing for Kids- July 12, Ariel
National Moth Week events
- Moths of Washington Webinar – July 16, virtual
- Moth Night – July 19, Bellevue
Educational offerings
- Living with Wildlife: Preventing Conflict – June 7, Hoquiam
- Duckabush Estuary Education Tour – June 25, Brinnon
- Duckabush Estuary Education Tour- July 30, Brinnon
Additional opportunities
2025 WDFW Trout Derby
We’re celebrating 10 years of the WDFW Trout Derby in 2025! What’s more fun than fishing? Winning prizes for doing it! The annual
WDFW Trout Derby runs through Oct. 31. All you have to do to participate is catch a tagged trout and check WDFW's Derby web page to see what you won. Thousands of tagged trout were stocked in 100+ lakes across the state this spring so get out there and catch one of them!
Button text: More information
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.
More information: Halibut, lingcod, and bottomfish
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.
More information: 2025-26 Fishing Rules Pamphlet
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).
More information: Blog: New rules in place to protect Washington’s wildlife
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.
More information: Blog: What to do if you encounter young wildlife
Licensing opportunities
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 as a downloadable PDF document.
More information: Big game hunting regulations
New hunters: get ready for fall by completing hunter education
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!
More information: Sign up for hunter ed
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.
More information: Submit your turkey hunting report
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”:
- Hold up your thumb in a hitchhiker fashion.
- 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.
- 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.
More information: Ethical wildlife viewing : tips and tricks
Habitat at Home
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!
More information: Habitat at Home
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 (PDF).
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!
More information: Pollinator activities
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.
More information: Volunteer opportunities
Watch: Explore WDFW Wildlife Areas
Need some inspiration as to where to go and what to do in your adventures this summer? WDFW is honored to steward over 1 million acres of public lands for the benefit of Washington's fish and wildlife, and all Washingtonians. Enjoy two minutes of amazing views and gorgeous nature scenes in this video showcasing WDFW wildlife areas, then review the list of featured wildlife areas in the description to help plan your summer travels.
Watch on YouTube: Explore WDFW Wildlife Areas
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 fish hatchery specialists to human resources specialists and budget analysts to wildlife researchers, a career with WDFW makes a difference.
More information: Jobs at WDFW