Customer service staff in the Spokane Regional Office are available for walk-in service 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2315 North Discovery Place
Spokane Valley, WA 99216-1566
United States
Fishing tips and news
Ice fishing
The prolonged cold snap at the end of January means area lakes are mostly iced over and ice fishing is in full swing
at many of them. Ice fishing is a great way to get outside in the winter, and run some energy out of the kids, while getting year-round use out of your fishing license. If you already own fishing gear, you probably have everything you need to participate. Info on getting started ice fishing, as well as gear you may need or may wish to have, and ice safety information is all on the Washington winter ice fishing web page. A reminder that WDFW does not have resources to monitor ice depth or condition so anytime you walk out onto an ice covered lake, you are doing so at your own risk. To be safe, drill holes as you work your way to your preferred spot to determine ice depth. Never go out on a lake with ice less than four inches thick.
A reminder that Deer Lake in Stevens County became a year-round lake in 2024 so is available to be fished through the ice this winter.
Year-round trout fishing
Two of the lakes on the W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area –Blue and Spring- were stocked with trout prior to deer season and should be fishing well. The other lakes on the Wooten closed at the end of November.
Trout fishing is generally decent year-round at Lake Roosevelt and Lake Spokane (aka Long Lake). Both also have winter walleye and smallmouth fishing. At Lake Spokane, two of the three state boat launches close for winter. The launch near the mouth of the
Little Spokane River stays open all winter, but use it with caution during low water conditions due to rocks and other hazards. You can also fish off the bank from the turnouts off Highway 291 downstream of Tum Tum or between Nine Mile Dam and the mouth of the Little Spokane River.
Whitefish
If you are interested in river fishing, Dec. 1 is the opening of the whitefish season on part of the Little Spokane River (from the Highway 291 bridge upstream to Chain Lake). The daily catch limit is 15 fish of any size, but whitefish gear rules apply (one single-point hook, maximum size 3/16-inch point to shank- hook size 14). The whitefish season is also open on the Kettle River in Ferry/Stevens counties.
A reminder that the Little Spokane River closed to fishing on Oct.31 but opens Dec. 1 for whitefish. Regulations differ on the Little Spokane, depending where you fish so always be sure to review the current sport fishing rules pamphlet.
Hunting opportunities and news
Big Game Hunting Pamphlet photo contest
WDFW's 2025 Big Game Regulations Cover Photo Contest theme is “Hunters contributing to conservation.” We know that hunters contribute to conservation by purchasing state licenses, paying the Pittman-Robertson excise tax on equipment, and helping to meet management objectives through sustained harvest. We want to see all the other ways Washington hunters support wildlife management and conservation. Whether you’re educating new hunters, volunteering on habitat improvement projects on public or private land, staying involved in local outdoor associations, or contributing in other valuable ways, we want to see your photos! The deadline to submit photos is Feb. 13.
Waterfowl
The majority of waterfowl hunting seasons ended at the end of January but there are a handful of opportunities across the state that stretch into February. For more information, go to the 2024-2025 Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game Seasons pamphlet.
Small game seasons
If you need a reason to help get you outdoors as winter wears on, small game seasons are open until March 15, including for bobcat, fox, raccoon, cottontail and snowshoe hare-.
Hunter education
The winter slow period is a great time to prep for upcoming spring hunting seasons and complete a hunter education course if you haven't already. Hunter ed classes reinforce important firearm and hunting safety principles, hunting ethics, basic survival and first aid, wildlife identification and conservation. For more information, visit the Hunter Education webpage.
Shed hunting
Deer, elk and moose start to shed their antlers this time of year. Late winter months can be a difficult time for them as they try to conserve enough fat and energy stores to get through until spring. Because of this, we ask you to wait to hunt for sheds until April. Collecting naturally shed deer and elk antlers is legal but there are some ethical considerations to keep in mind and a few places that are restricted or off-limits. The easiest antler hunting is, of course, where deer or elk concentrate in the winter. But if many antler hunters descend on that area before wintering animals have left, the disturbance can threaten their survival at the harshest time of year. Some public lands have rules regarding shed hunting so do your homework before going out. And get permission from private landowners before entering their properties.
Wildlife watching and recreation
Spokane Great Outdoors & Bike Expo
Got cabin fever? Start planning what you’re going to do this spring and summer; Come see WDFW at the Spokane Great Outdoors & Bike Expo at the Spokane Convention Center February 22-23. There’s tons to see and do at the show and it’s a great place to learn more about mountain biking, paddling, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, camping and many, many more outdoor activities, and we will let you know some of the best places in the region to do them. WDFW staff will also host a seminar on the state of wolves in Washington.
Winter deer range
Winter gate closures are in effect on the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area in northeast Washington. The gates on TroutLake Road and Bisbee Mountain Road are locked Dec. 1 each year to prevent vehicles from entering the area to
protect deer on winter range. You are welcome to hike in past the gates but you have to wait to drive in until March 31.
Gates were also closed on the Asotin Creek Wildlife Area along South Fork, Lick Creek, and Cougar Creek roads for protection of big game on their winter range.
Wildlife feeding ban
A reminder that there is a ban on feeding deer, elk, and moose in game management units (GMUs) 124 (PDF), 127 (PDF), and 130 (PDF) in Spokane County, in an effort to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease. While we understand that people want to help wild animals, wildlife feeding is more harmful than helpful as it draws animals together where they can spread disease to each other. More information on this new rule is on WDFW’s CWD web page.
Muddy situations
If you travel Washington’s backroads as part of your adventures this time of year, be aware that some roads have restrictions due to winter conditions. The freeze/thaw cycle can turn dirt roads into a muddy mess and it's easy to get you stuck. Also plan to be prepared for all kinds of weather as conditions can change quickly in Washington. Plan ahead and pack boots, warm clothes, rain gear, and a shovel just in case.
Wildlife Program biweekly reports
To read reports published prior to 2023, visit the Biweekly Wildlife Program activity reports page.
2025
2024
Meet your Regional Director - Mike Kuttel, Jr.
Mike Kuttel Jr. is the Eastern Region (Region 1) Regional Director. Kuttel has been with WDFW since 2015 in two statewide policy positions focused on fish and wildlife conservation and providing recreational opportunities on public and private lands through federal farm bill conservation programs and partnering with the U.S. Forest Service and Washington State Department of Natural Resources on shared stewardship of forests.
Previously, he worked for conservation districts, the Washington State Conservation Commission, and Washington State Department of Ecology. He has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science. Kuttel is a lifelong Washington resident and has lived on both sides of the Cascades. He grew up in southwest Washington fishing and hunting. In his free time, Mike enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and foraging for mushrooms and berries with family.