Discover South Central Washington

Columbia River salmon and steelhead

The 2025 Columbia River sockeye forecast of 350,200 is about half of last year’s record return, however this year’s forecast is slightly higher than the 10-year recent average return and predicted to be a good return. 

The Columbia River sockeye fishery on the Hanford Reach opens June 16. Above Priest Rapids Dam will open July 1, with both areas allowing a four-sockeye daily limit. 

Fall fisheries in the Columbia River from Buoy 10 to the Highway 395 Bridge in Pasco are planned for an Aug. 1 opener, with different dates by area for Chinook and coho. This includes steelhead restrictions throughout the river. The coho run size is expected to provide similar fishing opportunities. The Chinook run size is slightly improved since last year's return and expected to provide good fishing opportunities.

Be sure to check the current Washington State fishing regulations and emergency rule changes for the most updated information before heading out as seasons and dates can change. You can find additional salmon season information by going to the salmon fishing blog and news release.

Free Fishing Weekend 

Free Fishing Weekend is June 7-8 this year. During those two days, fishing licenses are not required to fish for certain species in Washington. While no licenses are required for some species on Free Fishing Weekend, it's still important to check the regulations for size limits, bag limits, and area closures that will still be in effect. Please see the Fishing Regulation Pamphlet for all rules and restrictions.

Free Fishing Weekend in Washington coincides with Discover Pass free days, when the Discover Pass is not required to park on land managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Parks, or WDFW. Other requirements waived during Free Fishing Weekend include a Vehicle Access Pass (which comes with most fishing licenses) and a Two-Pole Endorsement (where applicable).

Trout fishing

The annual WDFW Trout Derby, where you can win all kinds of prizes along with your catch, is heating up. Check our Derby webpage for details.

Many lakes in the south-central region are open year-round, and thousands of rainbow trout are waiting to be caught in early summer. You can find out what South Central lakes were planted with fish recently by going to the WDFW trout stocking plan. Be sure to check special regulations for all lakes you plan to fish to make sure nothing has changed.  offer a chance for some solitude and rewarding fishing for eager trout. High mountain lakes offer a chance for some solitude and rewarding fishing for eager trout. Check out our high lakes stocking page for more details. 

Get paid to fish!

The 2025 Northern Pikeminnow Sport-Reward fishery, which pays anglers $6-$10 for each qualifying fish, continues until the end of September. This program targets large northern pikeminnow, the primary fish predator of juvenile salmon and steelhead throughout the Columbia and Snake River systems. Anglers are paid for each Northern Pikeminnow they catch (from within program boundaries) that is nine inches or larger in total length. The goal is to harvest 10 to 20 percent of the larger fish that might prey on endangered or threatened salmon and steelhead species. Visit the program webpage for more information. 

White sturgeon fishing  

There are no open retention seasons for sturgeon on the lower Columbia River reservoirs including John Day. Fishing in open areas is limited to catch-and-release only. Please review the Washington Sport Fishing Rules for restrictions on sturgeon fishing including the upstream section of the Hanford Reach.

Bass, catfish, and walleye heating up 

Catch rates should improve on area rivers for smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and walleye through spring. Some of the year’s best fishing for channel catfish and smallmouth bass will be in June in the Yakima, Palouse, and Walla Walla rivers. Walleye fishing is excellent in many reservoirs in the Columbia River from The Dalles upstream to Wanapum in the Columbia River, Lake Herbert G West (Lower Monumental Reservoir) in the Lower Snake River, plus Moses Lake, Potholes Reservoir, Scooteney, Banks Lake, and Lake Roosevelt. Now is a good time to plan a trip.

During Bass Week in early July, we’ll highlight some of the best bass waters in Washington, provide bass fishing tips, and answer your questions on all things bass. 

Public access closure at Klickitat Salmon Hatchery

Public access to the Klickitat River through the Klickitat Salmon Hatchery near Glenwood is still closed for construction. The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, with funding from the Bonneville Power Administration, is leading a $35 million effort to modernize the 75-year-old facility and support long-term salmon recovery goals in the Klickitat River basin.

Construction is expected to be completed by fall 2026, with public access reopening once the project is complete. Boating or rafting from launch sites upstream of the hatchery is not recommended due to hazards associated with a low-head dam on the Klickitat River near the hatchery. 

Vernita Bridge access

The Vernita Bridge access to the Hanford Reach fall Chinook fishery will be open for the fall season. Similar to last year, camping and parking will be limited to a smaller footprint for safety and to protect area resources. Camping at the site will not be allowed in 2026. Requirements will be posted, the area will be patrolled by WDFW enforcement, and alternative camping sites are being investigated for future fishing seasons. For more information, please see WDFW’s news release and blog.

Target shooting 

Annual summer target shooting rules are in effect on the WDFW-managed Wenas Wildlife Area. Target shooting hours are restricted every year to reduce the risk of wildfire. Starting May 15 through Sept. 30, target shooting, including at the Sheep Company Road shooting range, is limited to the hours between sunrise and 10 a.m. This temporary restriction will continue until a full shooting closure goes into effect later this summer due to fire danger. 

WDFW has restricted target shooting on the Wenas every summer since 2012. Seasonal restrictions improve safety for adjacent landowners and protect wildlife habitat by reducing fire risk. WDFW staff ask that visitors to any wildlife area check local fire danger information and take precautions to avoid igniting a wildfire. 

New restriction at Yakima Training Center

Spring turkey reports

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. 

Fire restrictions in effect

Beginning in July, there are restrictions in effect for activities on WDFW-managed lands in Eastern Washington to help reduce the risk of wildfire. Visit WDFW’s website for specifics. Notice will be posted there when fire restrictions are lifted, usually in early October. As a reminder, fireworks are prohibited year-round on WDFW-managed lands statewide. WDFW staff ask that visitors to any wildlife area check local fire danger information and take precautions to avoid igniting a wildfire.

Gates open for wildlife viewing

The Oak Creek, Wenas, LT Murray, and Colockum wildlife area seasonal closures are now over, and visitors are required to display a current WDFW Vehicle Access Pass or Discover Pass for vehicle access to all WDFW lands and boat launches. Information about purchasing a state Discover Pass is available on the Discover Pass website. 

These areas are part of a cooperatively managed “Green Dot” road management system, which allows vehicle travel on the roads marked with a round green reflector on a white route marker, providing access for camping, hunting, wildlife viewing, and other uses, while protecting fish and wildlife and their habitats. Green Dot Maps are available for download either in pdf format, or as part of a free app which can be used on your smartphone to track your location on the map.

There are no developed campgrounds in any of these areas, and campfires are prohibited through Oct. 15. In addition to WDFW’s Wildlife Areas page, the Washington Trails Association is a great resource for information on hikes in the southcentral region and across the state.

Wildlife feeding ban

Per a rule approved by the WDFW director, effective May 17, 2025 it is illegal to feed deer, elk, and moose in Washington, as feeding draws animals together where they can spread disease such as chronic wasting disease (CWD). It is also illegal to place feed for other wildlife if it causes deer, elk, or moose to congregate. WDFW is evaluating its own wildlife feeding practices in areas where elk are fed to reduce human-wildlife conflict in agricultural areas. Check WDFW’s page on wildlife feeding and recent blog for more information. 

WDFW confirmed the presence CWD in Washington in 2024. The statewide ban on feeding deer, elk, and moose is designed to limit the prevalence and spread of CWD by not congregating wildlife in areas where they are being fed, which can spread diseases.  If you see sick or dead animals, please report them to your regional WDFW office or use the online reporting form.

Wildlife interaction cautions 

June is another busy month for the birth of baby animals. If you run into fawns, baby birds, or other young animals, please leave them be, even if they appear to be abandoned. Most animals have a parent foraging or hunting nearby. Read our blog to learn about when not to rescue wildlife and what to do if you encounter certain species. 

Be sure to watch out for rattlesnakes now that things are heating up. Read more about living with wildlife.

Black bears have emerged from their winter dens hungry after months of not eating. During this time, please secure un-natural food sources to reduce bear encounters – especially around your home or on the trail. Over 90 percent of human-bear conflicts result from bears being conditioned to associate food with humans. A wild bear can become permanently food-conditioned after only one handout experience. The unintended reality is that these bears will likely die, being killed by someone protecting their property, or by a wildlife manager having to remove a potentially dangerous bear. Unintentionally feeding bears can also lead to habituated bears. If you live in bear country, be sure to secure your trash inside a garage or shed or invest in a commercially-available bear-proof trash container. For more information on avoiding bear conflicts of all kinds, visit the black bear WDFW webpage.

It’s a great time to get outside and see your local pollinators! From bees to butterflies and moths to hummingbirds, all of Washington’s pollinators have a role to play in plant reproduction. Discover who’s buzzing and fluttering around your neighborhood and learn how to support their habitat. 

As Pollinator Week buzzes into action June 16-22, families can embark on a journey to safeguard our vital pollinators and engage in activities that can be done near and away from the home. Grab your smartphone, download iNaturalist, and join Pollinator Partnerships’ national pollinator bioblitz (PDF). 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! 

To read reports published prior to 2023, visit the Biweekly Wildlife Program activity reports page.

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Photo by WDFW

Mike Livingston, the South Central Regional Director (Region 3) grew up fishing, hunting and playing in the forests of southeast Michigan. He received a bachelor’s degree in Conservation from Northern Michigan University, a bachelor’s degree in Fish and Wildlife Management from Michigan State University and a master’s in Wildlife Science from New Mexico State University.

Since 1996 Mike has worked in eastern Washington and held wildlife biologist positions with the Army’s Yakima Training Center, the Yakama Nation, and WDFW as District Wildlife Biologist in the Tri-Cities. In 2012, he was promoted to his current position as WDFW’s Region 3 Director. As Regional Director, he oversees operations in the region and gets to work on big collaborative conservation projects such as the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan. When not working, you can often find him outside with his: family, friends, dog, shotgun, fishing rod, and/or backpack.