Discover Eastern Washington

Fishing is underway in full force

The annual fishing opener was the last Saturday in April and had a great turnout for the most part, probably owing to the gorgeous unseasonably warm weather. Area lakes were stocked ahead of the opener and most are starting to fish pretty well as the water warms up. 

In northeast Washington, Waitts, Cedar, Rocky, and Starvation lakes in Stevens County and Diamond and Sacheen lakes in Pend Oreille County are traditionally good opening day fishing lakes.  To find out what each lake was stocked with, and when, check the WDFW Catchable trout plant reports web page. 

Liberty Lake is known for its' early spring great brown trout fishing, while Deer Lake, southeast of Chewelah, is best for lake trout about this time. Amber Lake in southwest Spokane County is consistently good for rainbow and cutthroat trout. Amber is under selective gear rules and there is a one trout over 18 inches daily limit through Nov. 30. Also, boat motors are prohibited at Amber. 
 
At the W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area in southeast Washington’s Columbia County, the lakes that are fed by the Tucannon River in the area, Blue, Spring, and Rainbow lakes, were stocked in both the fall and again this spring, along with Deer and Watson lakes.  

Lake Roosevelt, the reservoir of the Columbia River, fishes well pretty much anytime of year so is always a good option. 

Annual Trout Derby 

WDFW’s 25th annual Trout Derby kicked off the same day as the annual spring fishing opener. There are thousands of dollars in prizes available to anyone with a valid 2025 fishing license who pulls in a tagged fish. No entrance fee or registration is required. Just catch a tagged trout anytime between April 27 and Oct. 31 and win!  

Spring wild turkey 

The spring wild turkey season is in full swing and a lot of people are reporting that they've already gotten their turkey(s)! The season runs through May 31 so it's not too late to get started if you're interested in hunting these big birds this year. More information on turkey season is in the 2025 Spring Season Wild Turkey Hunting Regulation Pamphlet. 

The northeast area of WDFW’s Region 1 brings many people from not just all over the state but all over the country for its’ renowned turkey hunting. It not only has a lot of turkeys, but big ones. WDFW’s LeClerc and Rustlers Gulch Unit wildlife areas are great hunting spots, or there are lots of good turkey hunting areas on public lands in the area. 

In southeast Washington, WDFW’s Asotin Creek, Chief Joseph, and W.T. Wooten wildlife areas have good turkey hunting each year. 
 
If you like wild turkey (brine and smoke the breasts for a delicious meal!) you’re in luck- in Spokane County you can harvest up to three birds during the spring season. 

Wildlife feeding ban 

WDFW has passed a statewide ban on feeding deer, elk, and moose, or any feeding that causes those species to congregate, in an effort to limit the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD). The proposal also includes a ban on baiting deer, elk, and moose while hunting, for the same reason. CWD spreads through bodily fluids and areas where these animals congregate are hotspots for transmission. A full description of the proposal and how to provide your input is available on WDFW’s rule making web page.   

Leave wild babies wild 

A reminder that if you run into fawns, baby birds, or other young animals, please leave them be, even if they appear to be orphaned or abandoned. Most animals have a parent foraging or hunting nearby. Read our blog to learn about when not to rescue wildlife. This is more important than ever as ungulates such as fawns can no longer be taken to rehabilitators when removed from their mothers in WDFW’s Region 1. This is to prevent the risk of spreading chronic wasting disease to other animals at rehabilitators. More information is on WDFW’s website.