Discover Coastal Washington

Skokomish river winds through its estuary

Coastal - Region 6

Customer service staff in the Montesano Regional Office are available for walk-in service 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Port Townsend District Office will be open by appointment only. Please call 360-302-3030 to schedule an appointment.

Counties served
Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Thurston
Office hours
Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. excluding legal holidays
Phone
360-249-4628
Email
TeamMontesano@dfw.wa.gov

48 Devonshire Road
Montesano, WA 98563
United States

Director
Vacant

Fishing tips and news

New to fishing in Washington? Check out our Fish Washington blog post for a guide on how to get started. 

2023-24 Sport Fishing Rules 

The 2023-24 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet is available online and at hundreds of license dealers around the state. The updated rules can help anglers make decisions about how to spend their time on the water. 

Current fishing regulations and emergency Fishing Rule Changes are also available online at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations

Coastal recreational bottomfishing opens March 9

Recreational coastal bottomfishing season opens March 9. Learn more and review regulations in our news release.

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Lingcod.
Photo by Kelly Rollins

Bottomfish regulations remain the same as in 2023. Anglers are reminded that possession of copper rockfish, quillback rockfish, and vermilion rockfish will be prohibited in May, June, and July, when peak effort for bottomfish occurs. 

Yelloweye rockfish retention is prohibited in all areas of Washington and yelloweye rockfish must be released. Anglers are reminded that a descending device must be on board vessels and rigged for immediate use when fishing for or possessing bottomfish and halibut. Information about descending devices can be found on WDFW’s webpage.

A bottomfish limit doesn’t include halibut, which is a daily limit of one halibut.

Surfperch and shiner perch are not part of the bottomfish limit. Surfperch has a daily limit of 12 and shiner perch has a daily limit of 15 with no minimum size restriction. Fishing is open on the second Saturday in March through the third Saturday in October except fishing for surfperch is open year-round from the beach.

Fishing for, retaining or possessing sixgill, sevengill, and thresher sharks is closed in all marine areas. A sixgill shark may not be removed from the water.

Coastal steelhead season runs through March

WDFW fishery managers have announced regulations for the state’s 2023-24 coastal steelhead fishing season. Included are special rules allowing fishing from a floating device on two sections of the Hoh River during certain days of the week to help determine impacts to wild steelhead.

Fishing is scheduled to be open through March 31 with some opportunities to fish from a floating device. Selective gear rules and single point barbless hooks will be required on all systems open to fishing. These include: 

  • Quillayute River System 
  • Hoh River 
  • Willapa Bay River System (select tributaries closed Feb. 28) 

For full details on the season and regulations, see our news release.

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A hatchery steelhead is released into Lake Inez in Elma in January 2022.
Photo by WDFW

Lakes provide hatchery steelhead fishing opportunities

WDFW staff are releasing hundreds of surplus adult hatchery steelhead into coastal and southwest Washington lakes that are open year-round for fishing. The plants will provide anglers an opportunity to harvest hatchery steelhead without affecting wild fish populations.

Planted fish will have a tag along their dorsal fin with a phone number for WDFW staff. Please call the number and answer a few questions to help us track the program’s success.

Learn more in our blog post, which will be updated throughout the next few months.

Try our Fish Washington 2.0 app

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Fish Washington mobile app

WDFW is launching an updated version of the Fish Washington app, Fish Washington 2.0, and you can provide feedback on the changes.

Fish Washington is a mobile application designed to convey up-to-the-minute fishing regulations for every lake, river, stream, and marine area in the state. The updated version addresses issues reported by users on both iOS and Android platforms.

Download the new app on the WDFW website and send comments to MobileAppDev@dfw.wa.gov. Fish Washington 2.0 will officially launch in spring 2024.

See our news release for full details.

See you at the Ocean Shores Razor Clam and Seafood Festival

WDFW will have a booth at the Ocean Shores Razor Clam and Seafood Festival March 15-17 at the Ocean Shores Convention Center, 120 W Chance a La Mer NW.

Admission is free, and the event will feature food booths, vendors, live music, crab dinners, a chowder contest, and more. Visit the event website for full details.

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Razor clam diggers try their luck at sunset on a coastal beach
Photo by WDFW

Coastal razor clam digs are tentatively planned through March 31 depending on biotoxin levels. Open beaches may include Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks and Copalis, though not all beaches will be open for every dig.

The daily limit is 15 clams per person, and you must keep the first 15 clams you dig, regardless of size or condition. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container. 

See our latest news release for more information. Check the razor clam page before heading out to confirm beach openings. Domoic acid toxin levels are tested regularly by WDFW and Department of Health; more information is available on the domoic acid webpage.

Hunting opportunities and news

For an overview of hunting in Washington and how to get started, visit our Hunt Washington blog post.

2023-24 Hunting Regulations 

The 2023-24 Game Bird and Small Game Hunting Regulations and Big Game Hunting Regulations pamphlets are available online and at hundreds of license dealers around the state. The updated rules can help hunters make decisions about how to spend their time in the field. 

Current hunting regulations are also available online at wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations.

Late season goose hunt runs select dates

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A Canada goose stands in shallow water.
Photo by Ty Smedes

A late season goose hunt, including Canada, cackling, snow, and white-fronted geese, will occur in Goose Management Area (GMA) 2 Inland on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays through March 6. This GMA includes Grays Harbor County east of Highway 101.

During this time, national wildlife refuges and WDFW lands will be closed to goose hunting as a management tool to reduce agricultural depredation on private lands. Hunters should check the WDFW website for specific areas where hunting is allowed and other rules; scouting and private lands access will be key to consistent success.

Geese will be migrating northward and can be found in groups throughout February and March. Please note: electronic calls are not allowed for goose hunting in GMA 2 during this late-season goose hunt. For details, refer to the Migratory Game Bird Regulations.

Small game hunting 

The statewide rabbit and snowshoe hare season is open through March 15. For more information, visit the Small Bird & Small Game hunting webpage.

Wild turkey hunting 

Looking further down the calendar, the statewide spring wild turkey hunting season runs from April 15 to May 31 for the general season, while a special youth only hunt takes place April 1-7. For additional details, visit the Wild Turkey hunting webpage.

Share feedback on three-year hunting season setting 

WDFW is accepting public comments on proposed rule changes to 2024-26 hunting season regulations.

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Black-tailed deer
Photo by WDFW

Proposals included in this rule making are related to game management unit boundaries, landowner hunting permits, pelt inspection and sealing requirements, weapon and hunting attire requirements, trapping, and various rules related to big game, small game, and migratory gamebirds. Descriptions of each proposed rule change are available online.

The public may submit comments online, via email, by calling 1-855-925-2802 and entering project code 1378; or by mailing Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife ATTN: Wildlife Program, P.O. Box 43200, Olympia, WA 98504. March 25 is the deadline to submit comments through any of these methods.

Those interested in providing verbal comments during a virtual public hearing on March 26 should pre-register online. Registration for public comment closes at 8 a.m. the day of the meeting.

Wildlife watching and recreation

Find more tips on our wildlife viewing webpage. 

Celebrate World Wildlife Day and Washington's biodiversity

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Wild Washington March 2024
Photo by Melvin Gildow

March 3 is World Wildlife Day! This makes March a great month to learn more about Washington’s wildlife.

Our variety of ecosystems and species is called biodiversity. Celebrate biodiversity and Washington’s wildlife with your family this month by engaging in our family educational resources. From Habitat at Home activities to learning about invasive species, these resources are a great way to get outdoors and celebrate Washington’s rich abundance of wildlife. 

Head out on the Great Washington State Birding Trail

As we move into spring, it’s the perfect time to plan your next wildlife viewing adventure! Our wildlife viewing webpage offers a variety of resources to help you prepare.

The Great Washington State Birding Trail is an outstanding resource that highlights the best places for bird watching in Washington. Described in full-color maps, birds are identified on seven routes, along with descriptions of habitat, access, and when to go. 

Wild Ways: Why Keeping Washington's Habitat Connected Matters

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Video title page
Photo by Ted Grudowski

Animals rely on movement to survive, in pursuit of food, resources, and seasonal habitat. As Washington's human population grows, the state's natural habitats grow increasingly fragmented. Habitat connectivity is about ensuring animals have the freedom of movement they need to thrive, and WDFW is working hard with its partners to help improve those connections across Washington. 

Check out the "Wild Ways" video on YouTube. Produced by Ted Grudowski and Darrin Gunkel, along with WDFW and Conservation Northwest, the video features staff from WDFW, Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), local conservationists, and Conservation Northwest.

Conserving species and habitats

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Fern fiddleheads
Photo by Lori Myers

Habitat at Home: Hold off on spring cleaning

Planning a spring cleaning of an outdoor space? Here’s a few tips to support the wildlife!  

Where possible, leave snags and fallen trees to provide habitat, incorporate logs into your landscaping for wildlife shelter, and save cleaning up the leaves and other yard debris until after our first full week of 50-degree weather. This allows beneficial overwintering insects to hatch or awaken. 

Visit a native plant sale, get Habitat at Home certified

WDFW will be at two native plant sales in the Coastal Region this month to promote our wildlife habitat stewardship program, Habitat at Home. Stop by our booth to certify your habitat – small and large – and we'll give you a sign on-site!

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Native plant sale gnome
Photo by WDFW

Thurston County Conservation District’s annual Native Plant Festival and Sale will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at the Thurston County Fairgrounds, 3054 Carpenter Road SE, Lacey.  Pierce Conservation District’s annual Native Plant Sale will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 16, at 308 West Stewart Ave., Puyallup.

Native plants are the best way to naturally provide food, water, shelter, and space for wildlife. They require less maintenance than non-native plants, help reduce stormwater runoff, and increase biodiversity. Providing habitat on private property allows wildlife to move more safely through developed areas and reach the green spaces they need for survival.

Pre-orders are closed for both events, but you can still buy plants at the walk-up sales. Learn more at store.thurstoncd.com and piercenativeplantsale.com/walk-up-sale.html.

Submit comments on bald eagles, peregrine falcons

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An adult peregrine falcon flying low over the water at Samish Flats, Skagit Wildlife Area
Photo by WDFW

WDFW is seeking public input on its draft periodic status reviews for the bald eagle and peregrine falcon.

Both species have previously been removed from Washington’s list of state endangered species due to population recovery in the state. Based on the latest available information, WDFW biologists recommend that both birds retain their status as successfully recovered.

The public comment periods for the bald eagle and peregrine falcon draft status reviews are open through May 27. The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is tentatively scheduled to consider these topics in June. Learn more in our news release.

Cases of mistaken crab identity underscore request to report and release suspected European green crabs

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European green crab identification graphic, 2022
Photo by WDFW

In February, our Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) unit received a report from a concerned member of the public who claimed to have collected nine invasive European green crabs from a Hood Canal beach. Upon reviewing their photos, we quickly determined these were in fact helmet crabs, a common native species unlawful to kill or retain.

While we appreciate their concern about invasive species, the reporting party was reminded to photograph and report suspected European green crabs using the form at wdfw.wa.gov/greencrab, leaving the crab in question where it was found.

Incidents like this are one reason why WDFW has not yet opened recreational harvest for European green crabs in Washington. Other reasons include restrictions on access to private tidelands and shellfish beds, and concerns about bycatch of protected fish and shellfish, especially if traps are exposed during low tide. Read more in our blog post.