Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

06/19/2026

Looking for places to wet a line and enjoy quality time with dad this weekend? With more than 60 public piers from Tacoma to Bellingham, you don’t need a boat to get out on the water in Puget Sound.

This heartwarming story from Pacific NW Magazine is a great resource for planning a family fishing trip. For more tips on where to go, refer to our webpage: wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/fishing-piers

A father explores Puget Sound fishing piers to fulfill a son's quest and finds more than he expected.

06/18/2026

Changes are coming to Columbia River sockeye fisheries based on early return data showing lower-than-forecast returns.

Recreational sockeye fisheries in the Upper Columbia River will not open July 1, and the Hanford Reach sockeye fishery will close June 20. Fishery managers from Oregon and Washington also reduced the lower Columbia River sockeye retention season to June 27–July 5.

These in-season adjustments reflect updated return information and help preserve flexibility as fishery managers continue evaluating the run.

Full details, including location-specific changes, are available in WDFW’s news release.

OLYMPIA – Changes are coming to planned sockeye salmon fisheries throughout the Columbia River, as early return data shows abundances are much lower

06/18/2026

If you’re hitting the water with dad or grandpa this weekend, help Protect Our Waters from aquatic invasive species (AIS) by practicing Clean, Drain, Dry! AIS threaten native species and habitats, outdoor recreation opportunities, our economy, infrastructure, and public health.

If it’s been in the water, it could be contaminated with AIS. Learn more about Clean, Drain, Dry at our website: https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/invasive/prevention/clean-drain-dry

06/18/2026

Time to start making plans for your next summer salmon fishing trip! The 2026–2027 recreational salmon fishing season package was approved by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife on June 11 with many fisheries now underway or set to begin soon. Read more by going to our blog.

Latest update (June 17): 2026–2027 recreational salmon fishing season package approved

06/18/2026

Pollinator Week awaits!

June 22-28, people around the nation will celebrate the animals that keep our plants thriving. Washington’s bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, and hummingbirds play crucial roles in plant reproduction and agriculture. Let’s celebrate the tiny heroes that make our world bloom!

How to celebrate Pollinator Week:
• Experience a pollinator habitat: Visit a Master Gardener Foundation demonstration garden and witness pollination in action.
• Create habitat for pollinators: Build a pollinator drinking puddle to provide a refreshing spot for our busy neighbors.
• Get to know your local pollinators: Join the Pollinator Week Bioblitz on iNaturalist and help document the pollinators around you.
• Certify your pollinator garden: Have a pollinator garden? Certify it with and show off your pollinator friendly space!
• Vancouver event: Join WDFW this Saturday at Vancouver Pollinator Festival for garden tours, kids activities, community art, and speakers!

Keep an eye out for more Pollinator Week posts next week!

Image: Blue orchard mason bee in flight (USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab)

06/17/2026

The Marine Area 11 (Tacoma and Vashon Island Area) hatchery Chinook daily limit will be increased to two beginning Thursday, June 18; and the ocean salmon fishery at Ilwaco, Westport-Ocean Shores, La Push, and Neah Bay (Marine Areas 1, 2, 3, and 4) opens Saturday, June 20. For details, refer to our blog.

Latest update (June 17): Marine Area 11 (Tacoma and Vashon Island Area) hatchery Chinook daily limit increased to two. Ocean salmon fishing…

06/17/2026

Did you know? Orcas use echolocation to hunt, which is why staying 1,000 yards away from endangered Southern Resident killer whales is critical for giving them the quiet waters they need to navigate the waters of the Salish Sea.

Some underwater transducers such as depth finders can also overlap with the echolocation frequencies used by SRKW. If you're traversing areas where Southern Residents may be present, consider setting these devices to 200 kHz frequency or even temporarily turning them off if you aren't actively using them.

For more information about how you can help protect these killer whales when spending time on the water in Washington, visit wdfw.wa.gov/orca

06/17/2026

Summer crab fishing seasons will get underway July 2 in several Puget Sound marine areas! Other marine areas will open later in July or in mid-August.

“Crabbers will find that the 2026 summer seasons are similar to those in 2025,” said Don Velasquez, a WDFW crustacean biologist.

"Crabbing should continue to be strong in northern marine areas such as Admiralty Inlet, Deception Pass, Port Susan, and around the San Juan Islands,” said Velasquez. “However increasing effort and lower Dungeness crab abundance observed during recent surveys by WDFW and tribal biologists require us to limit crabbing to two days per week in marine areas around Seattle and Tacoma in central and south-central Puget Sound.”

Refer to our news release to learn more: wdfw.wa.gov/newsroom/news-release/recreational-crabbing-open-july-2-many-puget-sound-marine-areas

Summer seasons for the upcoming fishery, as well as area maps and other resources, are also posted on WDFW's recreational crab seasons and areas webpage.

All crabbers in the Puget Sound Management Area regardless of age must possess a Puget Sound Crab Endorsement and paper or electronic catch record card (CRC/eCRC).

Puget Sound crabbers are required to record their harvest of Dungeness crab on their CRC/eCRC immediately after retaining the crab and before re-deploying crabbing gear. A separate CRC/eCRC is issued for the summer and winter seasons. Anglers who crab in Marine Area 7 North and South after Labor Day will need a winter CRC/eCRC.

WDFW will have catch samplers (also known as creel checkers) at many boat launches and water access sites this summer to gather additional information from recreational crabbers. Catch samplers typically measure Dungeness crabs and obtain a total weight of the crabs retained to monitor the health of the population. The information these staff collect is important for crab fishery management.

WDFW asks all crabbers and fishers to respect catch sampling staff and understand that in some locations boats may be checked for both Dungeness crab and for salmon or other finfish.

Photo by Nicholas Jones of a happy family of crabbers on central Puget Sound with their catch of Dungeness during a previous summer season.

06/17/2026

Summer is a popular time to explore the rocky shorelines in Washington. If you’ve ever wanted to go tidepooling, we’ve got a great blog to help you get started: https://wdfw.medium.com/a-treasure-trove-in-tidepools-37b2af895ce1

A few tips before you head out:

Remember, you’re visiting another animal’s home. Pick up trash, be careful where you step, and leave creatures on their rocks or in crevices.

Make sure your hands are free of sunscreen, lotions, or sanitizers before touching animals (lightly!) with two fingers…
…and know what you’re touching before doing so to make sure that you know it’s safe.

Jumping or skipping across rocks might not end well- these surfaces can be very slippery, and barnacles can be sharp! Having shoes with good grip will be helpful.

Always face the ocean to prevent “sneaker” waves or incoming tides.

06/16/2026

Plan a family adventure! With over 100 lakes in Washington stocked with tagged trout, the WDFW Trout Derby is great opportunity to spend time outdoors with those you love. You might even win a prize.

Find out more about the WDFW Trout Derby, participating lakes and our fantastic prize donors at www.wdfwderby.com

Photo: A man and a young boy fish together on the shore of a lake on a sunny day.