2025 Puget Sound, Straits, San Juans Spot Shrimp Seasons Announced
The long-awaited 2025 Puget Sound spot shrimp season has just been announced by WDFW and will open May 21 in most areas, though Marine Areas 10 (outside Elliott Bay), 11 and 13 will be closed due to low abundance.
Washington 2025 Big Game Hunting Pamphlet Available
Season dates, permit levels, and information on new regulations around bear and cougar hunting, baiting, chronic wasting disease requirements and more are detailed in the 2025 Washington Big Game Hunting Regulations pamphlet, now available from WDFW.
Salmon Seasons Tentatively Set For Washington Waters
WDFW is detailing tentative 2025-26 Washington salmon fisheries, including bonus pinks in most inner Puget Sound fisheries, Skykomish summer Chinook, Skagit-Baker sockeye, ocean kings and coho, and Buoy 10 fall fish, among others. The proposals now go to NMFS for final approval.
SW WA, Lower Columbia Fishing Report (4-14-25)
Early to mid-April 2025 spring Chinook and steelhead catch stats for the Lower Columbia and select Southwest Washington tributaries including That One.
Oregon Wolf Numbers Surge Anew To At Least 204
Oregon’s wolf population grew to a minimum of 204 wolves across the state at the end of 2024, an increase of 15 percent over the previous tally, according to the just-released annual report.
More Details On Newest Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission Member Emerge
More details are emerging on Washington’s newest Fish and Wildlife Commission member, as well as reformists’ reaction to Governor Bob Ferguson’s Monday appointments.
Heads Up On Potential Changes To Eastern Oregon Mule Deer Hunts Starting In 2026
ODFW details potential new mule deer hunt unit names, changes to long-standing area boundaries, and why there may be slightly fewer tags on tap for the species during the 2026 season east of the Cascades. Final decision from the Fish and Wildlife Commission comes in September.
Lower Columbia Reopening For Spring Chinook
Fishing for hatchery spring Chinook will reopen on the Lower Columbia April 11-13 and 15-17, salmon managers at WDFW and ODFW decided this afternoon.
Article Warns That DC Cuts May Impact Future Puget Sound Chinook Fishing, Returns
A New York Times article out this morning details how Chinook production at nearly a dozen hatcheries in Western Washington is said to be in “limbo” because cuts back in DC put a critical National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration staffer out of a job, placing future fisheries at risk.
SW WA, Lower Columbia Fishing Report (4-8-25)
Early April 2025 spring Chinook and steelhead catch stats for the Lower Columbia and select Southwest Washington tributaries.
‘Thanks’; ‘Pleasantly Surprised’ – More Reaction To WDFW Commission Appointments
The reviews continue to roll in on yesterday’s pleasing appointments to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission – reaction from NWIFC, RMEF, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, former Commissioner Kim Thorburn, Chair Barbara Baker, Puget Sound Anglers state board, and Commissioner Molly Linville.
Skagit, Sauk Wild Steelhead Fishery To Close After This Thursday
An inseason runsize downgrade of nearly 1,900 wild steelhead is leading state managers to close all fishing on the Sauk and Skagit Rivers effective the end of the day, April 10. Tribal managers are also closing their fisheries.
Ferguson Names Washington Fish And Wildlife Commission Members
Molly Linville will return to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, Jim Anderson has been reappointed, and an Anacortes man will also join the citizen panel.
WDFW Releases Annual Washington Wolf Count
A minimum of 230 wolves roamed the Evergreen State at the end of last year, a decrease over the previous count and ending 15 straight years of population growth, though the number of packs grew and overall numbers have still grown 20 percent annually since 2008, even with the one-year decline.
Bear And Cougar Hunting Rules Approved By Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission approved WDFW-recommended cougar and bear hunting rules nearly unanimously this afternoon.
WDFW Commission Acquires 655 Acres On North Side Of Willapa Bay
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission voted late this morning to acquire 655 acres in Pacific County for waterfowl, salmon habitat restoration and improve recreational access.