Western Outdoor Times - Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!

OLYMPIA – Recreational fishing and hunting licenses for the 2017-2018 season, which begins April 1, 2017, are available for sale today. Typically, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (... Full story

OLYMPIA – Puget Sound marine areas currently open for recreational winter crabbing will close at 5 p.m. on Dec. 31, after which all sport crabbers licensed to fish for Dungeness crab in the Sound w... Full story

OLYMPIA – The state's new recreational license sales system became operational this week, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) officials say the switch from the old system went as s... Full story

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has lifted restrictions on most department-managed lands in eastern Washington, where cooler temperatures have reduced fire danger.... Full story

OLYMPIA – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission today took action to further protect redband rainbow trout at Lake Roosevelt, a Columbia River reservoir in northeast Washington. The c... Full story

Action: Remove daily limits and size limits; extend the fishing season on two lakes scheduled for rehabilitation. Species affected: All fish species. Dates and locations: Blue Lake (Grant Co.):... Full story

September 8, 2016 Contact: Larry Phillips 360-902-2721 Olympia – Anglers claimed more than 340 prizes during the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) first annual statewide fishing der... Full story

September 8, 2016 Action: Anglers are required to release chinook salmon that have a ¼-inch diameter (round) hole punched in the upper lobe of the caudal (tail) fin Effective dates: Sept. 15 – Oc... Full story

September 8, 2016 Contact: Kyle Adicks, (360) 902-2664 OLYMPIA – Anglers will have the opportunity to fish for coho salmon in Lake Washington starting Sept. 16, state salmon managers announced t... Full story

Aug. 8, 2016 Contact: Commission Office, (360) 902-2267 OLYMPIA – Washington sport anglers soon will have two new options for fishing licenses after action taken by the Washington Fish and Wildlife C... Full story

OLYMPIA – Beginning July 1, recreational anglers will have the opportunity to harvest hatchery sturgeon from Wanapum and Priest Rapids reservoirs, state fishery managers announced today. This is t... Full story

Action: Closes retention of sturgeon in Bonneville Pool. The one-day retention opener scheduled for July 1 is rescinded. Effective dates: Immediately until further notice. Species affected: White... Full story

Fisheries managers are seeking public input through July 25 on proposals for changing the daily catch limit on trout at Lake Roosevelt, the Columbia River reservoir in northeast Washington. The... Full story

OLYMPIA – Puget Sound-area fisheries that closed during an impasse in salmon-season negotiations will reopen immediately, state fish managers announced today. Regulations for fisheries in Puget S... Full story

Action: Opens Icicle River for hatchery chinook salmon. Effective dates: May 16, 2016, until further notice. Species affected: Hatchery spring chinook salmon. Locations: Icicle River (Chelan County).... Full story

Action: Increase limit to two adult spring chinook. Effective date: Immediately. Species affected: Chinook salmon. Locations: A) Below Ice Harbor Dam: Snake River from the South Bound Highway 12... Full story

Action: Close the all-depth recreational halibut fishery in Marine Area 2 (Westport). The nearshore area will remain open seven days per week until further notice. Effective date: Immediately Species... Full story

OLYMPIA – The sportfishing season for spring chinook salmon on the Columbia River will reopen for three days beginning later this week under an agreement reached yesterday by fishery managers from W... Full story

Action: Close Lake Aberdeen to fishing by the public for 12 hours prior to the kids-only fishing event. Lake Aberdeen will reopen at 5:30 a.m. on May 14, 2016. Effective dates: 5:30 p.m. May 13... Full story

Action: Drano Lake anglers may retain up to 4 adult spring chinook salmon. Effective dates: May 15 through June 30, 2016 Species affected: Salmon and steelhead Location: Downstream of markers on... Full story

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is accepting letters of interest through June 15 for membership on its Hunter Education Instructor Advisory Committee (IAC). The g... Full story

OLYMPIA – Clam diggers have one last chance to dig razor clams this season during a final opening set to begin May 20. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved a last round of d... Full story

Action: Close Lake Sylvia to public fishing 12 hours prior to a scheduled kids-only fishing event. The lake will reopen to fishing by the general public at 6 a.m. on June 11, 2016. Effective dates: 6... Full story

OLYMPIA – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted restrictions on the use of bait to hunt deer and elk, but made few significant changes in state hunting seasons at a public meeting A... Full story

OLYMPIA–Trout fishing in Washington reaches full speed April 23, when several hundred lowland lakes – stocked with millions of fish – open for a six-month season. That date also marks the start of th... Full story