The state of Washington offers saltwater fishing for trout and salmon as well as freshwater fishing for bass, walleye, crappie, perch, catfish and more. Choose your favorite type of water: There are terrific lakes, ponds, streams and rivers all across Washington State. Fishing might be your choice of recreation, but all sorts of activities are available on Washington waters, from boating to kayaking to water skiing to rafting.
Lowland Lakes
The freshwater lakes in Washington are famous for their freshwater catches and are known as lower and highland lakes, depending on their altitude. Many state park lakes and ponds, such as Cascade Lake at Moran, are regularly stocked with rainbow and kokanee trout. Fish for large mouth bass at Curlew Lake in the Okanogan, or for salmon and trout at Seaquest at the foot of Mount St. Helens.
Highland Lakes
Western Washington has about 1,600 lakes that are considered high lakes, which sit above 2,500 feet in elevation. Most fish stocked in the high lakes are rainbow, cutthroat or eastern brook trout. Other trout that can be found in some lakes include brown trout, mackinaw or lake trout and bull trout.
Saltwater Fishing
Triton Cove on Hood Canal is a great spot for catching offshore salmon, red snapper and cod. Puget Sound is an inlet from the Pacific that contains islands, straits and canals and extends from the Pacific to as far south as Olympia. It is also a popular recreational area for boaters and fishermen, featuring more than 25 state parks and historical lighthouses. The clear, deep waters in Puget Sound provide world-class shrimp and salmon fishing with miles of pristine shoreline for boaters.
The Rivers
You will find trout running in Washington rivers and streams year round. The rivers are surrounded by parks and campgrounds, so be sure to check which areas of particular rivers are popular for rafting so you can avoid trying to fish there. Government agencies work together to ensure the rivers are ecologically sustainable for years to come. Washington Rivers Conservancy and Trout Unlimited work on collaborative projects and policies that improve stream flows, river habitats, and water management.
The License
A fishing license is required for anyone 15 years of age and over, unless fishing for common carp, crayfish, bullfrogs, smelt or unclassified marine invertebrates. A shellfish license is required to take anything classified as shellfish, including sea cucumbers, seaweed, and even squid. Children under the age of 15 must have a catch record card that must be filled in each time the child goes fishing. Each type of license has its own criteria and pricing.
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