First Weekend in June is Free Fishing for Washington Lakes, Rivers, Coastline

Published 06/01/26 at 6:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Westport, Washington) - Just as Oregon did, Washington officials are giving the state's residents a nice bundle of outdoor gifts. From the coastline to its mountain streams, Free Fishing Weekend returns to Washington on June 6 - 7, providing locals a chance to fish for a wide range of species without purchasing a license. (Above: Ocean Shores, WA)

Licenses are still required for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut, and all shellfish, and all other fishing rules and regulations remain in effect.

Top statewide prospects for the weekend include rainbow trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and other lake game fish. In 2026, WDFW is stocking 15.5 million trout and kokanee in more than 500 lowland lakes. Stocking details are available on the WDFW’s website. Lake anglers can also take part in the Trout Derby, which features tagged fish in more than 100 lakes and hundreds of prizes. Along the Washington coast, there's plenty of options as well.

It's easy as pie, said officials.

South Washington Coast jetties - Courtesy Angi D Wildt Gallery, Astoria

“Free Fishing Weekend gives people an easy entry point into fishing,” said Kirt Hughes, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) fish management division manager. “You don’t need to be an expert or own a boat to get started. There are lakes, shorelines, and fishing piers across the state where people can get out and give it a try.”

Additional opportunities during Free Fishing Weekend include:

See Washington Coast Weather ahead of time - including tides.

• Rockfish and surfperch from coastal jetties and beaches
• American shad along the lower Columbia River during peak spring runs
• Lingcod, cabezon, flounder, sole, and other bottomfish in Puget Sound marine areas

WDFW encourages anglers to review current regulations, confirm which species are excluded from the free weekend, and verify that their chosen fishing area is open. Inlet sea areas may be different from a particular stream or part of the Washington coastline.

Excluded species include all shellfish, salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, and halibut. All other open species may be harvested without a license, but seasons, size limits, daily limits, gear rules, and area closures remain in effect. Regulations and emergency rules are available online, in the Fish Washington mobile app, and in the 2025–26 Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.

Courtesy WDFW

Free Fishing Weekend coincides with Discover Pass free days, allowing visitors to park without a pass on lands managed by Washington State Parks, the Department of Natural Resources, and WDFW. The Vehicle Access Pass and Two-Pole Endorsement are also waived for the weekend. NASA Soon to Announce More Plans of Missions to the Moon, Gamma Ray Research - Announcements day after Memorial Day; more on robotic LINK satellite coming.

WDFW manages fish, wildlife, and habitats statewide while supporting sustainable recreational and commercial opportunities.

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