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Freshwater Fishing in Washington
Washington Fishing at a Glance
From fly-fishing for bass and trout on east-side freshwater lakes and streams to trolling for salmon along the coast, it’s all here for you in the Evergreen State.
The freshwater fishing in Washington is particularly good because of the wide variety of fish that can be found in the state’s lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams. There are over 200 species of fish in Washington, including trout, salmon, and bass, catfish, pike and walleye. For anglers looking for a challenge, there are also many opportunities to catch large fish. The state record for the largest fish caught in Washington is a six-pound, eight-ounce largemouth bass.
If you’re looking to do some freshwater fishing in Washington, there are a few things you should know. For starters, all fishermen must have a valid license. The state of Washington offers several different types of licenses, depending on how often you plan on fishing and where you plan to fish. If you’re only planning on fishing for a day or two, you can purchase a short-term license. If you’re an avid fisherman or plan on fishing in multiple locations, you may want to consider purchasing an annual license (see link below).
When it comes to where to fish, for trout fishing, try your luck in the Methow River or one of the many lakes in the Okanogan Highlands. For bass fishing, check out Cle Elum Lake or Moses Lake. Salmon can be found in the Columbia River and its tributaries.
Washington ranks #31 in the U.S. for fishing licenses per capita and has a good number of local fishing enhtusiasts with over 9.16% of the population having fishing licenses.
Key Insights
- Washington state offers a wide variety of freshwater fishing opportunities including bass, trout, salmon, catfish, pike, and walleye.
- The state record for the largest fish caught is a six-pound, eight-ounce largemouth bass.
- All fishermen must have a valid license to fish in Washington state, with several types of licenses available depending on frequency and location of fishing.
- Recommended fishing spots include Methow River for trout, Cle Elum Lake or Moses Lake for bass, and the Columbia River and its tributaries for salmon.
- Washington ranks #31 in the U.S. for fishing licenses per capita, with over 9.16% of the population having fishing licenses.
Table of Contents
Estimated Fishing Enthusiasts
| Population: | 7,705,281 |
|---|---|
| Fishing Enthusiasts | 705,810 |
| Fishing License % | 9.16% |
| Hunters Rank | 31 |
The state of Washington is mostly private land with 36.4% of acres considered public land -ranking #11 amongst all states.
Land Types (Acres)
| Acres | % | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 42,612,500 | ||
| Public | 15,513,500 | 36.41% | 11 |
| Private | 24,998,000 | 58.66% | 41 |
| Tribal | 2,101,000 | 4.93% | 5 |
Washington Fishing Licenses & Requirements
For the most accurate and updated information on fishing licenses and requirements, it’s always a good idea to check the Washington DNR. We’ve provided their contact information and other helpful information for your convenience here.
Washington DNR
1111 Washington St. SE
Olympia, WA 98501
- (360) 902-2200
If you’re a fisherman looking for the best catch in Washington State, prepare to be spoiled for choice. Rivers and streams are home to salmon, steelhead, trout, bass, walleye, catfish, crappie and perch – each offering something unique and exciting. From the anadromous salmon which typically spend most of their lives in saltwater but return to freshwater to spawn; to steelhead who generally stay in freshwater throughout their life; or trout who can be found both salt and fresh water – you’ll find a diverse range of species just waiting to be caught! Bass is a favorite amongst fishermen as they can be found in both fresh and saltwater. Walleye has its own unique taste that makes it highly prized – perfect for dinner! Catfish are bottom-dwellers that thrive in both salt and freshwater habitats, while crappie is a type of panfish that lives in either environment. Whatever your preference may be – the rivers and streams of Washington have something special for everyone!
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Fishing private land in Washington
Fishing on private land in Washington has some real advantages over public lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds *if you can get access. For instance, there’s nothing like having a quiet lake all to yourself and oftentimes there are simply more fish available to catch, because they haven’t been fished out. There are generally more processes for access private land for hunting than fishing, though some similar methods exist. For instance, you can sometimes join a fishing club in Washington or if you have the money, it may be possible to rent some private land for fishing. Another option is to knock on doors or work your contacts in an area to see if a landowner would let you fish for the day or possibly be open to a longer term arrangement.
Fortunately Wing It is simplifying land access for fishing, hunting, camping, and more. We’re adding new land every day and if we have some in your area, you’ll see some great options below.
1. Puget Sound
2. Columbia River
3. Spokane River
4. Yakima River
5. Snake River
Fishing private land in Washington
Fishing on private land in Washington has some real advantages over public lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds *if you can get access. For instance, there’s nothing like having a quiet lake all to yourself and oftentimes there are simply more fish available to catch, because they haven’t been fished out. There are generally more processes for access private land for hunting than fishing, though some similar methods exist. For instance, you can sometimes join a fishing club in Washington or if you have the money, it may be possible to rent some private land for fishing. Another option is to knock on doors or work your contacts in an area to see if a landowner would let you fish for the day or possibly be open to a longer term arrangement.
Fortunately Wing It is simplifying land access for fishing, hunting, camping, and more. We’re adding new land every day and if we have some in your area, you’ll see some great options below.