Why this weekend may be your chance to get outdoors, give fishing a try in WA

Washington’s Free Fishing Weekend on June 6-7 invites newcomers to try angling across the state with a license waiver for many species. Licenses are still required for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut and all shellfish, and regulations, size limits, seasons, gear rules, and closures apply. Regulations and locations are posted at wdfw.wa.gov; the Fish Washington app provides easy access to rules on mobile devices. Officials emphasize that you don’t need to be an expert to participate, as lakes, shorelines and fishing piers provide ample access.

Oregon also offers free fishing on Saturday and Sunday, with no licenses or tags required, though all other rules apply, including closures and bag limits. Drought conditions may push anglers toward early hours or warm-water species like bass and bluegill, while Oregon State Parks offer free parking on Saturday.