Washington State Selling Fishing Licenses to Out-of-Staters Again, New Restrictions

Published 06/12/2020 at 8:43 PM PDT
By OREGON TRAVEL DAILY STAFF

(Olympia, Washington) - Once again, Washington is selling fishing licenses to those from out of state, while the state’s wildlife agency has closed salmon and steelhead angling in the Wind River and Drano Lake. (Photo courtesy Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) made those announcements this week.

The decision to resume license sales to non-Washingtonians comes as many of the state’s counties move toward more relaxed restrictions related to COVID-19, including some loosening of travel restrictions. Washington suspended non-resident fishing license sales in late April.

“We’re reopening these sales to once again give out-of-state residents an opportunity to take part in some of Washington’s excellent fishing,” said Peter Vernie, WDFW Licensing Division manager. “But it’s important to remember that everyone, whether from Washington or elsewhere, should be doing what they can to minimize the chance of spreading COVID-19 once travel is advised again.”

Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order expired May 31, but Washington continues to take a phased approach to reopening the state. Many counties are currently in “Phase 2”; additional non-essential travel will once again be allowed in Phase 3.

All anglers should continue following responsible recreation guidelines, including keeping 6 feet apart, limiting travel and staying as local as possible, and traveling only with family or other members of their immediate household. Be prepared to change plans if your preferred destination appears too crowded or remains closed.

To see the types and costs of fishing licenses available to out-of-state residents, visit https://wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/fishing/types-fees. When you’re ready to purchase a license, visit https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/#/login to buy and print a license online, or call 360-902-2464. To find a license dealer – including in Oregon and Idaho – visit https://wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/dealers, but be sure to call ahead to make sure your license dealer is open.

Meanwhile, the Wind River and Drano Lake near Hood River on the Washington side of the Columbia Gorge have some changes in fishing regulations.

WDFW said returns of upriver spring Chinook to several hatchery facilities in the Columbia and Snake River basins are currently projected to fall below levels needed to meet broodstock collection goals. These facilities have utilized spring Chinook stocks collected at Little White Salmon and Carson National Fish Hatcheries for brood when shortfalls occur. Closing the Wind River and Drano Lake fisheries will provide additional fish for these hatchery facilities and help ensure future hatchery returns and fishing opportunities.

Angling for salmon and steelhead is closed at the Wind River from the mouth to 800 yards downstream of Carson National Fish Hatchery. The mouth of the Wind River is defined by the buoy line markers south of the Highway 14 bridge.

At Drano Lake, it’s not allowed in the waters downstream of markers on point of land downstream and across from Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery and upstream of the Highway 14 bridge.