Message from WDFW
Washingtonians and visitors alike enjoy the fishing activities across the state’s numerous waterways. It’s hard to beat recreating in Washington, but it is the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) duty to ensure the fisheries we manage are around for the enjoyment of generations to come.
As part of our commitment, WDFW listens closely to public input, finds solutions that best serve all interested participants, and works transparently by keeping an open door when it comes to public expectations. WDFW also works closely with tribal co-managers to provide sustainable fishing and shellfish gathering for all.
A report released in 2025 by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) showed the growing economic contributions of recreational fishing. The data reflects angler participation and economic impacts in Washington and across all 50 states.
The ASA report with 2022 data showed 716,370 resident and non-resident anglers who fished in Washington waters spent around $2.4 billion. Statewide contributions by anglers in Washington generated $3 billion, supported 16,930 jobs, and produced $272 million in state and local taxes. National contributions generated $230.5 billion, supported more than one million jobs, and produced $17.5 billion in federal taxes.
The data was compiled through both previous estimates from past ASA studies and data collected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (FHWAR). To learn about the 2022 FHWAR and better understand the scale and scope of outdoors, fishing- and wildlife-related recreation in Washington, please visit WDFW’s website.
Turning to the water, Washington has numerous waterways from rivers, lakes, bays, inlets, and coastal areas that make it a top pick not only for fishing but to enjoy what the great outdoors has to offer.
The 2025–2026 North of Falcon salmon season setting process concluded this past spring with the collaborative effort by tribal co-managers, other West Coast fishery managers, federal fishery representatives, and stakeholders. We also take the public’s feedback seriously to help inform our current and future management strategies.
During this process, WDFW worked to manage sustainable fishing opportunities that span the entire year for all Washingtonians and visitors. The Department strives to make decisions while using science to meet conservation goals to aid the recovery of salmon and steelhead, including constraints under the federal Endangered Species Act.
The adopted seasons should provide a summer of fun, from an expected strong Puget Sound pink forecast to sockeye fisheries in the Upper Columbia River, Lake Wenatchee, and Baker Lake. There will also be ocean summer salmon fishing, and freshwater salmon anglers will find numerous places to fish this summer and fall.
In late April, our statewide lowland lakes trout fishery got underway with more than 14.5 million trout stocked, offering a diverse number of places to fish throughout the year.
Adding to the excitement, 2025 marks the 10th Anniversary of the WDFW Trout Derby, which runs through Oct. 31. The derby is our biggest yet with more than a thousand prizes for those who catch a tagged trout in hundreds of stocked lakes. The success of the derby wouldn’t be possible without our ongoing partnerships with license dealers and vendors statewide.
As you read this pamphlet, we’d like to thank you for your commitment to keeping these time-honored activities alive and appreciate everything you do to support fisheries conservation in our great state. We hope to see you on the water soon!
For more information about the 2025 ASA report, please visit the ASA’s website.
