This coming weekend, June 6–7, residents and visitors in Washington and Oregon can fish for free. In Washington, no license is required — exceptions include salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut and all shellfish. Other fishing rules, including size and catch limits, seasons and gear requirements, remain in effect. A full list is available on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website.
Organizers emphasize that anyone can take part — you don’t need to be an expert or have a boat. The state has many lakes, shorelines and fishing piers where people can try their luck. Rockfish and sea bass fishing along the coast is especially popular, as is American shad fishing on the Columbia River. The Columbia is a powerful freshwater artery, the fourth-largest river in the U.S., flowing from Canada to the Pacific Ocean, where fishing is often done in the current. In Puget Sound, a saline tidal inlet that cuts deeply into the mainland, species such as lingcod, cabezon, halibut and other bottomfish are available, and anglers fish from boats in relatively calm coastal waters. Both areas are rich in salmon and trout, which draws many fishers.
Oregon is also joining the event: on Saturday and Sunday everyone, including nonresidents, can fish for free, catch crabs and harvest shellfish. No licenses or additional permits are required, such as special tags for two-rod limits or Columbia River basin approvals. This year, because of drought some small lakes and ponds may be too warm, so experts advise fishing early in the morning or switching to warmwater species — bass, bluegill and black crappie.
Both states offer free parking on state lands: in Washington the Discover Pass — the annual or day pass usually required because of how state parks, forests and recreation areas are funded — is not needed. Unlike U.S. national parks, which are funded by the federal government, Washington state lands are maintained with visitor fees. That pass costs about $30 a year and helps support trail maintenance, campgrounds and trash removal. In Oregon, parking in state parks is free on Saturday. Even if you don’t plan to fish, it’s a great excuse to spend time outdoors. For convenience, you can download the "Fish Washington" app from Google Play or the App Store, and use waterbody maps on the departments’ websites — enjoy your time outdoors.
Based on: Fish for free weekend comes to WA and OR. What you need to know