Where to Find the Best Salmon Fishing in Washington State

It's about time! If you're a fan, you can now plan fishing excursions, as the statewide recreational salmon fisheries for the 2025-2026 season were recently finalized with several marine and freshwater opportunities.

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Calling all Anglers! The Salmon Fishing Season Is Officially Open in Washington State.

As part of summer and fall salmon fishing season, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has created the Salmon Fishing Current blog: summer and fall 2025 edition.

It's a great way to keep you updated on any fishing rule changes, emergency closures, and any other related developments of fishing in Washington.

Also, the 2025-2026 Salmon Fishing Regulation Pamphlet Is NOW Available Online.

Printed copies are expected to arrive at statewide license dealers and at WDFW offices the last week of June. Anglers using the Fish Washington® app to look up seasons for 2025–26 fisheries may see dates from last summer. The Fish Washington® app will update for the 2025–2026 fishing season by July 1.

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Washington offers many recreational salmon fishing opportunities, with various species. Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye are all available depending on location and time of year. Remember that freshwater rivers and lakes also provide prime opportunities for catching salmon. Some areas are known for specific species. Lake Washington is known for Sockeye, while the Cowlitz River is known for Chinook.

Exploring the 5 Best Fishing Spots in Washington State

Dive into our guide to the best fishing spots in the Pacific Northwest.

Gallery Credit: Rik Mikals

LOOK: Stunning vintage photos capture the beauty of America's national parks

Today these parks are located throughout the country in 25 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The land encompassing them was either purchased or donated, though much of it had been inhabited by native people for thousands of years before the founding of the United States. These areas are protected and revered as educational resources about the natural world, and as spaces for exploration.

Keep scrolling for 50 vintage photos that show the beauty of America's national parks.

Gallery Credit: Alexander Raeburn