Outdoors | The Daily Chronicle

WDFW: Beat the rush and complete hunter education now

The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is urging prospective new hunters to complete hunter education this summer so they are ready to participate in upcoming seasons. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/10/26

Earlene Tiffany, front, reels in a fish with the help of Kurt Johnson at the Noel Cole Fish and Wildlife Project pond in Chehalis on Wednesday, June 3.

In Focus: Senior citizens fish without barriers at Cole family pond in Chehalis

About 44 years ago, the late Noel Cole began allowing people who might not otherwise get the opportunity to go fishing to drop a line at the Cole family property in Lewis County. That tradition … more

Photos by Otto Rabe / otto@chronline.com | 6/3/26

Mount St. Helens rises from a valley of volcanic ash and recovering ecosystems, viewed from the Hummocks Trail on Saturday, May 23. After the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens, which killed 57 people, the state of Washington declared May Volcano Awareness Month in recognition of its impact. The volcano did have a more recent eruption period from 2004-2008, though impacts to the landscape were minimal. Since 1980, the landscapes around Mount St. Helens have continued to evolve. On the north side of the volcano, the ecosystem continues to recover, while on the south side of the mountain, the landscape illustrates the stories of centuries past with lava flows and old-growth forest.

In Focus: Exploring both sides of Mount St. Helens

After the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens, which killed 57 people, the state of Washington declared May Volcano Awareness Month in recognition of its impact. The volcano did have a … more

Photos by Cade Barker | 6/1/26

A beaver kit looks up from the water after being released in a wetland area near Mount St. Helens on Thursday, May 28, as part of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s efforts to relocate the mammal species across Southwest Washington.

Dam good work: Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s beaver relocation near Mount St. Helens to boost southern slope’s ecosystems

Beavers will now roam wetlands on the south side of Mount St. Helens for the first time in decades thanks to the Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s efforts to relocate the semi-aquatic mammal across Southwest … more

By Cade Barker / For The Chronicle | 5/29/26

Anglers watch their bobbers float in the pond during the annual Centralia Lions Club Youth Fishing Derby at Fort Borst Park in Centralia on Saturday, April 25.

Free Fishing Weekend returns to Washington June 6-7

Free Fishing Weekend returns to Washington June 6-7, offering an opportunity for people across the state to fish for many species without buying a license. Licenses are still required to fish for or … more

WDFW | 5/22/26

Mountain guide Simon Kearns poses for a victory photo after setting a new speed record for climbing Mount Rainier on May 9.

Mount Rainier climber Simon Kearns sets new speed record

There's a new king of the mountain. On May 9, mountain guide Simon Kearns stepped onto the asphalt at Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park — just 3 hours, 43 minutes and 52 seconds after … more

By Gregory Scruggs / The Seattle Times | 5/20/26

Anglers try their luck fishing in the Cowlitz River near Salkum during sunset on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2024.

WDFW will only accept cards or checks for payment beginning in June

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced this week that it will transition away from accepting cash for license product purchases at its offices next month due to a new state … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/19/26

WDFW extends special hunt application submission deadline to May 27

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has extended this year’s special hunt application submission deadline by one week to May 27 following an unexpected delay in the availability … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/15/26

WDFW to discontinue sale of paper licenses as early as May 13 amid global shortage of petroleum-based paper

Due to a global shortage of petroleum-based materials, the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and its 600 license dealer locations will no longer sell waterproof, tear … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/4/26

Jayce Nakano, 2, reels in a fish with the help of Terry Browne during the annual Centralia Lions Club Youth Fishing Derby at Fort Borst Park in Centralia on Saturday, April 25. The free derby is held on the last weekend of April each year. Participants were eligible for prizes, including bicycles donated by the Riverside Fire Authority. The Lions Club also provided milk and hot dogs for participating youths.

In Focus: Local youths cast their lines at Fort Borst Park fishing derby

4/27/26

Mineral Lake Fishing Derby Committee Chair Steve Mayer, on the right, inspects the biggest catches so far during the 33rd annual Mineral Lake Fishing Derby in East Lewis County on Saturday, April 25.

‘Most participants in four years’: 430 anglers take part in 33rd Mineral Lake Fishing Derby

With their fishing lines cast into the water from the shoreline, the docks or their personal boats and kayaks, a record number of anglers — 430 in total — bought official tickets to participate … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 4/27/26

WDFW approves final coastal razor clam digs of the spring season

Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers on Friday confirmed that the final coastal razor clam digs of the season can proceed as planned at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, … more

4/24/26

Getting paid to fish: Northern pikeminnow sport-reward fishery begins May 1

The 2026 Northern Pikeminnow Sport-Reward Fishery will open May 1, offering anglers the chance to earn cash while helping protect vulnerable salmon and steelhead in the Columbia and Snake rivers. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/24/26

Forest Service won’t issue commercial huckleberry permits for Gifford Pinchot in 2026

The U.S. Forest Service’s Gifford Pinchot National Forest announced on Tuesday that commercial huckleberry permits will not be issued in 2026. According to a news release from the Forest … more

4/22/26

A salmon breaks the surface of the Skookumchuck River near the Skookumchuck Hatchery.

Washington recreational salmon fishing seasons tentatively set for 2026-2027

Anglers in Washington can expect similar recreational salmon fisheries in 2026-2027 compared to last season, with additional opportunities and some Puget Sound summer Chinook seasons shorter in … more

WDFW | 4/15/26

A bull elk that has shed his velvet gets leaves and twigs caught on his antlers on a rainy evening in Packwood in 2023.

2026 Washington big game hunting regulations now available; special hunt submissions begin April 20

The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has released the latest big game hunting season and regulation information. The 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations pamphlet … more

WDFW | 4/15/26

Ariela Arteaga catches her first fish during a youth fishing derby at Fort Borst Pond on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Anglers across Washington can look forward to the beginning of lowland lake fishing and the annual Trout Derby kickoff on April 25, when hundreds of lakes statewide open for the season. This year, the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife plans to stock nearly 15.5 million total trout and kokanee in more than 500 lowland lakes and ponds.

WDFW opens lowland lakes April 25; Trout Derby returns with 900 prizes

Anglers across Washington can look forward to the beginning of lowland lake fishing and the annual Trout Derby kickoff on April 25, when hundreds of lakes statewide open for the season. This year, … more

WDFW | 4/15/26

Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission to meet April 16-18 in Olympia

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will hold a hybrid meeting in Olympia from April 16 to 18 to hear briefings on a proposed land transaction, the Pacific Salmon Treaty and the 2025 annual … more

4/13/26

Bryan Stewart celebrates after successfully passing over Rainbow Falls during the annual Pe Ell River Run on Saturday, April 11.

In Focus: Pe Ell River Run returns for 48th year

Scenes from the Pe Ell River Run on Saturday by Chronicle photographer Otto Rabe. As usual, the run began on the Chehalis River in Pe Ell and ended with a splash … more

4/13/26

Grays Harbor Stream Team is holding a Macroinvertebrate Sampling Program this spring and summer.

Grays Harbor Stream Team: Sign up to be a macroinvertebrate IDer

If you have wanted to learn more about the macroinvertebrates that are the foundation of our waterways’ food web or participate in a citizen science project, the Grays Harbor Stream Team is leading … more

By Andrea Watts / The Daily World | 4/10/26