Outdoors | The Daily Chronicle

A steelhead leaps straight into Lucia Falls on the East Fork Lewis River on Monday, Oct. 27.

WDFW invites public participation in annual salmon season-setting process

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) fishery managers have scheduled opportunities for the public to provide input in 2026-2027 state-managed salmon seasons, beginning with a hybrid … more

By The Chronicle staff | 2/16/26

David Lee, from Portland, catches a smelt on the Cowlitz River near Longview on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.

Cowlitz River smelt dip approved for Wednesday, but no fish in river yet

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced on Friday the first — and potentially only — day of this year’s Cowlitz River recreational smelt fishery: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday. … more

Henry Brannan / Murrow News | 2/16/26

A smelt dipper lifts an empty net on a designated smelt dipping day from the Al Helenberg Memorial Boat Ramp on the Cowlitz River on Wednesday, March 12.

One-day smelt fishery announced for Cowlitz River

The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved a one-day recreational smelt fishery in the Cowlitz River from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 18. The decision follows … more

By The Chronicle staff | 2/13/26

A clam gun is seen from behind a freshly dug hole during a razor clam dig at Grayland Beach on March 8, 2024.

WDFW approves six days of coastal razor clam digs beginning Feb. 14 with additional dates planned through early March

Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers on Tuesday confirmed razor clam digging opportunities at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks beaches from Feb. 14 … more

By The Chronicle staff | 2/11/26

Public comment period open for 2026 Washington hunting season proposals

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is now accepting public comments on proposed hunting season rule changes as part of the department’s annual hunting season-setting process, a … more

By The Chronicle staff | 2/6/26

A large bull elk munches on vegetation in Packwood on Thursday evening in the rain.

Where have Olympic Peninsula elk herds gone?

The elk herds being tracked by the Skokomish Indian Tribe have mysteriously diminished. “The numbers are not great for the elk,” said Bethany Ackerman, the tribe’s wildlife biologist. … more

By Tiffany Royal / Northwest Treaty Tribes | 2/2/26

A line of clams are placed on a tailgate after being cleaned during a razor clam dig at Grayland Beach on March 8, 2024.

WDFW seeks public feedback on proposed rule changes for clam, mussel and oyster harvests

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is proposing rule changes for state recreational clam, mussel and oyster seasons to conserve shellfish populations, address increases in harvest … more

By The Chronicle staff | 2/2/26

Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue volunteers lower themselves down a 40-foot cliff for a body recovery on April 2, 2025.

Skamania County smashes search and rescue record in 2025

Skamania County smashed its previous record for the number of search and rescues in 2025, Sheriff Summer Scheyer said. “We ended the year with 73 search and rescues in 2025,” she said. … more

Henry Brannan / Murrow News | 1/24/26

Razor clam digging on the coast continues starting Jan. 29

WDFW approves coastal razor clam digs beginning Jan. 29

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers confirmed today, razor clam digging opportunities at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, and Mocrocks beaches from Jan. 29. … more

By The Daily World | 1/22/26

‘Michael Jordan’ of bounty fishing earns $159,000 in Washington and Oregon Pikeminnow Sport Reward Program

One Pacific Northwest man earned $159,310 for spending the summer fishing from his boat and turning in his catch to a Washington and Oregon bounty program. It was the second-highest amount ever … more

By Annette Cary / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 1/16/26

Gifford Pinchot National Forest seeks input on residents’ 2025 huckleberry experience

Huckleberries hold significant cultural and economic importance to tribes, local communities, businesses and personal use gatherers. In the early 2000s, permitted commercial huckleberry … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/12/26

Skiers and snowboarders file onto the Great White Express chair lift at White Pass Ski Area on Sunday, Jan. 12.

In Focus: Hitting the slopes at the White Pass Ski Area

1/12/26

Clam guns stand behind a pile of shells during a razor clam dig at Grayland Beach on March 8, 2024.

WDFW approves seven more days of coastal razor clam digs, beginning Jan. 15

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers on Friday confirmed razor clam digging opportunities at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks beaches from Jan. 15 to 21. … more

1/9/26

The ramp planks at the Chehalis River/Oakville boat launch have separated due to recent flooding impacts.

WDFW closes two Grays Harbor County boat launches

Due to recent flooding and resulting erosion, two water access areas in Grays Harbor County in Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Coastal Region are temporarily closed for public safety … more

By The Daily World | 1/9/26

Dungeness crabs support Washington’s most valuable commercial fishery, the release stated. The value of state landings for the 2024-25 coastal commercial Dungeness crab season was $83.3 million, surpassed only by a record $88.2 million set during the 2021-22 season.

Washington’s most valuable commercial fishery: Dungeness crab season to begin

Washington’s coastal commercial Dungeness crab season will open Dec. 31 from Klipsan Beach on the Long Beach Peninsula south to Cape Falcon, Oregon, including the Columbia River and Willapa Bay, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/30/25

First day hikers look up at tree canopies along the Old Growth Loop trail at Lewis and Clark State Park located along Jackson Highway in Toledo on Jan. 1, 2022.

First Day Hikes offered at over 30 Washington state parks

Washington State Parks has announced its annual First Day Hikes events on Jan. 1, 2026. More than 30 state parks across the state will host staff-led and self-guided hikes, snowshoe treks, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/29/25

Alex Brown snowshoes on the south slope of Mount Rainier, climbing above the Paradise region of the national park in 2018.

Paradise found: Mount Rainier National Park restores full winter access

The road to Paradise has ostensibly gotten easier to climb. After three consecutive seasons of limited openings at the gate to the state’s highest-elevation road-accessible winter wonderland, Mount … more

By Gregory Scruggs / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/29/25

A deer walks along a field near the Skyline Loop Trail as the sun sets at Mount Rainier National Park on Monday, Sept. 22.

Washington outdoors in 2025: The Enchantments, ski area delays and more

This year was exceptionally heavy with news on the outdoors beat, especially as national politics intruded on the solitude of hikers and backpackers. Changes in federal public lands policy had direct … more

By Gregory Scruggs / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 12/26/25

WDFW approves seven days of coastal razor clam digs beginning Dec. 31

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers on Wednesday confirmed razor clam digging opportunities at Long Beach , Twin Harbors , Copalis and Mocrocks beaches from Dec. 31 … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/24/25

White Pass Ski Area finally opens in ‘limited operation’ after last week’s snowfall

Skiers and snowboarders finally hit the slopes of the White Pass Ski Area this past weekend, as the East Lewis County ski resort opened to the public after unseasonably warm December rains postponed … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/22/25