Fish for free weekend in WA and OR. What you need to know

If you’ve been thinking about taking up fishing, this weekend is your chance to give it a try.

Every year the state of Washington allows people to fish for many species without buying a fishing license on one weekend. This year that weekend is June 6-7.

However, licenses are still required on free fishing weekend for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut and all shellfish.

Other fishing rules and regulations — including size limits, daily limits, seasons, gear rules and some fishing area closures — also still apply. They can be found at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations.

You can also keep regulations handy by downloading the “Fish Washington” app, which is available on Google Play, the Apple App Store, and the Fish and Wildlife website.

“Free Fishing Weekend gives people an easy entry point into fishing,” said Kirt Hughes, Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife manager of the fish management division.

“You don’t need to be an expert or own a boat to get started,” he said. “There are lakes shorelines, and fishing piers across the state where people can get out and give it a try.”

Fishing the Tri-Cities area rivers is popular, but if you are looking for lakes on either the east or west side of the state, they are posted at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/locations.

Other Washington Free Fishing Weekend opportunities include:

• Rockfish and surfperch on the Washington coastal jetties and shorelines – no boat required.

• American shad along the shoreline on the lower Columbia River during peak spring runs.

• Lingcod, cabezon, flounder, sole and other bottomfish species in Puget Sound marine areas.

Even if you don’t want to fish, it’s a good weekend to get outdoors on Washington state land.

No Discover Pass is needed to park on state-managed lands — including Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Parks and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife land — during free fishing weekend.

Oregon free fishing, parking

If you want to check out fishing in Oregon, everyone, nonresidents included, can fish, clam and crab for free in Oregon on the first June weekend, June 6-7.

No fishing or shellfish licenses or tags are required, including the combined angling tag, a Columbia River Basin endorsement or a two-rod validation.

All other fishing regulations apply including closures, gear restrictions, bag limits, and size restrictions.

Drought conditions make a difference this year, according to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Department.

Some smaller lakes and ponds might already be warming up, so anglers could consider fishing early in the day or changing it up to warm water fish like bass, bluegill and crappie.

Oregon State Parks also offers free parking on Saturday, June 6.

This story was originally published June 1, 2026 at 11:55 AM.