March/April Director’s Bulletin
As spring unfolds across Washington, it brings with it exciting opportunities for hunters and anglers alike. Spring turkey season is underway, the statewide trout fishing opener just kicked off, and outdoor recreationists are looking ahead to summer trips out on the water and in the field.
April also marked the end of the 2026–2027 North of Falcon salmon season-setting process. It concluded on April 12 at the Pacific Fishery Management Council meetings in Portland, Oregon, after months of public meetings, technical analysis, and negotiations among state and federal partners, and tribal co-managers.
This annual process that began in late February requires navigating a complex mix of preseason forecasts, conservation constraints, legal requirements, and public input to develop fisheries across Washington. It not only involves representatives from federal, state, and tribal governments, but many from the recreational and commercial fishing industries as well as members of the public.
Throughout this process, WDFW staff worked hard to maximize fishing opportunities where possible, evaluating various fishery concepts, weighing tradeoffs between areas, and advocating for seasons that provide quality opportunities while ensuring conservation obligations are met.
As the season unfolds, look for The Salmon Fishing Current blog: summer and fall edition in mid-May, which will cover ongoing salmon fishery-related topics and issues, along with any in-season management changes. We’ll also continue to share information about Washington’s salmon and steelhead fisheries in our news releases and social media platforms.
Details about previous and upcoming meetings and other important North of Falcon updates will be available on the North of Falcon webpage. Recordings of all the 2026 public meetings are available on WDFW’s YouTube channel.
Sincerely,
Kelly Susewind
Washington’s wolf population increases 17% in 2025
Following a decline at the end of 2024, the Washington Gray Wolf Conservation and Management Annual Report shows that the minimum year-end wolf count increased by more than 17% at the end of 2025. That puts the wolf population in Washington at its highest level to date at 270 wolves, 23 breeding pairs, and 49 packs statewide. The previous year’s count was 230 wolves, 18 breeding pairs, and 43 packs. Six packs either formed or reestablished in 2025, but there were still no packs or breeding pairs documented in the Southern Cascades and Northwest Coast Recovery Region at the end of 2025.
Skagit River dams relicensing agreement includes major investments in fish passage, habitat restoration, tribal and local communities
In March, Seattle City Light announced an agreement for relicensing the utility’s hydropower dams on the Skagit River for the next 50 years. WDFW leaders and staff experts on fish, wildlife, and habitat have been closely involved in negotiations on the agreement since 2018.
“After nearly eight years of discussion with Seattle City Light, Skagit treaty tribes, and other federal, state, and local agencies, this relicensing agreement is good news for fish passage, habitat restoration, and people from the Skagit Valley to the City of Seattle,” said Director Susewind.
The Skagit River watershed, the largest river basin flowing into Puget Sound, is a crown jewel for Washington’s natural heritage. Numerous fish and wildlife species are present in the basin, including all five species of Pacific salmon, steelhead, and bull trout. For decades WDFW has worked to recover salmon and steelhead populations in the Skagit Watershed while supporting sustainable fisheries and recreation. We also operate the Marblemount Hatchery on the Cascade River, a major tributary, as well as managing numerous water access areas and wildlife area units on the Skagit.
The relicensing agreement, particularly major investments in fish passage and habitat restoration, is expected to increase sustainable salmon harvest and other fishing opportunities to support recreational fisheries and tribal treaty rights and contribute to recovery of federal- and state-listed fish species in the Skagit Basin.
In April, the Seattle City Council and Skagit County signed the relicensing agreement. Learn more in our statement and news coverage from The Seattle Times.
Update about availability of waterproof, tear-resistant licensing paper
Due to a global shortage of petroleum-based materials, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and its 600 license dealer locations will no longer sell waterproof, tear resistant licensing paper as early as May 13, 2026.
While customer experiences may vary across license dealers, in the interim, customers may find that dealers are running low or out of this style of petroleum-based licensing paper entirely. As early as May 13, customers won’t be able to buy waterproof, tear-resistant WDFW licensing documents any longer. Customers will be able to print licensing documents on standard printer paper at home or at a license dealer location. Alternatively, customers can select to become a mobile license holder and use the new MyWDFW mobile licensing application. Learn more in WDFW’s news release.
WDFW’s 11th annual Trout Derby is underway
The WDFW Trout Derby is back in 2026 from April 25 through Oct. 31. More than 100 lakes statewide have been stocked with green tagged rainbow trout. Each tag represents one of the more than 900 prizes valued at more than $44,000 and donated by over 60 generous businesses this year.
Using the hashtag #WATroutDerby, anglers were asked to share their opening week fishing photos via Instagram. The winning photo will win a WDFW prize pack.
The WDFW Trout Derby is open to anyone with a valid 2026 fishing license (children under 16 fish for free), and no entry fee or registration is required. Our derby webpage details the donors, lakes, and ways to claim a prize.
Theler Wetlands benefits from restoration and renovation projects
A lot of important work is happening at the Theler Wetlands, located in Mason County at the southeast end of Hood Canal.
WDFW and Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (HCSEG) are restoring 7 acres of estuary habitat to reestablish natural tidal processes, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, mitigate flood impacts, and improve recreational access.
WDFW and HCSEG are also renovating the Theler Wetlands Nature Center, which will involve modernizing the building and adding new interpretive exhibits. You can share feedback through our online survey.
The Theler Wetlands is part of the 543-acre Union River Unit of the South Puget Sound Wildlife Area. The land provides recreational opportunities for nature enthusiasts while protecting the estuarine ecosystem from development pressure in a growing community. Project updates are available on WDFW’s and HCSEG’s webpages.
The WDFW Trout Derby is open to anyone with a valid 2026 fishing license (children under 16 fish for free), and no entry fee or registration is required. Our derby webpage details the donors, lakes, and ways to claim a prize.
Kenmore Air and WDFW collaborate on Salish Sea seabird surveys
Kenmore Air and WDFW staff from the Waterfowl Section of Wildlife Program’s Game Division, recently completed this year’s Midwinter Aerial Seabird Survey, continuing a decades-long partnership supporting a scientific study monitoring the abundance, distribution, and long-term trends of marine birds across Washington’s Salish Sea waters. This year, the partners worked together to modernize the surveys, using new digital technology to make the surveys more accurate and informative than ever before.
Seabird surveys are conducted in mid-winter when marine birds are least likely to be migrating, allowing biologists to capture the most reliable population snapshots of the year. WDFW and partner agencies use survey results to inform wildlife management, coastal and marine planning, scientific research, and permitting decisions.
Kenmore Air provided aircraft, pilots, and operational support for more than 70 hours of flights this year, conducted at an altitude of 860 feet and a ground speed of 105 knots along routes covering Washington’s inland marine waters. Refer to our news release to learn more about this long-standing partnership. Learn more about waterfowl identification and hunting on our webpage. Or get tips for watching seabirds on our wildlife viewing webpage.
WDFW invites participation in workshops on kelp gathering and conservation
Since 2025, April 16 is celebrated as Washington’s official Bull Kelp Day. More information is available from Northwest Straits Commission and on DNR’s Kelp and Eelgrass Health and Conservation Plan webpage.
“Bull Kelp Day is a time for everyone to celebrate and spotlight Washington’s kelp, building awareness and support for our marine forests, which help sustain local wildlife, cultures, and livelihoods,” said Jeff Whitty, Kelp Program Manager with Northwest Straits Commission.
On Bull Kelp Day, WDFW and partners including the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Northwest Straits Commission, and Asia Pacific Cultural Center invited participation in a series of workshops on kelp gathering and conservation around Puget Sound. Learn more in our news release.
The workshops are part of a new social science research project working to better understand human interactions with, connections to, and uses of kelp. Participation in the project will inform future kelp management, conservation, harvesting opportunities, and communications and outreach. Participants will include recreational and commercial seaweed harvesters, individuals or organizations involved in kelp conservation, and other stakeholders, partners, or interested members of the public. People interested in participating should sign up for information about upcoming workshops using WDFW’s project sign-up form.
New rules in effect as clam, mussel, and oyster seasons get underway
The return of daytime low tides brings opportunities for recreational clam, mussel, and oyster gathering across hundreds of Washington’s public beaches now open or soon reopening for harvesting. With so many options, WDFW encourages shellfish gatherers to visit less popular public beaches to spread out harvest pressure, which has increased in recent years.
“From easy-access sites to those you can reach by boat or on foot, there’s an adventure for everyone,” said Chris Eardley, WDFW’s Puget Sound shellfish policy coordinator. “Seeking less-visited beaches, avoiding obviously busy sites, having a backup plan, and visiting on less popular weekdays all help reduce impacts to Washington’s valuable shellfish beaches.”
New rules are in effect for the 2026 season to conserve shellfish populations, address harvest effort increases, and promote sustainable shellfish gathering. Learn more in our news release.
Northern Pikeminnow Sport-Reward Fishery enters its 36th season
The 2026 Northern Pikeminnow Sport-Reward Fishery returns May 1 for its 36th season, giving anglers the opportunity to earn cash while supporting salmon and steelhead recovery in the Columbia and Snake rivers. Funded by the Bonneville Power Administration, the program pays anglers to catch northern pikeminnow, a native fish that consumes millions of young salmon and steelhead each year.
The goal of the program is not to eradicate native northern pikeminnow, but to remove 10–20% of the larger, predator-sized northern pikeminnow each year. Removing these fish helps shift the population toward smaller individuals, which consume fewer salmon and steelhead smolts.
Since the fishery began, anglers have removed nearly 6 million northern pikeminnow within the program’s boundary, which has reduced predation on salmon and steelhead smolts by up to 40% compared to pre-program levels.
In 2025, anglers turned in 150,456 qualifying northern pikeminnow, with each angler averaging 11.9 fish per day. The program’s top angler earned $159,310 by catching 15,715 fish. The top angler payout and total catch is the second highest in program history, falling just short of the current record of $164,260 and 16,150 set in 2024.
For more information about the sport-reward fishery including regulations, locations and maps, registration, and catch data, refer to pikeminnow.org or call the hotline at 800–858–9015.
