Got this in my email yesterday, somewhere in there is the opening date for turkey season:
March 2011
Contact: (Fish) 360-902-2700
(Wildlife) 360-902-2515
Plenty of good reasons to renew
fishing and hunting licenses soon
Anglers are landing increasing numbers of spring chinook salmon on the lower Columbia River, steelhead fishing is in full swing on the Olympic Peninsula coast and hundreds of lakes are set to open for trout fishing around the state April 30.
These are just a few of the reasons why anglers might want to consider purchasing a 2011-12 fishing license before current licenses expire at midnight March 31.
Hunters also have good reason to plan ahead. A spring wild turkey season for hunters under age 16 is scheduled April 2-3 prior to the start of the general spring turkey hunt April 15.
“We encourage people to renew their fishing and hunting licenses early, so they can take advantage of the great recreational opportunities available in the coming weeks and months,” said Bill Joplin, licensing manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
All fees included, a resident adult freshwater fishing license is $26; saltwater is $24.20; shellfish/seaweed is $14; and a combination license is $48.20. Resident hunting licenses vary with package options, ranging from a small-game license at $38 to a deer/elk/cougar/bear combination license for $81.20.
Most annual licenses include a WDFW vehicle-use permit, which gives the bearer access to more than 600 WDFW recreational access sites throughout the state. Sold separately, the annual permit costs $14.
Licenses and permits are avaiIable online (
https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/), by phone (1-866-246-9453) and from sporting goods stores and other retail license dealers around the state. A list of license vendors is available from local WDFW offices and on the WDFW website at
http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/vendors/. April 1 is an important date because it marks the start of the new licensing year for fishing and hunting in Washington state. Here are a few other dates to keep in mind in the days ahead:
•March 1 – Dozens of lakes open to trout fishing in eastern Washington.
•March 10 – Deadline to apply for spring bear hunt drawing. Applications may be purchased online at
https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/, by calling (866) 246-9453, or at any license vendor in the state.
•March 12 – Lingcod fishing opens off the coast in marine areas 1-3 south of Cape Alava.
•March 31 – Applications due for multi-season deer/elk drawing. Winners can purchase tags to hunt with multiple types of weapons.
For more information about these and other outdoor activities coming up in the weeks ahead, see the region-by-region Weekender Reports. These reports are updated throughout the month for changes in fishing rules and other developments throughout the state.
