Headline News Northwest Fishing News (NWFN) serves as a comprehensive resource for anglers and stakeholders in the Pacific Northwest, offering timely updates on the sport fishing industry, conservation efforts, and legislative developments.
Sport Fishing Industry
NWFN provides in-depth coverage of the sport fishing sector, highlighting seasonal opportunities and industry trends. Recent features include “The Top Ten Places to Fish for Spring Chinook in the Pacific Northwest” (March 3, 2025) and “Top 10 Best Rivers to Fish for Steelhead in the Pacific Northwest in 2025” (February 27, 2025), offering readers valuable insights into prime fishing locations.
Conservation Efforts
The platform emphasizes the importance of sustainable fishing practices and habitat preservation. For instance, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) recently sought public input on the updated draft statewide Priority Fish Passage Barrier list, aiming to identify and address barriers that impede fish migration. This initiative underscores the commitment to enhancing fish passage and habitat connectivity.
Legislative Developments
NWFN keeps its audience informed about legislative changes impacting the fishing community. A notable update is the new requirement for recreational fishing licenses for freshwater smelt, crawfish, and carp in Washington State, effective June 6, 2024. This legislation aims to improve compliance with fishing regulations.
Additionally, the ODFW Commission adopted rules adding harvest days for wild coho on the Alsea and Coquille Rivers, reflecting adaptive management strategies to support both conservation and angler access.
Through its comprehensive coverage, Northwest Fishing News plays a pivotal role in informing and engaging the Pacific Northwest fishing community, promoting responsible practices, and supporting the region’s rich fishing heritage.
Columbia River Springer Photo courtesy of Schmitdys Guide Service CLACKAMAS, Ore.—Following an in-season assessment of the upriver spring Chinook return, fishery managers from Oregon and Washington added more recreational spring Chinook fishing days on the mainstem Columbia during a joint state hearing today. Fishery biologists with the U.S. v. Oregon Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) expect the …
Dungeness Crab Photo by Kindel Media: Pexels Here are the top California Fishing news stories as of today. 🐟 California’s 2025 Commercial Salmon Season: Third Consecutive Closure For the third year in a row, California’s commercial salmon season has been canceled due to critically low populations of fall-run Chinook salmon in the Sacramento River. …
Photo of Coho by USFW April 16, 2025 NEWPORT, Ore – The Pacific Fisheries Management Council (PFMC) finalized the 2025 ocean salmon seasons including ocean waters off Oregon yesterday. Recommended salmon seasons are not official until final approval by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce (expected by May 16), and after adoption by the …
Columbia River Spring Salmon, Schmidtys Guide Service. Here are the latestOregon Fishing News as of April 10, 2025: Columbia River Spring Chinook Season Extended Fishery managers from Oregon and Washington have added six additional days to the recreational spring Chinook salmon fishing season in the mainstem Columbia River downstream of Bonneville Dam. The fishery, …
Here are the latest Washington Fishing News 4-10-25 Halibut Fishing Season Puget Sound: The 2025 halibut fishing season commenced on April 3 in select Puget Sound marine areas.Washington Fish and Wildlife Coastal Areas: Coastal marine areas are set to open on May 1. Washington Fish and Wildlife Steelhead Fishery Closure The steelhead fishery on the …
Photo by Atle Grimsby, Flickr-CC Here is a summary of the latest developments in Alaska’s fishing industry as of April 4, 2025: Chinook Salmon Catch Limits and Regulations Southeast Alaska Catch Limit: The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has set the 2025 preseason all-gear catch limit for Chinook salmon in Southeast Alaska at …
Photo by Anastasia Golovina: Here is a summary of recent California Fishing News developments: Sea Lion Attack Raises Algae Poisoning Concerns On April 2, 2025, a 15-year-old girl was attacked by a sea lion in Long Beach, California, during a swim test. The incident has heightened concerns about toxic algae poisoning among marine mammals, …
Sea Stars – Source: Lana – Flickr – 2.0 CC Here is the latest fishing news for Washington State: Regulatory Updates: Public Input on Wildlife Area Recreation: The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking public input to inform a 15-year management plan for the Olympic-Willapa Hills Wildlife Area Complex, which includes …
Sediment from the Iron Gate Dam, Klamath River, source: USGS.GOV – Public Domain Here is the latest fishing news for the state of Oregon: Regulatory Updates: Razor Clam Harvesting Closure: Razor clam harvesting is currently closed from Cascade Head to the California border due to health concerns. Wild Spring Chinook Restrictions: The harvest of …
Kalaloch Beach Razor Clams – NPS, PD Mocrocks, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, and Copalis to host digs Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife shellfish managers have confirmed the season’s next round of razor clam digging opportunities at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, and Mocrocks, running March 26-April 3. Additionally, tentative dig dates are …