Washington state anglers can fish for free June 11-12

The state’s annual Free Fishing Weekend will be June 11-12.

During those two days, no license will be required to fish or gather shellfish in any waters open to fishing in Washington state. Also, no vehicle access pass or Discover Pass will be required to park at any of the nearly 700 water-access sites maintained by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Anglers will not need a two-pole endorsement to fish with two poles on selected waters where permitted. Anglers also will not need a Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement, otherwise required to fish for salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River and its tributaries, according to a news release.

Many rivers will open to trout fishing Saturday. Other options available on Free Fishing Weekend include:

▪ Lingcod on the coast.

▪ Bass, crappie, perch and other warmwater lake fish.

▪ Shad on the Columbia River.

▪ Chinook salmon on the Columbia River.

▪ Hatchery steelhead on the mainstem Columbia River and rivers on the Olympic Peninsula.

Anglers should note that six lakes and the lower sections of most rivers that flow into Puget Sound are closed to all fishing at this time. Before heading out, anglers should check current fishing regulations valid through June.

While no licenses are required on Free Fishing Weekend, other rules such as size limits, bag limits and closures will still be in effect. Anglers will be required to complete a catch record card for any salmon, steelhead, sturgeon or halibut they catch.

Catch record cards are available free at hundreds of sporting goods stores and other license dealers throughout the state.

This story was originally published June 3, 2016 at 2:49 PM with the headline "Washington state anglers can fish for free June 11-12."