A message from WDFW Director Kelly Susewind

Today, some fishing, hiking, and hunting opportunities are reopening, and WDFW staff are working across the state to open gates and welcome you back to your public lands. It's a very exciting day.

With your attentiveness, I believe we can safely spend spring and summer in the outdoors enjoying the activities that bring us joy. To do this, we must remain vigilant about physical distancing, and we must engage in responsible recreation.

To be very clear, a flattening and declining COVID-19 trendline is the best possible news for all of us. Please review our guidelines below, and then let's do our part together to help beat this illness back.

Please be patient as we continue to assess our ability to reopen several remaining closures – notably coastal opportunities, halibut and shrimp, and camping on WDFW lands. Please check our COVID response webpage regularly for updates.

Access to nature is opening again, and we could not be more excited.

Take care,
Kelly Susewind, WDFW Director

Find outdoor activities close to home; recreate responsibly this May

This May, our Weekender Regional Reports highlight opportunities that encourage you to rediscover your local water access site or wildlife area as you explore your public lands. We'll keep these reports updated throughout the month to provide current information about local recreational opportunities.

Here's what you need to know before you head out to enjoy #ResponsibleRecreation in Washington:

• Check what's open. While state-managed lands are now open for day-use, many other local, tribal, and federal lands are still closed. Check first to avoid a wasted trip.
• Rediscover local sites. Travel is not recommended, and state lands are not open to overnight camping currently, so opt for day trips close to home.
• Head out with family and roommates. Recreate with immediate household members only to avoid exposing yourself and others to COID-19.
• Go prepared. You may notice limited restroom services as we begin the process to reopen wildlife areas and water access sites. Come prepared with your own toilet paper, soap, water, and hand sanitizer, and wash your hands often. Be ready to pack it in, and pack it out.
• Enjoy the outdoors when healthy. If you have symptoms of fever, coughing, or shortness of breath, stay home and enjoy the outdoors another day.
• Avoid crowds. Be prepared to go somewhere else or come back another time if your destination looks crowded.
• Practice physical distancing. Keep six feet between you and those outside of your household. Cover your face if you end up close to others.

You can find more information about current closures and responsible recreation on our blog.