Washington anglers enjoy several opening days

Washington will be opening a major fishing season that includes many area lakes on Saturday.

But a closer look shows that Washington has a confusing system of dates related to fishing that makes it essential for anglers to check the current fishing regulations pamphlet for the water they’re visiting.

• Season fishing licenses expire each year on March 31.
• Most lakes are open to fishing year round, but other managed lakes open on March 1, April 1, the fourth Saturday in April or Dec. 1.
• If a stream isn’t open year-round, it may have a season opening “the Saturday before Memorial Day” or “the first Saturday in June.”
• The new 2016 Washington Sportfishing Rules pamphlet will go into effect on July 1.