WDFW -- Region 3 - South Central Washington

WDFW Region 3

Jeff Tayer
Regional Director

1701 South 24th Avenue
Yakima, Washington 98902-5720
Office Hours: Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Telephone (509) 575-2740
Fax (509) 575-2474
TeamYakima@dfw.wa.gov

Local License Vendors

Local News / Events:

Master hunters invited to meeting in Ellensburg on Elk Area 3911

New wildlife farming program starts in Washington

Public scoping of livestock grazing on wildlife areas in Kittitas County scheduled July 15 in Ellensburg

Proposals to improve eastern Washington fishing, habitat to be focus of public meetings in July

Fio Rito lakes in Kittitas County to be treated for aquatic weeds

Wildlife Areas:

Region 3 Wildlife Areas

Region 3 Water Access Sites

Proposed Whiskey Dick Livestock Grazing Plan
PDF Format [1.31MB]

Local Opportunities:

Latest hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing opportunities

SAFE - Columbia Basin Irrigation Project - PDF format (513 KB)

Frequently Asked Questions about the change from GMU 588 black-tailed deer management rules to GMU 388 mule deer management rules

2007 High Lakes Trout Fry Stocking List

2008 Catchable Trout Plants

South Basin Waterfowl Surveys

Primer for High Lakes in Region 3 [PDF Format]

Wildlife Viewing Guide

Water Access sites for Lower and MiddleYakima River

Lower Yakima Spring Chinook Rules and Regulations

Ringold Spring Chinook Rules and Regulations

Links:

Columbia River Water Management Program

The 2006 legislature approved the Columbia River Water Mgt Program, which directs Department of Ecology to aggressively pursue new sources of water to supply both instream and out-of-stream needs.

This region hosts a diversity of broad life zones and habitats from mountain peaks to desert. From the west, the region originates in the high Cascade mountains where more than 100 inches of rain fall annually, supporting tall forests, alpine meadows and glaciers. The "rain shadow" effect created by the Cascades results in progressively drier conditions eastward until the forests eventually yield to arid shrubsteppe. Rainfall in portions of the region can be as little as five inches a year.

The Yakima River and the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River are among the region's more striking water resources. There are many other aquatic habitats ranging from alpine lakes and streams to warmwater lakes and ponds. White sturgeon, summer steelhead, bright fall chinook, and walleye are available in the Columbia River; bass, perch and bluegill may be caught in many local ponds; higher elevation streams host rainbow, cut-throat, and brook trout. The region's lakes offer fair to excellent rainbow and cutthroat trout fishing. While the waters of the region are closed to fishing for spring chinook and bull trout, the region offers many outstanding vantages for viewing these remarkable fish during their fall spawning seasons.

This region offers more than 400,000 acres of department owned land, all of which is open for public recreation. The department has also secured hunter access to an additional 180,000 acres of private land. These lands offer good to excellent hunting prospects for upland birds, waterfowl, and big game.

South Central Washington - Region 3 Office
We are open to serve you from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays.

1701 South 24th Avenue
Yakima, Washington 98902-5720
Telephone (509) 575-2740
Fax (509) 575-2474

Our customer service staff will be happy to help you with information about watchable wildlife opportunities and other fish and wildlife recreation in the area. Cooperative Road Management Area maps, hunting and fishing regulation pamphlets and other fish and wildlife information are available at the office free of charge. Game Harvest Reports are available to purchase.

To drive to this office: from I-82, take exit 34. Continue west on Nob Hill over the viaduct to 24th Avenue (approximately 3 miles). Turn left on 24th Avenue, travel approximately 3/4 mile. The entrance to the office driveway is on the left just past the cemetery tree line. Parking is available.

License sales
Licenses can easily be purchased over the Internet, or in person at one of over 500 license dealers statewide. For a list of dealers located closest to you, click here.

[PHOTO]
Hiker at Alpine Lake

Rainbow and Cut-throat Trout

[Eastern WA] [North Central WA] [South Central WA] [North Puget Sound] [Southwest WA] [Coastal WA]

Find a bug or error in the system? Let us know about it!
© 2008 Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
E-mail <webmaster@dfw.wa.gov>