General Information Washington State, the northwesternmost state in the continental U.S., is 66,512 square miles of arguably the most spectacular scenery in the U.S. The Olympic and Cascade mountains are filled with awe-inspiring snow-capped peaks that transition into deep forests and colorful meadows. Puget Sound and the hundreds of miles of Pacific inlets and coastline offer sandy beaches and panoramic views. Inland, vineyards and farmed plateaus border natural glaciers, rivers, lakes and streams. Capital City: Olympia Largest City: Seattle National Parks and Forests: Coulee Dam National Recreational Area Lake Chelan National Recreational Area Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Mount Rainier National Park North Cascades National Park Okanogan National Forest Olympic National Forest Olympic National Park Ross Lake National Recreational Area Sport Fishing Washington State's vast freshwater and saltwater resources hold nearly every sport fish species found in the United States. Most common and important is the salmonid species, especially the rainbow trout. A majority of the 6,000 lakes, thousands of miles of rivers and equal amount of streams, kept cold by snowmelt and glaciers, hold this native fish. Three other salmonid native to the state's watersheds are the cutthroat trout, Dolly Varden trout, and kokanee salmon. Brook, brown, lake and golden trout, as well as grayling, were all introduced to the state and are not found in numbers equal to the native trout species. Steelhead is a favorite among anglers in Washington. Over 150 steelhead rivers are open during the winter run from December to March. In addition, over 30 rivers are listed as having holdover or summer run (May through October) fish. The Skagit, Green, Columbia, Skykomish and Snake all are rated among the top steelhead-producing rivers in Washington State. The Pacific inlets and Puget Sound attract the salmon angler as chinook (king) and coho (silver) salmon appear in the spring and fall. The salmon frequently are found just offshore before moving to the river mouths to spawn in the fall. Groundfish are often taken in the same waters. Hunting Washington's abundance of natural resources provides the hunter with many scenic and rewarding possibilities. White-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, moose, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, black bear, and cougar can be harvested during legal hunting seasons, some by special permit only. Small game and upland and migratory birds legally hunted in Washington include pheasant; valley, mountain, and bobwhite quail; sage, forest, blue and ruffed grouse; wild turkey; mourning dove; chukar and gray partridge; waterfowl; cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, and jackrabbit; and fox, lynx, coyote, and raccoon. For information on licensing, seasons, limits, rules and regulations, please visit the Washington Environment and Natural Resources website.