Anglers are landing increasing numbers of spring chinook salmon on the lower Columbia River, the lingcod season is under way on a large portion of the Washington coast and hundreds of lakes throughout the state open for trout fishing April 26.

Those are just a few of the reasons why anglers might want to purchase a 2008-09 fishing license before current licenses expire at midnight March 31.

Hunters also have good reason to plan ahead. A spring wild turkey season for hunters under age 16 is scheduled April 5-6 prior to the general spring turkey hunt that gets under way April 15.

"We encourage people to renew their fishing and hunting licenses early, so they can take advantage of all the great outdoor recreation opportunities available in the coming weeks," said Bill Joplin, licensing manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

Not counting dealer fees, the resident adult freshwater fishing license is $21.90; saltwater is $20.26; shellfish/seaweed is $10.95; and a combination license is $42.16. Resident hunting licenses vary with package options, ranging from a small-game license at $32.85 to a deer/elk/cougar/bear combination license for $72.27.

Most annual licenses include a WDFW vehicle-use permit, which gives the bearer access to more than 600 WDFW recreational access sites throughout the state. Sold separately, the annual permit costs $10.95.

Due to budget reductions adopted by the state Legislature in 2003, licenses and permits are no longer sold over-the-counter at any of the WDFW offices around the state. Instead, all sales have been shifted to retail license dealers, the website and a toll-free phone line (1-866-246-9453). See https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/ for information on license sales over the Internet.

For those interested in buying a license in person, a list of license vendors is available on the WDFW website at (http://wdfw.wa.gov/lic/vendors/vendors.htm ) or from local WDFW offices.

April 1 is an important date because it marks the start of the new licensing year for fishing and hunting in Washington state. Here are a few other dates to keep in mind during the coming weeks:

• March 31 - This is the deadline for deer and elk hunters to enter their name in a drawing for this year's multiple-season hunt. Winners of the drawing will be eligible to purchase a special permit allowing them to participate in archery, muzzleloader and modern-firearm general hunting seasons for deer or elk in 2008. Applications to enter the drawing cost $5.48 and can be purchased at an authorized license dealer (see http://wdfw.wa.gov/lic/vendors/vendors.htm ) or by calling (866) 246-9453.
• April 1 - Members of the public can comment on this year's proposed salmon fishing seasons during the second North of Falcon meeting in Lynnwood. For more information, see WDFW's North of Falcon website (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/northfalcon/ ).
• April 10 - Sportfishing for halibut will open in most areas of Puget Sound (marine areas 6-11 and 13). These fisheries will be open five days a week, Thursday through Monday.