The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is looking to buy land in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties to improve fishing access, the department announced recently.

The smaller, local proposed purchases are part of a group of 21 sites included in the department’s 2025 Lands 20/20 Initiative announcement . The purchases total 60,483 acres.

The proposals come as hunters and fishers have become increasingly angry about shrinking recreation opportunities in the state — and the growing cost of pursuing them.

“We’ve recently seen how much the public values access to our shared outdoor spaces, and WDFW is focused on responsible stewardship of land that promotes outdoor opportunities and conservation of fish, wildlife, and habitats,” said Kevin Connally, the department’s lands division manag

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