Action: Opens one day of Chinook retention.
Effective dates: Aug. 6, 2026.
Species affected: Chinook salmon.
Location: Marine Area 7, except Bellingham Bay.
Salmon rules: Daily limit two including no more than one hatchery Chinook. Chinook minimum size 22 inches. All other salmon species, no minimum size. Release chum, sockeye, wild coho, and wild Chinook.
Reason for action: Catch estimates for the summer Chinook fishery in this area, combined with daily catch rates, indicate that sufficient quota remains to allow for this opening.
Additional information: Bellingham Bay is unaffected by this rule change and open under rules listed in the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet (PDF). All areas listed as closed to salmon fishing year-round in the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet (PDF) remain closed.
Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check for emergency rules on the WDFW website before fishing. Refer to the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for current regulations. Download the Fish Washington® mobile app to stay up to date on the go.
Information contact: Fish Program, fishpgm@dfw.wa.gov, 360-902-2700.