WDFW Sportfishing Rules Updates

Upper Skagit River to open for hatchery spring Chinook Action: Opens a portion of the Skagit River to fishing for hatchery spring Chinook. Effective dates: May 16–July 15, 2026 Species affected: Chinook salmon. Location: Skagit River from Hwy. 530 Bridge at Rockport to Cascade River Rd. (Marblemount Bridge). Catch Record Code (CRC) (830). Rules: Minimum … Read more

Action: Extends spring Chinook seasons in the mainstem Columbia River from Rocky Point/Tongue Point upstream to Bonneville Dam (six retention days) and from Bonneville Dam upstream to the Washington/Oregon border (five retention days). Species affected: Spring Chinook, hatchery steelhead, shad, other game fish. Columbia River and Deep River locations, dates, and rules: From Rocky Point/Tongue … Read more

Action: Sets closure for Chinook fishery below Little Goose Dam after May 19 and opens two days of spring Chinook salmon fishing below Ice Harbor Dam May 20–21. Species affected: Chinook salmon Specific Locations and open dates for salmon: Below Little Goose Dam – Snake River from Texas Rapids boat launch (located on the south … Read more

Actions: The recreational shrimp seasons for targeting spot shrimp in Marine Area 11 will not open. Recreational shrimp seasons targeting spot shrimp in Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2 will not open. This cancels dates that were previously announced on April 13. Recreational shrimp seasons for non-spot shrimps will open on June 1 in Marine Areas … Read more

Action: Sets opening dates for recreational halibut seasons in Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco/Chinook), Marine Area 2 (Westport), and Marine Areas 3 and 4 (Neah Bay and La Push). Raises annual halibut limit to six. Effective dates: April 30–June 30, 2026 (See below for specific open days in each area.) Species affected: Pacific halibut Locations and … Read more

Action: Requires release of wild jack Chinook and wild jack coho. Effective dates: May 1, 2026, until further notice. Species affected: Salmon. Locations: Quillayute River (Clallam County), from the Olympic National Park boundary upstream to the confluence of Sol Duc and Bogachiel rivers. Sol Duc River (Clallam County), from the mouth to the concrete pump … Read more

Action: Opens spring Chinook salmon fishing. Effective dates: May 5, 2026, until further notice. Species affected: Chinook salmon Location: Below Little Goose Dam – Snake River from Texas Rapids boat launch (located on the south side of the river upstream of the mouth of Tucannon River) upstream to the fishing restriction boundary below Little Goose … Read more

Action: Adds one day of spring Chinook fishing in the Columbia River below Bonneville Dam. Species affected: Spring Chinook, hatchery steelhead, and shad. Columbia River and Deep River locations, dates, and rules: From the Buoy 10 line upstream to Beacon Rock (a deadline marker on the Oregon bank (approximately 4 miles downstream of Bonneville Dam’s … Read more

Action: Closes salmon fishing in Marine Area 11. Effective dates: April 15–30, 2026 Species affected: Salmon Location: Marine Area 11, except Year-round piers. Reason for action: Preliminary estimates of Chinook catch indicate anglers may have reached one or more management criteria agreed to in the 2025-2026 List of Agreed Fisheries (LOAF) (PDF). It is necessary … Read more