WDFW Sportfishing Rules Updates

Action: Opens gamefish seasons. Effective date: Immediately through Jan. 14, 2024. Species affected: Trout, steelhead, and other gamefish. Location: Tokul Creek from Fish Hatchery Road Bridge to boundary marker downstream of diversion dam. Rules: Gamefish open, statewide minimum size/daily limit, except cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout minimum size is 14 inches. Anti-snagging rule in effect. … Read more

Action: Sets early closure dates for all fishing. Species affected: Steelhead and all gamefish. Locations and effective closure dates: North Fork Nooksack River from Hwy. 9 Bridge to Maple Creek: Effective Feb. 1 through Feb. 15, 2024: Closed to all fishing. South Fork Nooksack River from mouth to Skookum Creek: Effective Jan. 1 through Jan. 31, 2024: … Read more

Action:  Opens Razor clam seasons. Effective dates:  Dec. 26 through Dec. 29, 2023 Species affected:  Razor Clams Specific evening low tides and beaches that are open (digging allowed from 12:00 P.M. (noon) through 11:59 P.M.):  Dec. 26, Tuesday, 6:18 p.m.; -0.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis Dec. 27, Wednesday, 6:57 p.m.; -0.8 feet; Long … Read more

Action: Opens hatchery steelhead retention from The Dalles Dam upstream to the Washington/Oregon border. Maintains previously announced Chinook retention regulations through 2023. Species affected: Salmon and steelhead. Effective Date: Immediately, through March 31, 2024. Locations and rules: From a true north and south line projected through Buoy 10 upstream to the west end of Puget Island (a … Read more

Action:  Opens Razor clam seasons. Effective dates:  Dec. 13 through Dec. 17, 2023 Species affected:  Razor Clams Specific evening low tides and beaches that are open (digging allowed from 12:00 P.M. (noon) through 11:59 P.M.):  Dec. 13, Wednesday, 6:55 p.m.; -1.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks Dec. 14, Thursday, 7:39 p.m.; -1.3 feet; Long … Read more

Action: Restores the salmon and steelhead angling rules for the Elochoman River to those in the 2023-24 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet; all other permanent rules remain in effect. Effective date: December 7, 2023. Species affected: Salmon. Location: Elochoman River from the mouth to upstream. Reason for action: Salmon retention on the Elochoman River was closed below Beaver … Read more

Action: Closes wild coho retention. Effective date: Dec. 8, 2023, until further notice. Species affected: Wild coho salmon. Locations and rules: Naselle River from the mouth to the Crown Mainline (Salme) Bridge: Effective Dec. 8, 2023, until further notice: Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Daily limit is six (6) including no more than two (2) adults. … Read more

Action:  Updates rules for fishing from a floating device. Implements Selective Gear Rules (Selective Gear Rules prohibit the use of bait including scents or scented materials) with only one single-point barbless hook allowed in all areas open to fishing. Requires release of wild rainbow trout. Reduces steelhead daily limit for the Quillayute system (Bogachiel, Quillayute, … Read more

Action:  Implements Selective Gear Rules (Selective Gear Rules prohibit the use of bait including scents or scented materials) with only one single-point barbless hook allowed. Requires release of wild rainbow trout. Sets fishing closure dates. Effective date:  Dec. 1, 2023, until further notice; except Palix River upstream of the Middle Fork is not open to … Read more

Action:  Closes fishing seasons for both gamefish and salmon. Effective date:  Dec. 1, 2023, until further notice Species affected:  All species. Rules:  Closed to all fishing. Locations (The following waters are closed, from the mouth upstream, to all fishing): Black River (Grays Harbor Co.). Chehalis River (Grays Harbor Co.). Clearwater River (Jefferson Co.). Cloquallum Creek … Read more