WDFW Sportfishing Rules Updates

Action:  Sets opening dates for recreational halibut seasons.  Raises annual halibut limit to six (6). Allows halibut legally retained in Area 5 to be landed in Marine Area 4 on days Area 4 is closed to halibut fishing. Effective dates:   Marine Areas 5 through 10: Open Thursday, April 4 through June 30, 2024 Marine Areas … Read more

Action: Closes retention of sturgeon. Effective date: March 15 through April 30, 2024. Species affected: White sturgeon. Location: Columbia River from John Day Dam to McNary Dam and all adjacent Washington tributaries. Reason for action: The projected total catch of white sturgeon in the John Day pool through March 14 is 99 fish as compared to the harvest guideline of … Read more

Action:  Opens Razor clam season. Effective dates:  March 7 through March 17, 2024 Species affected:  Razor Clams Specific low tides for openers:  Dates during evening (noon to midnight only) low tides: March 7, Thursday, 4:15 p.m.; -0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis March 8, Friday, 5:00 p.m.; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks … Read more

Second Eulachon smelt opener planned for the lower Cowlitz River Action:  Eulachon smelt will be open from 1:00 p.m. through 6:00 p.m. (5-hour period). Rules:  Daily limit is 10lbs only. Harvesters may use handheld dipnets only. It is unlawful to harvest smelt from a vessel. Effective date:  Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Species affected:  Eulachon smelt. … Read more

Adult salmon daily limit reduced in the Wind River Action: Reduces the adult salmon portion of daily limit to one (1). Effective date: March 16, 2024, until further notice. Species affected: Salmon and steelhead. Location: Wind River from the mouth to 800 yards downstream of Carson National Fish Hatchery. The mouth of the Wind River is … Read more

Salmon daily limit reduced in Drano Lake Action: Reduces the adult salmon portion of the salmon and steelhead daily limit to one (1). Effective date: March 16, 2024, until further notice. Species affected: Salmon and steelhead. Location: Drano Lake from waters downstream of markers on point of land downstream and across from Little White Salmon National Fish … Read more

Adult salmon daily limit reduced in the lower Klickitat River; salmon seasons shortened to support broodstock collection Action: Reduces the adult salmon portion of the daily limit to one (1); closes salmon season beginning on May 23, 2024. Delays opening of salmon season in the upper Klickitat River until further notice. Species affected: Salmon Location, effective … Read more

Adult salmon harvest rules modified for the lower Cowlitz River Action: Reduces adult salmon portion of the daily limit to 1 adult; adult Chinook must be both adipose and ventral fin clipped. Effective date: March 1, 2024, until further notice. Species affected: Salmon.                                                                                                 Location: Cowlitz River from boundary markers at the mouth to the fishing boundary signs … Read more

Adult salmon daily limit reduced on the Kalama River Action: Reduces the adult salmon portion of the daily limit to one (1) fish in the lower Kalama River. Effective date: Effective March 1, 2024, until further notice. Species affected: Salmon. Location: Kalama River from the mouth upstream to 1,000 feet below the fishway at Kalama Falls Hatchery. … Read more

Action: Opens two days of white sturgeon retention. Effective dates: Immediately through April 30, 2024. Feb. 24 and Feb. 28 only, open for retention. All other days through April 30 are open for catch and release only. Species affected: White sturgeon. Location: Columbia River from The Dalles Dam to John Day Dam and all adjacent Washington tributaries. Rules: … Read more