WDFW Sportfishing Rules Updates

Action: Opens coho retention opportunities from Priest Rapids Dam to Rock Island Dam.  Species affected: Coho salmon. Effective date: Sept. 30–Oct. 15, 2026. Location: From Priest Rapids Dam to Rock Island Dam. Salmon rules: Minimum size 12 inches. Daily limit six, including no more than two adult Chinook and no more than four coho. Release … Read more

Action: Opens winter crab seasons in Marine areas 4 east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line, 5, 6, 7 (North and South), 9, and 12 north of a line projected due east from Ayock Point; crabbing is allowed seven days a week Oct. 1–Dec. 31 in these areas. Effective date: Oct. 1–Dec. 31, 2026. Species affected: Dungeness, … Read more

Action: Opens the Mineral Lake game fish season through Oct. 31 annually. Effective date: Oct. 1–31, 2026. Species affected: Game fish. Location: Mineral Lake (Lewis County). Permanent rules: Game fish is open from the fourth Saturday in April through Oct. 31 annually. Statewide minimum size and daily bag limits apply. Reason for action: In September … Read more

Action: Opens the Icicle River to retention of coho salmon. Effective date: Sept. 30–Nov. 30, 2026. Species affected: Coho salmon. Locations: Icicle River (Chelan County) From the closure signs located 800 feet upstream of the mouth of the river to 500 feet downstream from the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery Barrier Dam, and; From the shoreline … Read more

PAMPHLET CORRECTIONS Puget Sound and Coastal Rivers Smith Creek – Pacific Co. (near North River), from mouth to Hwy. 101 Bridge — Correction to Chinook salmon release requirements. Salmon open Oct. 1–Jan.31. Min. size 12″. Daily limit 6 including no more 2 adults. Release wild Chinook. Westside Lakes Mineral Lake – Lewis Co. — Correction … Read more

Action: Returns Stillaguamish River mainstem to permanent rules listed in the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet, opening salmon and game fish seasons. Maintains previously announced closure for North Fork Stillaguamish River. Species affected: All species (coho salmon and gamefish). Effective dates: Oct. 1-Nov. 1, 2026. Location and rules: North Fork Stillaguamish, from the mouth to … Read more

Action: Opens fishing in portions of Skagit River and Cascade River. This rule also reduces the daily limit of coho on the upper Skagit River, prohibits bait, and requires single-point barbless hooks for salmon; and schedules two temporary closure periods during tribal fisheries. Effective date: Oct. 1–31, 2026. Species affected: All species, coho salmon. Specific … Read more

Action: Opens Chinook retention from Buoy 10 to the Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco and coho retention from the west end of Puget Island to the Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco. Species affected: Salmon. Effective date: Sept. 26–Oct. 31, 2026. Locations and rules: From a north-south line through Buoy 10 to the Rocky Point/Tongue Point … Read more

Action: Closes all fishing. Species affected: All species. Effective dates: Sept. 26–Nov. 1, 2026. Location: Snohomish River, from the railroad bridge upstream of the Lincoln Avenue boat launch southeast of Snohomish to the confluence of the Skykomish and Snoqualmie rivers. Rules: Closed to fishing. Reason for action: Targeted reductions to fisheries monitoring funds available to … Read more

Action: Closes retention of wild (unmarked) adult Chinook in the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River beginning Sept. 23, 2026. Effective date: Sept. 23–Dec. 31, 2026 (see specific dates below). Species affected: Chinook salmon Location, dates, and rules: From the Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco to the Old Hanford Townsite Powerline Crossing (Catch Record Card … Read more