WDFW Sportfishing Rules Updates

Action: Opens Chinook retention seven days/week. Effective date: Aug. 18 through Sept. 30, 2023. Species affected:  Salmon. Location: Marine Area 2 (Westport-Ocean Shores) Salmon Rules: Daily limit two (2) including no more than one (1) Chinook. Chinook minimum size is 22 inches. Coho minimum size is 16 inches. Other salmon species no minimum size. Release wild coho. … Read more

Additional days of Chinook fishing to open in Marine Area 10 Action: Opens Chinook fishing for additional days in Marine Area 10 (except Elliott Bay), from Aug. 18 through Aug. 20. Maintains previously announced changes to coho retention. Species affected: Salmon. Location: Marine Area 10 Specific Locations, Dates, and Rules: Marine Area 10, except Elliott … Read more

Action:  The previously announced recreational crab opening in Marine Area 7 North is delayed and will not begin on August 17. The area will remain closed until further notice. Effective date:  Immediately, until further notice. Species affected:  Dungeness crab, red rock crab, tanner crab. Location:   Marine Area 7 North (Those waters of Marine Area … Read more

Action: Closes shoreline fishing for game fish in a portion of the Rimrock Reservoir in the vicinity of South Fork Tieton River and all game fish fishing in South Fork Tieton. Species affected: All species. Dates: Aug. 15 through Dec. 1, 2023. Locations: Rimrock Reservoir (Lake): Closed to shoreline (bank) fishing for gamefish from the intersection … Read more

Action: Opens lower river salmon seasons early, allows use of bait except for eggs in areas open for salmon. Species affected: Salmon. Location: Snohomish River (Snohomish County). Effective dates and rules for specific locations: From the mouth to the railroad (RR) bridge immediately upstream of WDFW’s Lincoln Ave Snohomish Boat Launch: Closed immediately through Aug. 31 … Read more

Action:  Adjusts adult salmon daily limit.            Effective date:  Sept. 1 through Oct. 31, 2023 Species affected:  Salmon.          Location:  Columbia River; from Hwy. 395 Bridge at Pasco to Columbia Point (1/3 mile downstream of the I-182 Bridge) Rule: Salmon daily limit 6 including no more than 1 adult. Release all salmon other than Chinook and … Read more

Action: Opens Chinook fishing for additional days Effective date: Aug. 11 through Oct. 31, 2023. Species affected: Salmon. Location: Marine Area 10 Specific Locations, Dates, and Rules: Marine Area 10, except West Elliott Bay, East Elliott Bay, Sinclair Inlet and Port Orchard, and Year-round piers (Bremerton Boardwalk, Illahee State Park Pier, Seacrest Pier, and Waterman … Read more

Action: Opens Chinook salmon retention in areas of the Snake River. Species affected: Chinook salmon. Location: Snake River. Specific locations, dates, and rules: Lyons Ferry Bubble Fishery from the red river marker (Marker 28) on the south shore of the Snake River upstream to the Highway 261 Bridge (approximately 1.4 miles):  Open Sept. 7, until further notice, … Read more

Action: Implements ¾-inch maximum hook gap. Effective date: Aug. 10 through Sept. 13, 2023. Species affected: All species. Location: Samish River from mouth (Bayview-Edison Road) to Thomas Road Bridge (CRC 816). Salmon rules: Only 1 single point hook allowed. Stationary gear restriction. Maximum hook gap of ¾-inch (measured point to shank). Only fish hooked inside the … Read more

Action: Reopens salmon angling. Species affected: Salmon. Location: Marine Area 11. Effective Dates and Rules: Aug. 9 through Aug. 31, 2023: Open seven (7) days/week. Angling from a floating device, other than a dock or pier that is attached to shore, is prohibited. Salmon daily limit is two (2). No minimum size.  Release Chinook and … Read more