WDFW Sportfishing Rules Updates

Action: Closes all fishing. Effective date: Sept. 22–Oct. 31, 2026. Species affected: All species. Location: Deschutes River in Thurston County from the mouth (a line projected across the river 400 feet downstream of the lower Tumwater Falls fish ladder) to the Old Highway 99 (Capital Boulevard Southeast) Bridge. Reason for action: This section of the … Read more

Action: Reduces the salmon daily limit to one effective Monday, Sept. 21. Species affected: Salmon. Location and effective dates: Marine Area 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner), except the Tulalip Terminal Area: Sept. 21–25, 2026. Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet): Sept. 21–30, 2026. Salmon rules: No minimum size. Daily limit one. Release Chinook and chum. … Read more

Action: Returns Lake Washington to permanent rules listed in the Washington Sport Fishing Rules, reopening salmon fishing. Effective dates: Immediately through Oct. 31, 2026. Species affected: Coho salmon. Location: Lake Washington (King County) north of Highway 520 Bridge and east of Montlake Bridge, including the portion of the Sammamish River near Kenmore from 68th Avenue … Read more

Action: Closes recreational fishing in the North Fork Stillaguamish River and postpones the opening of the mainstem Stillaguamish River. Species affected: All species. Effective dates: Sept. 18, 2026, until further notice. Locations: North Fork Stillaguamish River, from the mouth to the Highway 530 bridge (Cicero Bridge) near Oso. Stillaguamish River, from Marine Drive to the … Read more

Action: Reduces hatchery steelhead daily limit. Species affected: Hatchery steelhead. Location: Tucannon River from the mouth to the Tucannon Hatchery Road bridge. Effective dates: Sept. 18, 2026, until further notice. Rules: Open daily. Daily limit 1 hatchery steelhead. Barbless hooks required. Reason for action: The total A/B-index and unclipped steelhead returns at Bonneville Dam are … Read more

Action: Reduces hatchery steelhead daily limits. Species affected: Hatchery steelhead. Effective dates: Sept. 18, 2026, until further notice. Location and rules: From the mouth of the Snake River (Burbank to Pasco railroad bridge at Snake River mile 1.25) to the Lower Granite dam (Catch Record Card (CRC) areas 640, 642, 644 and 646): Open daily. … Read more

Action: Closes retention of wild (unmarked) adult Chinook in Snake River beginning Sept. 18. Species affected: Chinook salmon. Location, 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): Sept. 16: Closed. Sept. 17: … Read more

Action: Temporary closure on the Satsop River. Effective date:  Sept. 16–30, 2026. Species affected: Game fish. Locations: Satsop River (Grays Harbor County) from the mouth to the Bingham Creek Hatchery dam. Rules: Closed to fishing. Reason for action: Disorderly fishing behavior has been observed on the Satsop River during enforcement patrols, with anglers observed targeting salmon … Read more

Action: Closes salmon fishing. Effective dates: Sept. 16, 2026, until further notice. Species affected: Coho salmon. Location: Lake Washington (King County) north of Highway 520 Bridge and east of Montlake Bridge, Including that portion of the Sammamish River near Kenmore from 68th Ave. NE Bridge downstream. Reason for action: In-season fishery data based on fish … Read more

Action: Postpones opening of fishing seasons in upper areas of the Skagit River and Cascade River and temporarily closes all fishing in the Skagit River from Gilligan Creek east of Sedro-Wolley to the Dalles Bridge near Concrete. This rule also reduces the salmon daily limit, prohibits bait, and requires single-point barbless hooks in the Skagit … Read more