WDFW Sportfishing Rules Updates

Actions: The recreational shrimp seasons for targeting spot shrimp in Marine Area 11 will not open. Recreational shrimp seasons targeting spot shrimp in Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2 will not open. This cancels dates that were previously announced on April 13. Recreational shrimp seasons for non-spot shrimps will open on June 1 in Marine Areas … Read more

Action: Sets opening dates for recreational halibut seasons in Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco/Chinook), Marine Area 2 (Westport), and Marine Areas 3 and 4 (Neah Bay and La Push). Raises annual halibut limit to six. Effective dates: April 30–June 30, 2026 (See below for specific open days in each area.) Species affected: Pacific halibut Locations and … Read more

Action: Requires release of wild jack Chinook and wild jack coho. Effective dates: May 1, 2026, until further notice. Species affected: Salmon. Locations: Quillayute River (Clallam County), from the Olympic National Park boundary upstream to the confluence of Sol Duc and Bogachiel rivers. Sol Duc River (Clallam County), from the mouth to the concrete pump … Read more

Action: Opens spring Chinook salmon fishing. Effective dates: May 5, 2026, until further notice. Species affected: Chinook salmon Location: Below Little Goose Dam – Snake River from Texas Rapids boat launch (located on the south side of the river upstream of the mouth of Tucannon River) upstream to the fishing restriction boundary below Little Goose … Read more

Action: Adds one day of spring Chinook fishing in the Columbia River below Bonneville Dam. Species affected: Spring Chinook, hatchery steelhead, and shad. Columbia River and Deep River locations, dates, and rules: From the Buoy 10 line upstream to Beacon Rock (a deadline marker on the Oregon bank (approximately 4 miles downstream of Bonneville Dam’s … Read more

Action: Closes salmon fishing in Marine Area 11. Effective dates: April 15–30, 2026 Species affected: Salmon Location: Marine Area 11, except Year-round piers. Reason for action: Preliminary estimates of Chinook catch indicate anglers may have reached one or more management criteria agreed to in the 2025-2026 List of Agreed Fisheries (LOAF) (PDF). It is necessary … Read more

Action: Opens a portion of the Skagit River to fishing for hatchery spring Chinook. Effective date: April 20–May 15, 2026 Species affected: Chinook salmon Location: Skagit River (Skagit County); from the Highway 536 bridge (Memorial Highway Bridge) in Mount Vernon to Gilligan Creek. Rules: Open for Chinook salmon fishing only (All other species are closed) … Read more

OLYMPIA – Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has undertaken emergency rule making to classify golden mussels (Limnoperna fortunei) as a Prohibited Level 1 invasive species statewide in response to the imminent threat of introduction and spread to Washington’s waters. As a Prohibited Level 1 species, live golden mussels may not be possessed or … Read more