WDFW Sportfishing Rules Updates

Action: Opens sockeye salmon retention in a portion of the Skagit River. Effective date: June 16 through July 15, 2024. Species affected: Sockeye salmon. Location: Skagit River (Skagit County) from the Highway 536 Bridge (Memorial Highway Bridge) in Mount Vernon to the Dalles Bridge at Concrete (CRC 830). Rules: Minimum size is 12 inches. Daily limit is four sockeye … Read more

Action: Opens one day of spring Chinook salmon.  Effective date: June 7, 2024 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 Dam. This zone includes both shores … Read more

OLYMPIA, WA – Governor Inslee has signed new legislation requiring Washington fishers to possess a recreational fishing license for freshwater smelt, crawfish, and carp. The law, which removes the fishing license exemption for each species, goes into effect June 6, 2024. The license requirement aims to improve fishing regulation compliance. This requirement will also provide information … Read more

Action: Extends spring Chinook season. Species affected: Spring Chinook and hatchery steelhead. Effective dates: June 1 through June 15, 2024. Location: Deep River (Wahkiakum County). Rules: Salmon and steelhead, daily limit is six (6), up to two (2) adults may be retained of which no more than one (1) may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery … Read more

Action: Extends the mainstem spring Chinook season below Bonneville Dam. Species affected: Spring Chinook and hatchery steelhead. Locations, dates, and rules: Columbia River from Rocky Point/Tongue Point upstream to Beacon Rock (a deadline marker on the Oregon bank (approximately four miles downstream of Bonneville Dam’s Powerhouse One) in a straight line through the western tip of … Read more

Actions:   Opens 1 day (limited hours) of spot shrimp fishing in Discovery Bay Opens additional dates for spot shrimp harvest in Marine Area 7 East  Opens 1 day (limited hours) of spot shrimp fishing in Marine Area 9 on June 13 Opens 1 day (limited hours) of spot shrimp fishing in Marine Area 10 inside … Read more

Action: Opens retention of hatchery Chinook salmon and steelhead. Species affected: Chinook salmon and steelhead; all species (see below, bank fishing only). Location: Lewis River (Clark/Cowlitz County).                                                                                        Effective dates, specific locations, and rules: Lewis River from the mouth to Johnson Creek: May 25 through July 31, 2024. Salmon:  Minimum size is 12 inches. Daily limit is six (6) hatchery Chinook … Read more

Action: Modifies the salmon harvest rules to allow retention of adipose fin-clipped adult Chinook salmon. Effective date: May 25 through July 31, 2024. Species affected: Salmon. Location: Cowlitz River from the mouth to the fishing boundary signs below the Barrier Dam. Rule: Minimum size is 12 inches. Daily limit is six (6) including no more than one (1) adult. Release all … Read more

Action: Extends the mainstem spring Chinook season below Bonneville Dam. Species affected: Spring Chinook, hatchery steelhead Locations, dates, and rules:   Columbia River from Rocky Point/Tongue Point upstream to Beacon Rock. The legal upstream boat boundary is a deadline marker on the Oregon bank (approximately four miles downstream from Bonneville Dam Powerhouse One) in a straight line through … Read more

Action: Extends spring Chinook season.  Species affected: Spring Chinook, hatchery steelhead Effective dates: May 24-27 and June 12-15, 2024 Location: Deep River (Wahkiakum County) Rule: Salmon and steelhead daily limit six, up to two adults may be retained of which no more than one may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead. Salmon … Read more