WDFW Sportfishing Rules Updates

Action: Opens late season all-depth recreational halibut fisheries beginning Aug. 16. Raises annual halibut limit to six (6). Effective dates: Immediately through Sept. 30, 2024. Species affected: Pacific halibut. Locations and specific open dates: Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco/Chinook): The all-depth fishery opens Aug. 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31; Sept. 1, 2, 3, 5, … Read more

Action: Closes Chinook salmon retention in Rock Island Pool. Effective date: July 20 through Oct. 15, 2024. Species affected: Chinook salmon. Location: From Rock Island Dam to the boundary markers 400 feet downstream of the Rocky Reach fish ladders.  Salmon rules: Minimum size 12 inches. Daily limit four sockeye. Release all salmon other than sockeye. Reason for action: The current and … Read more

Action: Opens sockeye retention. Effective dates: One hour before official sunrise July 22, to one hour after official sunset Aug. 31, 2024.  Species affected: Sockeye salmon. Location: Lake Wenatchee (Chelan County). Catch record card area code 670. Rules:  Daily limit 4 sockeye. Minimum size 12 inches. Release all bull trout, steelhead, and Chinook salmon unharmed and without removing … Read more

Action: Extends Skagit River sockeye season fishery.  Effective date: July 16 through July 24, 2024.  Species affected: Sockeye salmon.  Location: Skagit River from Highway 536 Bridge (Memorial Highway Bridge) in Mt. Vernon to the Dalles Bridge at Concrete.  Rules: Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Daily limit is four sockeye. Release all salmon other than sockeye. Night closure in … Read more

Action: Allows retention of up to two (2) Chinook beginning July 13, 2024. Effective date: Immediately through Sept. 15, 2024. Species affected: Salmon. Location: Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay).  Rules west of Bonilla-Tatoosh line: Immediately through July 12, 2024: Daily limit is two (2) salmon including no more than one (1) Chinook. Chinook minimum size is 24 inches. Coho … Read more

Action: Allows retention of up to two (2) Chinook beginning July 13, 2024. Effective date: Immediately through Sept. 15, 2024. Species affected: Salmon. Location: Marine Area 3 (La Push). Rules: Immediately through July 12, 2024: Daily limit is two (2) salmon including no more than one (1) Chinook. Chinook minimum size is 24 inches. Coho minimum size is 16 … Read more

 Updated Puget Sound shrimping seasons   Actions:     Cancels the previously announced opening for all shrimp species including spot shrimp in Marine Area 6 outside Discovery Bay from July 12 through 14. Cancels the previously announced opening for all shrimp species including spot shrimp in Marine Area 7 West from July 12 through 14.  Opens … Read more

Action: Closes a portion of lower Skagit River to all fishing July 8 through July 10. Effective date: July 8 through July 10, 2024. Species affected: All species, sockeye salmon. Location: Skagit River from the Highway 9 Bridge in Sedro Woolley to the mouth of the Baker River. Rules: Closed to fishing for all species. Reason for action: This temporary … Read more

Action: Restores the salmon angling rules for the lower Cowlitz River to those in the 2024-25 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.  Effective date: July 4, 2024. Species affected: Salmon. Location: Cowlitz River from the mouth to the boundary signs approximately 400 feet below the Barrier Dam. Reason for action: The adult salmon daily limit on the Cowlitz River was … Read more

Action: Closes retention of adult Chinook salmon on Columbia River from Columbia Point to Priest Rapids Dam beginning July 3. Species affected: Chinook salmon. Effective dates, locations, and salmon rules: Columbia River from Columbia Point (1/3 mile downstream of I-182 Bridge at Richland) to I-182 Bridge at Richland: July 3 through July 15, 2024. Minimum size is 12 … Read more