Action: Modifies Chinook retention regulations from Buoy 10 to the west end of Puget Island.
Species affected: Salmon.
Effective date: Aug. 25–Sept. 2, 2026.
Locations and rules:
From a north-south line through Buoy 10 to the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line (a projected line from Rocky Point on the Washington bank through Red Buoy 44 to the red navigation marker 2 at Tongue Point on the Oregon bank):
- Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit two salmon including no more than one Chinook. Chinook minimum size 24 inches. Coho minimum size 16 inches. Release all salmon and steelhead other than hatchery Chinook and hatchery coho.
From the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line upstream to a line at the west end of Puget Island projected from green navigation marker 39 on the Washington bank to green navigation marker 41, then to red navigation marker 42, and terminating at red navigation marker 44A on the Oregon:
- Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six. Up to two adult salmon including no more than one Chinook may be retained. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Release all salmon and steelhead other than hatchery Chinook and hatchery coho.
Reason for action: Chinook catches at Buoy 10 are tracking above preseason expectations. To keep the fishery within established Endangered Species Act (ESA) impact rates, the planned non-mark-selective (hatchery or wild) Chinook retention period beginning Aug. 25 will remain mark-selective, allowing retention of hatchery Chinook only. This adjustment provides continued recreational Chinook opportunity while reducing impacts to wild Chinook, allowing the fishery to remain within established conservation constraints.
Additional information: Continuing to fish for jack salmon is prohibited once the daily adult salmon limit has been retained.
Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check for emergency rules on the WDFW website before fishing. Refer to the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for current regulations. Download the Fish Washington® mobile app to stay up to date on the go.
Information contact: Southwest Region, 360-696-6211.