Action: Reduces the Chinook portion of the salmon daily limit to one fish.
Effective dates: Aug. 7–Aug. 15, 2026
Species affected: Chinook salmon.
Location: Marine Area 6 Chinook Selective Fishery area (waters west of a true north/south line through the #2 Buoy immediately east of Ediz Hook, except Freshwater Bay).
Salmon Rules: Chinook minimum size 22 inches. Other salmon species, no minimum size. Daily limit two, including no more than one Chinook. Release chum, sockeye, wild coho, and wild Chinook.
Reason for action: WDFW, in consultation with Puget Sound sport fishing advisors, has determined this reduction in bag limit for hatchery Chinook is necessary in an effort to avoid an early closure of the Chinook retention season.
Additional information: Freshwater Bay remains closed to salmon fishing.
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: Fish Program, 360-902-2700