Washington Sport Fishing Rules: Effective July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018
Catch-and-release, Chumming, Daily Limit, Fly Fishing Only, Juvenile Only, Landlocked Salmon Rules,
Minimum Size (min. size), Maximum Size (max. size), Night Closure, Anti-Snagging Rule, Selective Gear
Rules, Internal Combustion Motors Prohibited, Release wild CHINOOK, Release wild COHO, and Release wild
CUTTHROAT. Denitions can be found on pages 10-11.
Using Freshwater Rules
Choose:
The following terms are used frequently in the Special Rules:
Westside Lakes
Pages 74-83
Eastside Lakes
Pages 84-94
2
1
3
4
Read:
The Statewide Freshwater Rules and Statewide Freshwater Species Rules. Determine seasons and general


http://wdfw.wa.gov.
If your area is listed in a Special Rules section:


RIVERSLAKES



pages 74-94
ALL unlisted areas are CLOSED.
Pries t Rapids
Dam
Wanapum
Dam
Chief
Joseph
Dam
Bon neville
Dam
Klickitat
Clark
Skamania
Co wlitz
Wahkiakum
Asotin
Walla
Walla
Co lumbia
Benton
GarfieldFra nklin
Lewis
Pacific
Yakima
Thursto n
Adams
Whitman
Pierce
Grays
Harbor
Kittita s
Mason
King
Kitsap
Lincoln
Grant
Spokane
Do uglas
Jeffe rso n
Snoho mish
Island
Clallam
Chelan
San Jua n
Skagit
Okano gan
Ferry
Whatco m
Stevens
Pend
Oreille
Whatcom
Skagit
Snohomish
King
Chelan
Clallam
Mason
Thurston
Pacific
Lewis
Wahkiakum
Cowlitz
Clark
Skamania
Pierce
Kittitas
Yakima
Klickitat
Okanogan
Douglas
Grant
Adams
Benton
Franklin
Ferry
Stevens
Pend
Oreille
Lincoln
Spokane
Whitman
Columbia
Garfield
Asotin
Kitsap
Island
San Juan
Jefferson
Grays
Harbor
Walla Walla
Refer to large river map and
instructions on page 17
Rivers
Freshwater Rules
13
Statewide Freshwater Rules
Washington Sport Fishing Rules: Effective July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018
GREEN STURGEON may not be retained.
Catch-and-release shing ONLY in the





Annual WHITE STURGEON limit is 2
sh even if the angler holds both a
Washington and Oregon license.
Catch Record Cards are required statewide.
WHITE STURGEON 






Night closure in effect for all STURGEON
(except Chehalis River). 





retained.
Tagged STURGEON:






WDFW Region 5 Ofce (Vancouver)





not more than one line with up to three















as any portion forward of the rear margin of
the gill plate.

freshwater areas where the Statewide Rules

Unless otherwise listed in the Special
Rules, you must follow the Statewide
Rules.

Rules show ALL
for each freshwater area listed.
The terms "TROUT", "All Game Fish", and
"Other Game Fish"





. See




with the same name. They do not mean that
the rules apply only to the portion of water in
that county.








the motor is in the water.







NO
aters annotated with:



 or . See:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/crss_
endorsement
aters annotated with:




aters annotated with:



to do so.
Sturgeon
Tackle
Special Rules
Instructions
Bait Rules
The following Statewide Freshwater Rules and seasons apply (pages 14-15)
unless listed otherwise in the Special Rules (pages 18-94).

Special Rules show ALL
opportunities for each freshwater area
listed.
CLOSED to the



Freshwater areas are open 24 hours
per day when open.
CLOSED to





seasons.
LAKES, PONDS, and RESERVOIRS are

 and
year-round.
RIVERS, STREAMS, and BEAVER
PONDS are CLOSED


or connected to streams listed as open to

same rules as the stream.
Areas/Seasons









if legal to do so.


 

 
 

14
Statewide Freshwater Rules
Washington Sport Fishing Rules: Effective July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018
Other
Game Fish Possession Limit for Game Fish is 2 Daily Limits in any form.
Food Fish
Game FishFood FishOther
Unless otherwise listed under the Special Rules sections, you must follow these Statewide Freshwater Species Rules.
15
Freshwater Rules
LARGEMOUTH BASS:






SMALLMOUTH BASS:





possession.
TIGER MUSKELLUNGE 

WALLEYE:



until daily limit is in possession.
WHITEFISH:

BURBOT

CHANNEL CATFISH:

CRAPPIE, NORTHERN PIKEMINNOW,
PEAMOUTH CHUB, PERCH, SUCKERS,
SUNFISH, CATFISH (except CHANNEL),
ROCK BASS, STRIPED BASS:

BULLFROGS:




GRASS CARP:

Rules.
TROUT:
The combined daily limit for an angler that shes in both rivers and lakes on the same day is 5 TROUT. In the
combined daily limit, only 2 TROUT may be from rivers, except as provided for EASTERN BROOK TROUT.
BROWN TROUT, CUTTHROAT TROUT,
RAINBOW TROUT, LAKE TROUT,
GOLDEN TROUT, KOKANEE, TIGER
TROUT, and GRAYLING:
In rivers, streams, and beaver ponds:



counted as part of the daily limit whether

In lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: 




released.
EASTERN BROOK TROUT (EBT)
In lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: Count as

In rivers, streams, and beaver ponds
within section for Columbia Basin (pages
48-73)



species.
In rivers, streams, and beaver ponds
within section for Puget Sound and Coast
(pages 18-46)
STEELHEAD
Release all wild STEELHEAD.

 


limit is retained unless 
Steelhead Retention


In rivers, streams, and beaver ponds
within section for Puget Sound and
Coast (pages 18-46)


otherwise listed.
COMMON CARP, SHAD:


SALMON:





any open or 

FORAGE FISH:

and. Possession limit



Statewide CLOSURE of EULACHON (Columbia River smelt).

rule. Check for announcements in late January.
WHITE STURGEON:
Columbia River from Bonneville Dam upstream to Priest Rapids
Dam including tributaries, and Snake River upstream to Ice
Harbor Dam





Please note
rules on page 14.
Columbia River from Bonneville Dam downstream, and from
Priest Rapids Dam to Chief Joseph Dam, Snake River from
Ice Harbor Dam upstream, coastal, and Puget Sound waters
including their tributaries.
Catch-and-release ONLY
Please
note rules on page 14.
GREEN STURGEON:
.
LAMPREY:


or or to use

NORTHERN PIKE:

possession limit. 


Other sh not classied as Game Fish or
Food Fish:

16
FISH ADVISORIES CONSUMPTION ADVICE


Body of Water Fish Species
Women (Childbearing Age)
and Children
Everyone Else
Statewide (Lakes and Rivers)
Mercury Advisory

 
  
Columbia River
 
Clams 
 




  


 

  
  





Duwamish River (Lower)  
Green Lake Carp 
Lake Chelan   
Lake Washington  
Cutthroat Trout 
 
Lake Whatcom   
  
Okanogan River


Carp 
Olympic National Park
 
  
  
    
Pend Oreille River

  
  
Puget Sound 

Spokane River

 
  
 
 Carp 
 
 
Walla Walla River 

Carp 
Wenatchee River

 
Yakima River

Carp 
Eat Fish? Read This! Advice from the Washington Department of Health
"Eat Fish: Advice from Department of Health"
Eat Fish, Choose Wisely


part of a heart healthy diet. Fish are a nutritious source of protein and

Before you
sh, check advisories at 
Tips to Reduce Contaminants

sources



