Editor’s note: The Queets, Quinault, Central Coast and Grays Harbor section below was updated December 2, 2025 following a WDFW fishing rules update post.

THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

 Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) fishery managers today announced regulations for the state’s 2025-26 coastal steelhead season. 

Most major steelhead fishing areas are scheduled to be open from Dec. 1 through March 31. Notable exceptions include: 

• The Humptulips River and its tributaries will close Feb. 2. 

• The Chehalis River and its tributaries will close Feb. 16. 

Find a complete list of season regulations and closing dates by area on WDFW’s emergency fishing rule changes webpage and the Fish Washington® mobile app. Areas not listed in the emergency fishing rule changes will remain as described in the 2025-26 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet. 

The daily bag limit for all rivers and streams is two hatchery steelhead. Anglers must release wild steelhead and rainbow trout, and may not fully remove wild steelhead from the water. 

Additional emergency fishing rule changes may occur during the season. 

“Balancing wild steelhead conservation with providing meaningful fishing opportunities is no easy task, and we appreciate the public’s engagement throughout this comprehensive process,” said Kelly Cunningham, WDFW Fish Program director. “Implementing our new permanent coastal steelhead regulations shows our commitment to achieving conservation objectives while offering sustainable fisheries.” 

WDFW is modifying permanent regulations for coastal steelhead, game fish, and trout seasons, following multiple presentations to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission and an extensive public input process, including virtual town halls and a comment period. The Commission on Nov. 14 approved these permanent regulations, which WDFW aims to enact by January 2026. 

Steelhead survival rates have declined in rivers flowing into Washington’s Pacific Coast, Grays Harbor, and Willapa Bay over the past five decades, with many populations returning below escapement goals in recent years. 

Because of low coastal steelhead returns, state and tribal fishery managers have frequently made significant changes to fisheries, resulting in emergency regulations that differ from the annual Washington Sport Fishing Rules. Preliminary information from 2024-25 steelhead returns indicates most areas are below escapement goals. 

WDFW continues to operate under its Statewide Steelhead Management Plan, which requires the Department to prioritize the sustainability of wild coastal steelhead runs by focusing on healthy levels of abundance, productivity, diversity, and distribution. 

Steelhead, a sea-going rainbow trout that can exceed 30 pounds, is the state fish and a Pacific Northwest icon that has been culturally and economically important throughout the region’s history, including in popular recreational fisheries. 

For more information about coastal steelhead management, visit WDFW’s webpage. 

THE FOLLOWING ARE FISHING RULE CHANGE NOTICES FROM WDFW

North Coast/Olympic Peninsula rivers and tributaries: steelhead and trout rules update

November 26, 2025

Actions:  

• Updates wild trout release requirements.
• Updates game fish (including trout and steelhead) season closing dates.
• Updates game fish (including trout and steelhead) bait restrictions.
• Updates steelhead daily limits.

Effective dates: Dec. 1, 2025–April 30, 2026. 

Species affected: All species.

Locations, specific dates, and rule changes (shows all changes to rules listed in 2025-26 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet):

Big River(Clallam County), outside Olympic National Park: 

• Jan. 1–Feb. 28:
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. 

Bogachiel River (Clallam County), from mouth to Olympic National Park boundary:

• From mouth to Highway 101 Bridge:
  • Dec. 1–31:
    • Hatchery steelhead: Daily limit two.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • Jan. 1–March 31:
    • All species: Bait prohibited.
    • Hatchery steelhead: Daily limit two.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
    • April 1–30:
    • All species: Closed.
• From Highway 101 Bridge to Olympic National Park boundary:
  • Dec. 1–March 31:
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • April 1–30:
    • All species: Closed.

Calawah River (Clallam County):

• From mouth to Highway 101 Bridge:
  • Dec. 1–31:
    • Hatchery steelhead: Daily limit two.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • Jan. 1–March 31:
    • All species: Bait prohibited.
    • Hatchery steelhead: Daily limit two.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
    • April 1–30:
    • All species: Closed.
  • From Highway 101 Bridge to the confluence of the north and south forks:
    • Dec. 1–March 31:
      • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
    • April 1–30:
    • All species: Closed.

Calawah River, South Fork (Clallam County), from mouth to Olympic National Park boundary:

• Dec. 1–Feb. 28:
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. 

Cedar Creek(Jefferson County), outside Olympic National Park:

• Dec. 1–Feb. 28:
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. 

Clallam River (Clallam County):

• Dec. 1–Jan. 31:
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. 

Dickey River(Clallam County), from Olympic National Park boundary upstream to the confluence of the east and west forks:

• Dec. 1–31:
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • Jan. 1–March 31:
    • All species: Bait prohibited.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • April 1–30:
    • All species: Closed.

Dickey River, east and west forks (Clallam County): 

• Dec. 1–March 31:
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. 

Goodman Creek (Jefferson County), outside Olympic National Park:

• Dec. 1–Feb. 28:
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. 

Hoh River (Jefferson County):

• From Olympic National Park boundary upstream to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Oxbow Campground boat launch:
  • Dec. 1–31:
    • Hatchery steelhead: Daily limit two.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • Jan. 1–March 31:
    • All species: Bait prohibited.
    • Hatchery steelhead: Daily limit two.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
    • April 1–15:
    • All species: Closed.
• From the DNR Oxbow Campground boat launch to Morgan’s Crossing boat launch:
  • Dec. 1–March 31:
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
    • April 1–15:
    • All species: Closed.
• From Morgan’s Crossing boat launch to Olympic National Park boundary below mouth of South Fork Hoh River:
  • Dec. 1–Feb. 28:
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
    • March 1–April 15:
    • All species: Closed.

Hoh River, South Fork (Jefferson County), outside Olympic National Park:

• Dec. 1–Feb. 28:
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • March 1–April 15:
    • All species: Closed.

Hoko River (Clallam County):

• From mouth to 100 feet downstream of the hatchery fish ladder:
  • Dec. 1–March 15:
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
• From the hatchery fish ladder to the upper Hoko Bridge:
  • Dec. 1–March 15:
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.

Kalaloch Creek (Jefferson County), outside Olympic National Park:

• Dec. 1–Feb. 28:
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. 

Lyre River (Clallam County), from the mouth to falls near river mile three:

• Dec. 1–Jan. 31:
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. 

Mosquito Creek (Jefferson County), from Olympic National Park boundary upstream to Goodman 3000 Mainline Bridge:

• Dec. 1–Feb. 28:
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. 

Pysht River (Clallam County):

• Dec. 1–Jan. 31:
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. 

Quillayute River (Clallam County), outside of Olympic National Park boundary:

• Dec. 1–31:
  • Hatchery steelhead: Daily limit two.
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
• Jan. 1–March 31:
  • All species: Bait prohibited.
    • Hatchery steelhead: Daily limit two.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
• April 1–30:
  • All species: Closed.

Sekiu River (Clallam County), from mouth to forks:

• Dec. 1–Jan. 31:
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. 

Sol Duc River (Clallam County): 

• From mouth to concrete pump station at Sol Duc Hatchery:
  • Jan. 1–March 31:
    • All species: Bait prohibited.
  • April 1–30:
    • All species: Closed.
• From concrete pump station at Sol Duc Hatchery to Highway 101 Bridge upstream of Klahowya Campground:
  • April 1–30:
    • All species: Closed.

Thunder Creek (Clallam County), from mouth to D2400 Road:

• Dec. 1–April 30:
  • All species: Closed. 

Reason for action: These rule changes implement permanent rules adopted by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission on Nov. 14. 

Additional information: 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 2025–26 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for current regulations. Download the Fish Washington® mobile app to stay up to date on the go.

Information contact: Coastal Region, TeamMontesano@dfw.wa.gov, 360-249-4628.

Queets, Quinault, central coast, and Grays Harbor rivers and tributaries: fishing rules update

Actions: 

• Updates single-point barbless hook requirements for December.
• Maintains previously announced wild trout release requirements.
• Maintains previously announced game fish (including trout and steelhead) season closing dates.
• Maintains previously announced game fish (including trout and steelhead) gear restrictions.
• Maintains previously announced steelhead daily limits.

Effective dates: Dec. 3, 2025–April 30, 2026.

Species affected: All species.

Locations, specific dates, and rule changes (shows all changes to rules listed in 2025-26 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet):

Chehalis River (Grays Harbor County):

• From mouth (Highway 101 Bridge in Aberdeen) to confluence with the Skookumchuck River, including all channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways:
  • Dec. 3–31:
    • All species: Single-point barbless hooks required.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • Jan. 1–Feb. 15:
    • All species: Selective gear rules.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • Feb. 16–April 15:
    • All species: Closed.
• From the confluence of the Skookumchuck River to the confluence of Crim Creek:
  • Dec. 3–31:
    • All species: Single-point barbless hooks required.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • Jan. 1–April 15:
    • All species: Closed.
    •  
• From Crim Creek upstream:
  • Dec. 3–April 15:
    • All species: Closed.

Chehalis River, South Fork (Lewis County), from mouth to County Highway Bridge near Boistfort School:

• Dec. 3–April 15:
  • All species: Closed.

Clearwater River (Jefferson County), from mouth to Snahapish River:

• Dec. 3–31:
  • All species: Selective gear rules, except bait is allowed.
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
• Jan. 1–Feb. 28:
  • All species: Selective gear rules.
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
• March 1–31:
  • All species: Selective gear rules. Catch-and-release.
• April 1–15:
  • All species: Closed.

Cloquallum Creek (Grays Harbor/Mason County), from mouth to outlet at Stump Lake:

• Dec. 3–Feb. 28:
  • All species: Closed.

Copalis River (Grays Harbor County), from mouth upstream:

• Dec. 3–31:
  • All species: Single-point barbless hooks required.
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
• Jan. 1–Feb. 28:
  • All species: Selective gear rules.
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.

Elk Creek (Lewis and Pacific counties):

• Dec. 3–March 31:
  • All species: Closed.

Elk River (Grays Harbor County), from mouth (Highway 105 Bridge) upstream:

• Dec. 3–31:
  • All species: Selective gear rules.
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
• Jan. 1–Feb. 28:
  • All species: Closed.

Hoquiam River, including West Fork (Grays Harbor County): From mouth (Highway 101 Bridge on Simpson) upstream:

• Dec. 3–31:
  • All species: Selective gear rules.
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
• Jan. 1–Feb. 28:
  • All species: Closed.

Hoquiam River, East Fork (Grays Harbor County), from mouth upstream:

• Dec. 3–31:
  • All species: Selective gear rules.
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
• Jan. 1–Feb. 28:
  • All species: Closed.

Humptulips River (Grays Harbor County)

• From mouth (Jessie Slough) to Highway 101 Bridge:
  • Dec. 3–31:
    • All species: Single-point barbless hooks required.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • Jan. 1–Feb. 1:
    • All species: Selective gear rules.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • Feb. 2–March 31:
    • All species: Closed.
• From Highway 101 Bridge to confluence of east and west forks:
  • Dec. 3–31:
    • All species: Single-point barbless hooks required.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • Jan. 1–Feb. 28:
    • All species: Closed.

Humptulips River, West Fork (Grays Harbor County), from mouth to Donkey Creek:

• Dec. 3–Feb. 28:
  • All species: Closed.

Joe Creek (Grays Harbor County), from mouth to Ocean Beach Road Bridge:

• Dec. 3–31:
  • All species: Single-point barbless hooks required.
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.

John’s River (Grays Harbor County), from mouth to Ballon Creek:

• Dec. 3–31:
  • All species: Single-point barbless hooks required.
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
• Jan. 1–Feb. 28:
  • All species: Closed.

Moclips River (Grays Harbor County), from mouth to the Quinault Indian Reservation boundary:

• Dec. 3–31:
  • All species: Single-point barbless hooks required.
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
• Jan. 1–Feb. 28:
  • All species: Selective gear rules.
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.

Newaukum River, including South Fork (Lewis County):

• From mouth to Leonard Road near Onalaska:
  • Dec. 3–31:
    • All species: Single-point barbless hooks required.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • Jan. 1–March 31:
    • All species: Closed.
• From Leonard Road near Onalaska to Highway 508 Bridge near Kearny Creek:
  • Dec. 3–March 31:
    • All species: Closed.

Newaukum River, Middle Fork (Lewis County), from mouth to Tauscher Road Bridge:

• Dec. 3–March 31:
  • All species: Closed.

Newaukum River, North Fork (Lewis County), from mouth to 400 feet below the Chehalis city water intake:

• Dec. 3–March 31:
  • All species: Closed.

Quinault River (Grays Harbor and Jefferson counties), from mouth at upper end of Quinault Lake upstream to Olympic National Park boundary:

• Dec. 3–31:
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
• Jan. 1–March 31:
  • All species: Bait prohibited.
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
• April 1–15:
  • All species: Closed.

Salmon River (Jefferson County), outside Olympic National Park and Quinault Indian Reservation:

• Dec. 3–31:
  • Steelhead: It is permissible to retain steelhead with a dorsal fin height of less than 2 1/8 inches or with an adipose or ventral fin clip. Minimum size 20 inches. Daily limit two.
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
• Jan. 1–Feb. 28:
  • All species: Bait prohibited.
  • Steelhead: It is permissible to retain steelhead with a dorsal fin height of less than 2 1/8 inches or with an adipose or ventral fin clip. Minimum size 20 inches. Daily limit two.
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.

Satsop River and East Fork (Grays Harbor County):

• From mouth to the bridge at Schafer State Park:
  • Dec. 3–31:
    • All species: Single-point barbless hooks required.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • Jan. 1–Feb. 15:
    • All species: Selective gear rules.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • Feb. 16–March 31:
    • All species: Closed.
• From 400 feet downstream of Bingham Creek Hatchery barrier dam upstream to the dam:
  • Dec. 3–31:
    • All species: Single-point barbless hooks required.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • Jan. 1–Feb. 15:
    • All species: Selective gear rules.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • Feb. 16–March 31:
    • All species: Closed.

Satsop River, Middle Fork (Grays Harbor County):

• Dec. 3–Feb. 28:
  • All species:

Satsop River, West Fork (Grays Harbor County):

• Dec. 3–Feb. 28:
  • All species:

Skookumchuck River (Thurston County), from the mouth to 100 feet below the outlet of the TransAlta/WDFW steelhead rearing pond at the base of the Skookumchuck Dam:

• Dec. 3–31:
  • All species: Single-point barbless hooks required.
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
• Jan. 1–Feb. 15:
  • All species: Selective gear rules.
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
• Feb. 16–April 30:
  • All species: Closed.

Stevens Creek (Grays Harbor County):

• From the mouth to the cable crossing downstream of WDFW hatchery outlet:
  • Dec. 3–Feb. 1:
    • All species: Selective gear rules.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • Feb. 2–28:
    • All species: Closed.
• From WDFW hatchery outlet to Highway 101 Bridge:
  • Dec. 3–Feb. 28:
    • All species: Closed.

Van Winkle Creek (Grays Harbor County), from the mouth to 400 feet below the outlet of Lake Aberdeen Hatchery:

• Dec. 3–31:
  • All species: Single-point barbless hooks required.
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
• Jan. 1–Feb. 28:
  • All species: Closed.

Wishkah River (Grays Harbor County), from mouth to 200 feet below the weir at the Wishkah rearing ponds:

• Dec. 3–31:
  • All species: Single-point barbless hooks required.
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
• Jan. 1–Feb. 28:
  • All species: Closed.

Wynoochee River (Grays Harbor County):

• From mouth to the 7400 Line Bridge:
  • Dec. 3–31:
    • All species: Single-point barbless hooks required.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • Jan. 1–Feb. 15:
    • All species: Selective gear rules.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • Feb. 16–March 31:
    • All species: Closed.
• From the 7400 Line Bridge to 400 feet downstream of Wynoochee Dam:
  • Dec. 3–March 31:
    • All species: Closed.
• Upstream of Wynoochee Dam to Wynoochee Falls:
  • Dec. 3–March 31:
    • All species: Closed.

Reason for action: These rule changes implement permanent rules adopted by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission on Nov. 14, 2025 and provide protection for wild steelhead stocks that are expected to return below the escapement targets. These rule changes are expected to result in a reduction of wild steelhead encounters relative to permanent rules previously in place.

Additional information: 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 2025–26 Washington Sport Fishing Rules for current regulations. Download the Fish Washington® mobile app to stay up to date on the go.

Information contact: Coastal Region, TeamMontesano@dfw.wa.gov, 360-249-4628.

Willapa Bay tributaries fishing rules update

November 26, 2025

Actions:  

• Updates wild trout release requirements.
• Updates game fish (including trout and steelhead) season closing dates.
• Updates game fish (including trout and steelhead) gear restrictions.

Effective dates: Dec. 1, 2025–April 15, 2026.

Species affected: All species.

Locations, specific dates, and rule changes (shows all changes to rules listed in 2025-26 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet):

Bear River (Pacific County), from mouth (Highway 101 Bridge) to Longview Fiber Bridge:

• Dec. 1–March 31:
  • All species: Selective gear rules.
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow. 

Naselle River (Pacific/Wahkiakum counties):

• From Highway 101 Bridge to 300 feet below the upstream entrance of the Naselle Hatchery attraction channel:
  • Dec. 1–Jan. 31:
    • All species: Anti-snagging rule. Single-point barbless hooks required. Night closure.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • Feb.1–March 31:
    • All species: Selective gear rules.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • April 1–15:
    • All species: Closed.
• From the upstream entrance of the Naselle Hatchery attraction channel to 400 feet downstream of the falls in Sec. 6, T10N, R8W:
  • Dec. 1–Jan. 31:
    • All species: Anti-snagging rule. Single-point barbless hooks required. Night closure.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • Feb.1–March 31:
    • All species: Selective gear rules.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • April 1–15:
    • All species: Closed.
• From the falls in Sec. 6, T10N, R8W, to the Crown Mainline (Salme) Bridge:
  • Dec. 1–Jan. 31:
    • All species: Anti-snagging rule. Single-point barbless hooks required. Night closure.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • Feb.1–March 31:
    • All species: Selective gear rules.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • April 1–15:
    • All species: Closed.
• From the Crown Mainline (Salme) Bridge to the mouth of the North Fork:
  • Dec. 1–March 31:
    • All species: Selective Gear Rules.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • April 1–15:
    • All species: Closed.

Naselle River, South (Pacific County), from mouth to Bean Creek:

• Dec. 1–March 31:
  • All species: Selective gear rules.
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • Other game fish: Statewide minimum size/daily limit.

Nemah River, Middle (Pacific County):

• From the mouth to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) decommissioned bridge on the Middle Nemah A-Line Road:
  • Dec. 1–March 31:
    • All species: Selective gear rules.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
• From the DNR decommissioned bridge on the Middle Nemah A-Line Road upstream:
  • Dec. 1–March 31:
    • All species: Closed.

Nemah River, North (Pacific County):

• From Highway 101 Bridge to the fishing boundary sign (approximately 210 feet above the Nemah Hatchery Bridge):
  • Dec. 1–March 31:
    • All species: Selective gear rules.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
• From the Nemah Hatchery Dam to N-700 Road (46°28.58N, 123°48.54W):
  • Dec. 1–March 31:
    • All species: Selective gear rules.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
• From N-700 Road (46°28.58N, 123°48.54W) to Cruiser Creek:
  • Dec. 1–March 31:
    • All species: Closed.

Nemah River, South (Pacific County), from mouth (Lynn Point, 117 degrees true to opposite shore) upstream:

• Dec. 1–March 31:
  • All species: Selective gear rules.
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.

North River (Grays Harbor/Pacific County):

• From Highway 105 Bridge to Fall River:
  • Dec. 1–March 31:
    • All species: Selective gear rules.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
    • Other game fish: Statewide minimum size/daily limit.
• From Fall River to Raimie Creek:
  • Dec. 1–Feb. 28:
    • All species: Closed.

Palix River, including all forks (Pacific County): 

• From Highway 101 Bridge to the mouth of the Middle Fork:
  • Dec. 1–March 31:
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
• From the confluence with the Middle Fork upstream (all forks, including South Fork Palix and Canon rivers):
  • Dec. 16–March 31:
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.

Salmon Creek (Pacific and Wahkiakum counties):

• Dec. 1–March 31:
  • All species: Selective gear rules.
  • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • Other game fish: Statewide minimum size/daily limit.

Smith Creek (Pacific County):

• From mouth to Highway 101 Bridge:
  • Dec. 1–March 31:
    • All species: Selective gear rules.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
    • Other game fish: Statewide minimum size/daily limit.
• From Highway 101 Bridge upstream:
  • Dec. 1–Feb. 28:
    • All species: Closed.

Willapa River (Pacific County):

• From mouth (city of South Bend boat launch) to the WDFW access site at the mouth of Ward and Wilson creeks:
  • Dec. 1–Jan. 31:
    • All species: Anti-snagging rule. Single-point barbless hooks required. Night closure.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
    • Other game fish: Statewide minimum size/daily limit.
  • Feb. 1–March 31:
    • All species: Selective gear rules.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
    • Other game fish: Statewide minimum size/daily limit.
• From the WDFW access site at Ward and Wilson creeks to the Highway 6 Bridge near the town of Lebam:
  • Dec. 1–Jan. 31:
    • All species: Anti-snagging rule. Single-point barbless hooks required. Night closure.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
  • Feb. 1–March 31:
    • All species: Selective gear rules.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.

Willapa River, South Fork (Pacific County):

• From mouth to 400 feet downstream of falls/fish ladder in Sec. 6, T13N, R8W:
  • Dec. 1–March 31:
    • All species: Selective gear rules.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
    • Other game fish: Statewide minimum size/daily limit.
• From falls/fish ladder in Sec. 6, T13N, R8W, to Pehl Road:
  • Dec. 1–March 31:
    • All Species: Selective gear rules.
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
    • Other game fish: Statewide minimum size/daily limit.
• From Pehl Road upstream:
  • Dec. 1–March 31:
    • Trout: Statewide minimum size/daily limit, except release cutthroat and wild rainbow.
    • Other game fish: Statewide minimum size/daily limit.

Reason for action: These rule changes implement permanent rules adopted by the Washington Fish and Wildlife commission on Nov. 14. 

Additional information: 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 2025–26 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for current regulations. Download the Fish Washington® mobile app to stay up to date on the go.

Information contact: Coastal Region, TeamMontesano@dfw.wa.gov, 360-249-4628.