THE FOLLOWING IS A WDFW FISHING RULE CHANGE NOTICE
Action: Opens sockeye retention.
Effective dates: One hour before official sunrise July 23 through one hour after official sunset Aug. 31, 2025.
Species affected: Sockeye salmon.
Location: Lake Wenatchee (Chelan County). Catch record card (CRC) 670.
Rules:
- Daily limit four sockeye. Minimum size 12 inches. Release all bull trout, steelhead, and Chinook salmon unharmed and without removing the fish from the water.
- Selective gear rules are in effect. Gear is limited to artificial flies with barbless single-point hooks or lures with barbless single-point hooks. Bait is prohibited. Up to three hooks may be used. Only knotless nets may be used to land fish.
- Two-pole fishing is allowed with a valid two-pole endorsement.
- Night closure in effect.
Reason for action: Based on current sockeye passage analysis at Tumwater Dam and mainstem Columbia River dams, WDFW projects a surplus of harvestable sockeye destined for Lake Wenatchee, well above the natural spawning escapement goal of 23,000 fish.
Additional information: Lake Wenatchee State Park will expand their operating hours to 4:00 a.m. until dusk from July 23–August 6. From Aug. 7–31, park operating hours will return to 6:30 a.m. until dusk.
Vehicles (with or without boats) waiting outside the park before operating hours must pull to the side of the road. Only registered campers are allowed in the park outside of operating hours. For more information, visit the Lake Wenatchee State Park website.
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 2025–2026 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for current regulations. Download the Fish Washington® mobile app to stay up to date on the go.
Information contact: North Central Region: 509-754-4624.
