Wild Chinook Release Required On Washington’s Snake River

THE FOLLOWING IS A RULE CHANGE NOTICE FROM THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

Anglers must release wild adult Chinook in Snake River

Action: Requires release of wild adult Chinook.

Species affected: Chinook salmon.

Location: Snake River.

Specific locations, dates, and salmon rules:

• Lyons Ferry Bubble Fishery: From the red river marker (Marker 28) on the south shore of the Snake River, upstream to the Highway 261 bridge (approximately 1.4 miles):
  • September 17, 2025: Closed.
  • September 18–October 26, 2025:
    • Open Thursday–Sunday each week.
    • Salmon daily limit two adult hatchery Chinook. No daily limit for jack Chinook (wild or hatchery). Minimum size 12 inches. Release all salmon other than Chinook. Barbless hooks required. Closed Monday–Wednesday.
• From the downstream edge of the large power lines crossing the Snake River just upstream of West Evans Road on the south shore (approximately three miles downstream of Clarkston), upstream to the Washington/Idaho state line (top of Catch Record Card Area 648)
• September 17–18, 2025:
  • Open daily.
  • Salmon daily limit three adult Chinook (wild or hatchery), no limit for jack Chinook (wild or hatchery). Minimum size 12 inches. Release all salmon other than Chinook. Barbless hooks required.
• September 19–October 15, 2025:
  • Open daily.
  • Daily limit three adult hatchery Chinook. No limit for jack Chinook (wild or hatchery). Release all salmon other than Chinook. Minimum size 12 inches. Barbless hooks required.
• From the Washington/Idaho state line to the Oregon state line (Catch Record Card Area 650):

• September 17–18, 2025:
  • Open daily.
  • Daily limit three adult Chinook (wild or hatchery), no limit for jack Chinook (wild or hatchery). Minimum size 12 inches. Release all salmon other than Chinook. Barbless hooks required.
• September 19–October 31, 2025:
  • Open daily.
  • Daily limit three adult hatchery Chinook. No limit for jack Chinook (wild or hatchery). Release all salmon other than Chinook. Minimum size 12 inches. Barbless hooks required.

Reason for action: Conversion rates (the ratio of fish passing Bonneville Dam and then entering the Snake River) for Snake River fall Chinook are well below average. Because of these lower conversion rates, the number of wild fish impacts available to the fishery has decreased. By switching to mark selective fisheries, harvest opportunity can be extended while minimizing impacts to wild fish.

Additional information:

• WDFW requires that all Washington licensed anglers cease fishing for Chinook once they have retained their adult daily limit. Adult Chinook are 24 inches in length or larger and jack Chinook are less than 24 inches in length.
• Two-pole permits are not allowed during this fishery.
• When fishing in the Snake River between Washington and Idaho, the holder of a valid Washington fishing license may fish the Snake River where it forms a boundary between the states of Washington and Idaho. Washington licensed anglers are subject to the Washington fishing rules and may not fish from the Idaho shore, including wading, and may not fish sloughs or tributaries on the Idaho side.
• Any angler who fishes on the Snake River or any other water forming a Washington boundary can only utilize the fishing privileges (limits, size restrictions, etc.) of one state’s fishing license at a time. Before utilizing a Washington fishing license or fishing Washington only waters, any fish retained while using another state’s license must be returned to shore before continuing to angle.
• Anglers should correctly identify their catch, as coho salmon and steelhead are also present in the Snake River during this fishery and must be released if retention is not allowed. All salmonids (salmon or steelhead) that are not kept as part of the daily limit cannot be removed from the water and must be immediately released unharmed. All fall Chinook, adults and jacks, must be immediately recorded on a catch record card upon retention when utilizing a Washington fishing license.
• 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.