Travel & Places Fly Fishing

Salmon Fishing Regulations in Washington

By Travel & Places Last updated Saturday, April/06/2024

Types of Salmon

Different types of salmon species can be found in Washington's waters.salmon fillet image by Mitarart from Fotolia.com

You can fish for salmon in bodies of freshwater as well as marine waters in the state of Washington. Five salmon species exist in the state including Chinook, coho or Atlantic, sockeye, chum and pink. Check the site-specific opening seasons for salmon fishing in your local area before casting. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife must close some recreational fisheries in certain areas to ensure that enough salmon return to spawn.

There are restrictions when it comes to fishing equipment used for catching salmon in Washington. You may not fish in saltwater with underwater spearfishing gear. Other outlawed gear includes bow and arrow or spear, a gaff hook, a herring rake, smelt rake and a crossbow, according to the 2009-2010 Washington Sport Fishing Rules Pamphlet.

For all landlocked salmon such as Atlantic, Chinook and coho, the minimum size is 8 inches with a daily limit of two when fishing in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds. In lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, there is no minimum size and the daily limit is five, according to the 2009-2010 Washington Sport Fishing Rules Pamphlet. For salmon fishing in marine waters, there is a daily limit of two for fresh salmon and an additional 40 lbs. of salmon may be kept or possessed in frozen form. Site specific rules may apply to your local fishing grounds.

Salmon anglers in Washington are required to obtain a state-issued fishing license. Everyone age 15 and up must possess a fishing license to fish for all game fish statewide. You need a Social Security number and proof of residency to qualify for a resident fishing license. Types of fishing licenses are: combination license (freshwater and saltwater), freshwater license and saltwater license.

A catch record card (CRC) is required by the state in addition to a fishing license if you fish for certain types of game fish. CRC serves to track how many salmon you harvest. Other types of fish tracked by CRC are steelhead, sturgeon, halibut and Puget Sound Dungeness crab. You must have the CRC with you at all times when fishing for these types of game fish.