United States/
Washington

Fishing in Washington

Q: 📜 What are the fishing regulations in Washington, United States?

Fishing regulations in Washington, United States vary by region, species, and season. Rules may include size limits, bag limits, licensing requirements, and protected areas. Because regulations are managed locally and can change throughout the year, it's important to check the latest official guidance before fishing. To stay up to date and avoid guesswork, use the Fishbrain app to explore local rules, discover popular waters, and see what other anglers are catching across United States.

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Biggest catches in Washington

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Latest Washington fishing reports

Kokanee salmon

Palmer Lake

21 in · 3 lb 3 oz

Kelp greenling

Grays Harbor County Coast

14 in · 2 lb 2 oz

Smallmouth bass

Palmer Lake

11 in · 1 lb 2 oz

Kokanee salmon

Conconully Lake

length · weight

Kokanee salmon

Conconully Reservoir

length · weight

Rainbow trout

Rufus Woods Lake

32 in · 6 lb 3 oz

Rainbow trout

Lacamas Lake

length · weight

Burbot

Rufus Woods Lake

28 in · 4 lb

Rainbow trout

Bear Lake

20 in · 3 lb

Largemouth bass

Lake Terrell

length · weight

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Fishing regulations in Washington

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Washington can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Largemouth bass as of March 31st, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.

Select species

Largemouth bass

Seasons

Open

Bag limit

Memorable

1 > 17

Max size

12"

Measurement

Total Length

No min. size in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Only largemouth bass less than 12" may be retained, except 1 over 17" may be retained. Daily limit 5. No size restriction/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds.

For more information please see State of Washington Fishing Regulations

Very good Catch, Clean, Cook Largemouth Bass by BlueGabe

Micropterus nigricans

DESCHUTES RIVER

from Old Hwy. 99 Bridge upstream CRC (728)

All species
Selective gear rules.
Trout
Year-round
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Release cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout.
Other game fish
Year-round
Statewide min. size/daily limit.
Salmon
Year-round
Min. size 12". Daily limit 6 including no more than 2 adults. Release coho.

MCALLISTER CREEK

CRC (770)

Trout
Sat. before Memorial Day-Nov. 15
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Release cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout.
Other game fish
Sat. before Memorial Day-Nov. 15
Statewide min. size/daily limit.
Salmon
July 1-Nov. 15
Min. size 12". Daily limit 6 including no more than 2 adults. Release chum, wild coho, and wild Chinook.

MCLANE CREEK

from mouth (a line 100' upstream of and parallel to the south bridge on Hwy. 101) upstream

All species
Night closure. Selective gear rules.
Trout
Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Release cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout.
Other game fish
Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

PERRY CREEK

from mouth to falls

All species
Selective gear rules.
Trout
Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Release cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout.
Other game fish
Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

WOODARD CREEK

All species
Selective gear rules.
Trout
Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout: min. size 14".
Other game fish
Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

WOODLAND CREEK

All species
Selective gear rules.
Trout
Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Release cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout.
Other game fish
Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

BLACK LAKE

Crappie
Year-round
Min. size 9". Daily limit 10.
Other game fish
Year-round
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

CAPITOL LAKE

All species
CLOSED WATERS.

CLEAR LAKE

All game fish
4th Sat. in Apr.-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

HICKS LAKE

All game fish
4th Sat. in Apr.-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

LOIS LAKE

Smallmouth bass
Year-round
No min. size. Daily limit 15. Only 1 over 14" may be retained.
Largemouth bass
Year-round
No min. size. Daily limit 10. Max. size 12", except 1 over 17" may be retained.
Channel catfish
Year-round
No min. size. Daily limit 10.
Walleye
Year-round
No min. size. Daily limit 16. Only 1 over 22" may be retained.
Other game fish
Year-round
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

LONG'S POND

All species
Two-Pole not allowed. Open for juvenile anglers, senior anglers and anglers with a disability who possess a designated harvester companion card only.
All game fish
Year-round
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

MUNN LAKE

All species
Selective gear rules. Two-Pole not allowed. Internal combustion motors prohibited.
All game fish
Year-round
Catch-and-release.

SUMMIT LAKE

All game fish
4th Sat. in Apr.-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

SUSAN LAKE

All species
Selective gear rules.
All game fish
Year-round
Catch-and-release.

BLACK RIVER

from mouth to bridge on 128th Ave. SW (west of Littlerock) CRC (706)

All species
Anti-snagging rule. Night closure. Barbless hooks required.
Trout
Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout: min. size 14".
Other game fish
Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.
Salmon
Oct. 1-Nov. 30
Min. size 12". Daily limit 6 including no more than 2 adults. Release adult Chinook.
Dec. 1-Dec. 31
Min. size 12". Daily limit 6 including no more than 1 adult. Release Chinook.

KENNEDY CREEK

from Hwy. 101 Bridge upstream CRC (754)

All game fish
Sat. before Memorial Day-Sept. 30
Selective gear rules.
Trout
Sat. before Memorial Day-Sept. 30
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Release cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout.
Other game fish
Sat. before Memorial Day-Sept. 30
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

SCHNEIDER CREEK

from mouth to falls

All species
Selective gear rules.
Trout
Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Release cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout.
Other game fish
Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

NISQUALLY RIVER

from mouth to the military tank crossing bridge (located 1 mile upstream of mouth of Muck Creek) CRC (786)

All species
Night closure. Barbless hooks required. Anti-snagging rule.
Aug. 6-Aug. 30
CLOSED to all fishing Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays; and Aug. 31.
Sept. 3-Nov. 15
CLOSED to all fishing Sundays and Mondays.
Trout
July 1-Nov. 15
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Release cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout.
Other game fish
July 1-Nov. 15
Statewide min. size/daily limit.
Salmon
July 1-Nov. 15
Min. size 12". Daily limit 6 including no more than 2 adults. Release wild Chinook, wild coho, and chum.

from the military tank crossing bridge (located 1 mile upstream of mouth of Muck Creek, river mile 12) to 400' below LaGrande Powerhouse CRC (786)

All species
Selective gear rules.
Trout
July 1-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Release cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout.
Other game fish
July 1-Oct. 31
Statewide min. size/daily limit.

SKOOKUMCHUCK RIVER

from mouth to 100' below outlet of TransAlta WDFW steelhead rearing pond located at the base of Skookumchuck Dam CRC (333)

All species
Aug. 16-Nov. 30
Night closure. Single-point barbless hooks required.
Trout
Sat. before Memorial Day-Apr. 30
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout: min. size 14".
Other game fish
Sat. before Memorial Day-Apr. 30
Statewide min. size/daily limit.
Salmon
Oct. 16-Nov. 30
Min. size 12". Daily limit 6 including no more than 2 adults. Release adult Chinook.
Dec. 1-Dec. 31
Min. size 12". Daily limit 6 including no more than 1 adult. Release Chinook.

Regulations for

47°02′32.7″N 122°53′35.1″W

Regulations in the map

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FAQ about Washington fishing

Fishing regulations in Washington, United States vary by location, species, and season. Rules may include size limits, bag limits, licensing requirements, and protected areas. Because regulations are managed locally and can change throughout the year, it's important to check the latest official guidance before fishing.

To stay up to date and avoid guesswork, use the to explore local rules, discover popular waters, and see what other anglers are catching across United States.

Some of the most popular species anglers target in Washington, United States include Largemouth bass, Bluegill, and Smallmouth bass. The best species often depend on season, water type, and location within the country.

For more detailed, real-time insights, the shows which species are being caught near you and what baits are working best across United States.

Some of the most popular fishing spots in Washington, United States include Lake Washington, Sequalitchew Lake, and Lake Wallula. Anglers across the country fish a wide range of waters, with opportunities varying by region and season.

With the , you can explore local hotspots anywhere in United States, see recent catches, and find out what's working near you.

Fishing in Washington

Top fishing waters in Washington

About Washington fishing

Washington fishing license

Top fish species caught in Washington

Biggest catches in Washington

State records of caught fish in Washington

Latest Washington fishing reports

Fishing regulations in Washington

DESCHUTES RIVER

from Old Hwy. 99 Bridge upstream CRC (728)

MCALLISTER CREEK

CRC (770)

MCLANE CREEK

from mouth (a line 100' upstream of and parallel to the south bridge on Hwy. 101) upstream

PERRY CREEK

from mouth to falls

WOODARD CREEK

WOODLAND CREEK

BLACK LAKE

CAPITOL LAKE

CLEAR LAKE

HICKS LAKE

LOIS LAKE

LONG'S POND

MUNN LAKE

SUMMIT LAKE

SUSAN LAKE

BLACK RIVER

from mouth to bridge on 128th Ave. SW (west of Littlerock) CRC (706)

KENNEDY CREEK

from Hwy. 101 Bridge upstream CRC (754)

SCHNEIDER CREEK

from mouth to falls

NISQUALLY RIVER

from mouth to the military tank crossing bridge (located 1 mile upstream of mouth of Muck Creek) CRC (786)

from the military tank crossing bridge (located 1 mile upstream of mouth of Muck Creek, river mile 12) to 400' below LaGrande Powerhouse CRC (786)

SKOOKUMCHUCK RIVER

from mouth to 100' below outlet of TransAlta WDFW steelhead rearing pond located at the base of Skookumchuck Dam CRC (333)

Regulations for

FAQ about Washington fishing