WDFW announces 2025-26 coastal steelhead regulations


OLYMPIA, WA – 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 Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.