PDFWAC 220-312-010

Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—General rules.

The following provisions and definitions apply to this section through WAC 220-312-060.
(1) It is unlawful to fish for, take, or possess salmon from freshwater streams and lakes that are not specifically listed as open for salmon fishing.
(2) Waters listed as open during a specific date range that do not reference a particular species are open during the date range for game fish only.
(3) All limits are daily limits, unless otherwise provided.
(4) Beaver ponds located within or adjoining streams that are listed as open to trout and other game fish follow the same rules as the stream, except as otherwise provided.
(5) It is permissible to retain up to two hatchery steelhead in waters where the season is open for game fish or salmon in WAC 220-312-020 through 220-312-060, unless explicitly listed as closed to hatchery steelhead in WAC 220-312-020 through 220-312-060.
(6) A "float" or "bobber" means a hookless, floating device that is attached to or slides along the mainline or leader above the hook(s) for the purpose of suspending hook(s) (which are not part of the bait, lure, or fly) off the bottom of the stream or lake and visually signal (from the surface of the water) a fish's strike at the hook(s).
(7) "Lead jig" means a lure consisting of a hook permanently or temporarily attached directly to a lead weight by any method.
(8) "Lead weight" means material constructed of lead and applied to a fishing line or lure and designed to help keep the hook, bait, or lure underwater.
(9) "Unmarked salmon" means salmon without either a clipped ventral fin or a clipped adipose fin as evidenced by a healed scar.
(10) Kokanee/sockeye definition for Lake Washington and the Lake Washington Ship Canal in King County: Kokanee and sockeye less than fifteen inches in length are considered kokanee and kokanee and sockeye fifteen inches and over in length are considered sockeye salmon.
(11)(a) A violation of this section through WAC 220-312-060 is an infraction, punishable under RCW 77.15.160, unless the person has harvested fish. If the person has harvested fish, the violation is punishable under RCW 77.15.380 Unlawful recreational fishing in the second degree—Penalty, unless the fish are taken in the amounts or manner to constitute a violation of RCW 77.15.370 Unlawful recreational fishing in the first degree—Penalty.
(b) Freshwater terminal gear restrictions:
(i) Terminal gear restrictions apply to all species, including salmon, unless otherwise provided.
(ii) In all waters with freshwater terminal gear restrictions including, but not limited to, night closures, selective gear rules, whitefish gear rules, single-point barbless hooks required, fly-fishing only, and anti-snagging rules, violation of the gear rules is an infraction, punishable under RCW 77.15.160.
(iii) It is unlawful to possess fish taken with gear in violation of the freshwater terminal gear restrictions. Possession of fish while using gear in violation of the freshwater terminal gear restrictions is a rebuttable presumption that the fish were taken with such gear. Possession of such fish is punishable under RCW 77.15.380 Unlawful recreational fishing in the second degree—Penalty, unless the fish are taken in the amounts or manner to constitute a violation of RCW 77.15.370 Unlawful recreational fishing in the first degree—Penalty.
(12) For sturgeon fishing rules, see WAC 220-316-010 Sturgeon—Areas, seasons, limits and unlawful acts.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047. WSR 20-03-130 (Order 20-09), § 220-312-010, filed 1/17/20, effective 2/17/20. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, and 77.12.047. WSR 18-06-045 (Order 18-30), § 220-312-010, filed 3/1/18, effective 4/1/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, and 77.12.047. WSR 17-05-112 (Order 17-04), amended and recodified as § 220-312-010, filed 2/15/17, effective 3/18/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012 and 77.12.047. WSR 16-06-073 (Order 16-30), § 220-310-175, filed 2/26/16, effective 7/1/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, and 77.12.047. WSR 15-13-081 (Order 15-177), § 220-310-175, filed 6/12/15, effective 7/13/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.055, and 77.12.047. WSR 15-06-065 and 15-06-006 (Order 15-033), § 220-310-175, filed 3/4/15 and 2/20/15, effective 7/1/15; WSR 14-04-120 (Order 14-26), § 220-310-175, filed 2/4/14, effective 3/7/14.]