WSR 25-17-043
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 25-185—Filed August 14, 2025, 9:11 a.m., effective August 15, 2025]
Effective Date of Rule: August 15, 2025.
Purpose: This emergency rule implements a stationary gear restriction for salmon fishing in Samish River from the mouth to the yellow marker on the wingwall 1,000 feet upstream of the mouth.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-040.
Under RCW
34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.
Reasons for this Finding: This rule implements a stationary gear restriction in Samish River. This rule is necessary to help eliminate snagging of salmon in Samish River. New gear rules requiring use of nothing more than a swivel, hook with 1/2 inch or less gap, and eggs were implemented this year in an effort to stem snagging that has become commonplace in this fishery. Stationary gear rules were not anticipated to be necessary with these new gear restrictions. However, some anglers are using large and heavy swivels of a size not needed for salmon angling, other than to act as weights that aid in snagging, necessitating the stationary gear rule to be put in place. There is insufficient time to adopt permanent rules.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: August 14, 2025.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-04000BFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Effective August 15 through September 30, 2025, the provisions of WAC 220-312-040 regarding recreational salmon seasons for Samish river, from the mouth to the yellow marker on the wingwall approximately 1,000 feet upstream from the mouth, shall be modified as described in this section. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-040 not addressed in this section, or unless otherwise amended by emergency rule, remain in effect:
Samish River, from the mouth (Bayview-Edison Road Bridge) to the yellow marker on the wingwall approximately 1,000 feet upstream from the mouth:
Salmon:
(a) August 15 through September 5;
(i) Daily limit 2.
(ii) Release chum, pink, and wild coho.
(iii) Eggs for bait only.
(iv) May not have any weight attached or molded directly to the hook such as twitching jigs, swim jigs, or lead headed casting jigs. Other than a swivel, anglers may not add any weight to their line.
(v) Only one single-point hook allowed. Maximum hook gap 1/2 inch from point to shank.
(vi) Anglers may only retain fish hooked inside the mouth.
(vii) Stationary gear restriction.
(b) September 6;
(i) Open for youth fishing only.
(ii) Daily limit 2.
(iii) Release chum, pink, and wild coho.
(iv) Eggs for bait only.
(v) May not have any weight attached or molded directly to the hook such as twitching jigs, swim jigs, or lead headed casting jigs. Other than a swivel, anglers may not add any weight to their line.
(vi) Only one single-point hook allowed. Maximum hook gap 1/2 inch from point to shank.
(vii) Anglers may only retain fish hooked inside the mouth.
(viii) Stationary gear restriction.
(c) September 7 through 13;
(i) Daily limit 2.
(ii) Release chum, pink, and wild coho.
(iii) Eggs for bait only.
(iv) May not have any weight attached or molded directly to the hook such as twitching jigs, swim jigs, or lead headed casting jigs. Other than a swivel, anglers may not add any weight to their line.
(v) Only one single-point hook allowed. Maximum hook gap 1/2 inch from point to shank.
(vi) Anglers may only retain fish hooked inside the mouth.
(vii) Stationary gear restriction.
(d) September 14;
(i) Open for Active and Veteran Military only.
(ii) Daily limit 2.
(iii) Release chum, pink, and wild coho.
(iv) Eggs for bait only.
(v) May not have any weight attached or molded directly to the hook such as twitching jigs, swim jigs, or lead headed casting jigs. Other than a swivel, anglers may not add any weight to their line.
(vi) Only one single-point hook allowed. Maximum hook gap 1/2 inch from point to shank.
(vii) Anglers may only retain fish hooked inside the mouth.
(viii) Stationary gear restriction.
(e) September 15 through September 30;
(i) Daily limit 2.
(ii) Release chum, pink, and wild coho.
(iii) Eggs for bait only.
(iv) May not have any weight attached or molded directly to the hook such as twitching jigs, swim jigs, or lead headed casting jigs. Other than a swivel, anglers may not add any weight to their line.
(v) Only one single-point hook allowed. Maximum hook gap 1/2 inch from point to shank.
(vi) Anglers may only retain fish hooked inside the mouth.
(vii) Stationary gear restriction.