WSR 25-24-008
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 25-293—Filed November 20, 2025, 9:22 a.m., effective November 22, 2025]
Effective Date of Rule: November 22, 2025.
Purpose: This emergency rule is needed to open game fish seasons in Tokul Creek.
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 emergency rule is necessary to open recreational game fish seasons in Tokul Creek. This early season opener will allow anglers to fish for hatchery steelhead (daily limit two) in Tokul Creek, including upstream of Fish Hatchery Road Bridge. Additional fishing opportunity targeting hatchery steelhead will help minimize hatchery fish straying to natural spawning areas. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: November 20, 2025.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-04000TFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Effective November 22, 2025, through February 15, 2026, provisions of WAC 220-312-040 regarding game fish seasons for Tokul Creek are changed as described in this section. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-040 not addressed in this section, unless otherwise amended by emergency rule remain in effect:
Tokul Creek (King County): From the mouth to the posted boundary marker downstream of the diversion dam:
Game fish:
(a) Open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.;
(b) Closed daily from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.;
(c) Statewide minimum size and daily limits, except cutthroat and wild rainbow trout minimum size 14 inches;
(d) Anti-snagging rule in effect.