WSR 26-01-141
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 25-306—Filed December 18, 2025, 2:22 p.m., effective December 24, 2025]
Effective Date of Rule: December 24, 2025.
Purpose: This emergency rule opens recreational salmon retention and game fish catch-and-release fishing in Nisqually River.
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 salmon retention and game fish catch-and-release fishing in the lower Nisqually River. Projections based on recent stream surveys show that chum salmon are returning at abundance sufficient to support fishery openings for both the Washington department of fish and wildlife and the Nisqually Tribe, while meeting the escapement goal for the basin. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: December 18, 2025.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-04000VFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Effective December 24, 2025, through January 31, 2026, recreational fishing seasons for Nisqually River are 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:
Nisqually River, from the mouth to Clear Creek (lat. 47.034918, long. -122.676735):
(a) All species:
(i) Open Wednesdays through Saturdays. Closed Sundays through Tuesdays.
(ii) Night Closure.
(iii) Anti-snagging rule, except single-point barbless hooks required.
(b) Salmon:
(i) Daily limit 6 including no more than 2 adults.
(ii) Release wild Chinook and wild coho.
(c) Game fish: Catch-and-release.