WSR 26-06-053
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 26-31—Filed February 25, 2026, 3:04 p.m., effective February 26, 2026]
Effective Date of Rule: February 26, 2026.
Purpose: This emergency rule opens white sturgeon retention in the Columbia River from The Dalles Dam to John Day Dam for two days and maintains previously announced Columbia River sturgeon retention closures.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-316-01000F; and amending WAC 220-316-010.
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 opens one recreational sturgeon retention day in The Dalles Pool on March 3, 2026, maintains the previously adopted recreational sturgeon retention day in The Dalles Pool on February 26, 2026, and maintains the previously adopted Bonneville Pool and John Day Pool recreational sturgeon retention closures. Catch projections indicate The Dalles Pool retention fishery can support an additional day of retention. These populations are managed under sustainable harvest guidelines. This action is consistent with decisions made by the states of Washington and Oregon during the Columbia River Compact hearings on February 19, and February 25, 2026. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: February 25, 2026.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-316-01000GSturgeon—Areas, seasons, limits and unlawful acts.
Effective February 26 through April 30, 2026, the provisions of WAC 220-316-010 regarding white sturgeon retention seasons from Bonneville Dam to McNary Dam are modified as listed in this section. All other provisions of WAC 220-316-010 not addressed in this section remain in effect unless otherwise amended by emergency rule:
(1) From Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam, including adjacent tributaries:
White sturgeon: Closed to retention. Catch and release fishing only.
(2) From The Dalles Dam upstream to John Day Dam, including adjacent tributaries:
(a) February 26, 2026: It is permissible to retain white sturgeon: Daily limit 1. Minimum fork length 43 inches. Maximum fork length 54 inches.
(b) February 27 through March 2, 2026: White sturgeon: Closed to retention. Catch and release fishing only.
(c) March 3, 2026: It is permissible to retain white sturgeon: Daily limit 1. Minimum fork length 43 inches. Maximum fork length 54 inches.
(d) March 4 through April 30, 2026: White sturgeon: Closed to retention. Catch and release fishing only.
(3) From John Day Dam to McNary Dam, including adjacent tributaries:
White sturgeon: Closed to retention. Catch and release fishing only.
REPEALER
The following section of Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective February 26, 2026:
WAC 220-316-01000F | Sturgeon—Areas, seasons, limits and unlawful acts. (Order 26-27) |