WSR 26-07-007
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 26-36—Filed March 5, 2026, 4:06 p.m., effective March 16, 2026]
Effective Date of Rule: March 16, 2026.
Purpose: Reduces the adult daily salmon limit in the Wind River.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-030.
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: The preseason forecast of spring Chinook returning to the Wind River (6,054 adults) necessitates a reduced adult salmon daily limit to provide spring Chinook angling opportunity and help ensure the broodstock collection goal at Carson National Fish Hatchery is achieved. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: March 5, 2026.
Amy H. Windrope
for Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-03000KFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Southwest.
Effective March 16, 2026, until further notice, the provisions of WAC 220-312-030 regarding the Wind River salmon and steelhead seasons shall be modified during times and as described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-030 not addressed herein remain in effect unless otherwise amended by emergency rule:
Wind River (Skamania Co.): From the boundary line markers at mouth to 400 feet downstream of Shipherd Falls fish ladder.
Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit is 6, no more than 2 adults may be retained of which no more than 1 may be an adult Chinook. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and hatchery coho.