WSR 26-07-046
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 26-40—Filed March 16, 2026, 7:52 a.m., effective March 16, 2026]
Effective Date of Rule: March 16, 2026.
Purpose: This emergency rule opens hatchery steelhead retention in Salmon Creek (Clark County).
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: This emergency rule is needed to open hatchery steelhead retention for Salmon Creek.
The Salmon Creek Hatchery steelhead program is replacing early returning winter steelhead stocks with local stocks that exhibit a later run timing as a result of the Mitchell Act biological opinion. This provides anglers with additional time to harvest these fish from Salmon Creek.
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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 16, 2026.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-03000LFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Southwest.
Effective immediately, through May 22, 2026, the provisions of WAC 220-312-030 regarding Salmon Creek hatchery steelhead season shall be modified during times and as described in this section. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-030 not addressed in this section remain in effect unless otherwise amended by emergency rule:
Salmon Creek (Clark Co.): From the mouth to the 182nd Avenue Bridge:
Hatchery steelhead daily limit 3; Selective gear rules in effect, except use of barbed hooks is allowed.