WSR 26-15-015
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 26-123—Filed July 6, 2026, 3:16 p.m., effective July 7, 2026]
Effective Date of Rule: July 7, 2026.
Purpose: This emergency rule sets temporary fishing closures in a portion of Skagit River.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-312-04000E; and 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 rule is necessary to set temporary fishing closures in a portion of Skagit River to avoid gear conflicts during scheduled treaty fisheries. Outside of these temporary closures, this rule maintains previously announced sockeye salmon fisheries. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: July 6, 2026.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-04000FFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Effective July 7, through July 31, 2026, the following provisions of WAC 220-312-040 and 220-220-160 regarding salmon seasons, game fish seasons, and Dolly Varden/bull trout rules for the Skagit River from the Highway 536 Bridge (Memorial Highway Bridge) in Mount Vernon to the Baker River shall be modified as described in this section. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-040 and 220-220-160 not addressed in this section, or unless otherwise amended by emergency rule remain in effect:
(1) From the Highway 536 Bridge (Memorial Highway Bridge) in Mount Vernon to Gilligan Creek:
(a) Salmon:
(i) Daily limit 4. Release all salmon other than sockeye.
(ii) Night Closure in effect.
(iii) Two-pole fishing is allowed with Two-pole endorsement.
(iv) Selective gear rules not in effect for salmon.
(b) Dolly Varden/bull trout: Release Dolly Varden/bull trout.
(2) From Gilligan Creek to the Dalles Bridge in Concrete:
(a) July 7 through July 8: All species closed.
(b) July 9 through July 12:
(i) Salmon:
(A) Daily limit 4. Release all salmon other than sockeye.
(B) Night Closure in effect.
(C) Two-pole fishing is allowed with Two-pole endorsement.
(D) Selective gear rules not in effect for salmon.
(ii) Dolly Varden/bull trout: Release Dolly Varden/bull trout.
(c) July 13 through 15: All species closed.
(d) July 16 through July 31:
(i) Salmon:
(A) Daily limit 4. Release all salmon other than sockeye.
(B) Night Closure in effect.
(C) Two-pole fishing is allowed with Two-pole endorsement.
(D) Selective gear rules not in effect for salmon.
(ii) Dolly Varden/bull trout: Release Dolly Varden/bull trout.
(3) From the Dalles Bridge in Concrete to the Baker River:
(a) July 7 through July 8: All species closed.
(b) July 13 through July 15: All species closed.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective July 7, 2026:
WAC 220-312-04000E | Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound. (26-104) |