WSR 25-21-089
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 25-256—Filed October 16, 2025, 1:43 p.m., effective October 16, 2025, 1:43 p.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: Amends commercial salmon fishing rules for Willapa Bay.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-354-250.
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 the commercial fishery in Willapa Bay Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Areas 2T, 2N, and 2R on September 17, 2025. The Willapa Bay commercial fishery has harvested 6,414 natural origin coho, or 80.8 percent of the preseason prediction and 5,145 chum, or 41.6 percent of the preseason prediction, through this statistical week 42. The current in-season coho update model predicts a runsize of 39,244 natural origin and 96,520 hatchery origin coho. These estimates are above preseason expected returns for natural and hatchery coho returning to the Willapa Bay basin.
Given the available coho that are present in Willapa Bay this week, additional fishing time is being offered in Areas 2T, 2N, and 2R.
Managers will continue to assess the fishery each opener and make any changes if warranted. All other rules remain in effect. There is insufficient time to adopt permanent rule.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: October 16, 2025.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-354-25000MWillapa Bay salmon fall fishery.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-354-250, the following seasons for Willapa Bay commercial salmon areas 2T, 2N, and 2R on October 17, 2025, shall be modified as described in this section. All other provisions of WAC 220-354-250, not contained in this section remain in effect unless otherwise altered by emergency rule:
Gillnet gear may be used to fish for coho salmon, chum salmon, and adipose clipped Chinook salmon marked with a clipped adipose fin with a healed scar, during dates and times and in areas listed in the table below:
| Area | Time | Date | Maximum Mesh Size | |
| 2T, 2N, and 2R | 7:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. | October 17, 2025 | 6.5" | |