WSR 26-05-037
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 26-21—Filed February 11, 2026, 2:43 p.m., effective February 16, 2026]
Effective Date of Rule: February 16, 2026.
Purpose: This emergency rule opens white sturgeon retention in the Columbia River from Bonneville Dam to John Day Dam for one day and maintains previously announced Columbia River sturgeon retention closures.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-316-01000D; 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 rule opens one recreational sturgeon retention day in Bonneville Pool and The Dalles Pool and maintains the previously adopted John Day Pool recreational sturgeon retention closure. 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 hearing on February 11, 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 11, 2026.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-316-01000ESturgeon—Areas, seasons, limits and unlawful acts.
Effective February 16 through April 30, 2026, the provisions of WAC 220-316-010 regarding white sturgeon retention seasons from Bonneville Dam to John Day 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:
(a) February 16, 2026: It is permissible to retain white sturgeon: Daily limit 1. Minimum fork length 38 inches. Maximum fork length 54 inches.
(b) February 17 through April 30, 2026: 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 16, 2026: It is permissible to retain white sturgeon: Daily limit 1. Minimum fork length 43 inches. Maximum fork length 54 inches.
(b) February 17 through April 30, 2026: White sturgeon: Closed to retention. Catch and release fishing only.
REPEALER
The following section of Washington Administrative Code is repealed, effective February 16, 2026:
WAC 220-316-01000D | Sturgeon—Areas, seasons, limits and unlawful acts. (Order 26-07) |