WSR 26-08-025
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 26-42—Filed March 23, 2026, 3:22 p.m., effective April 1, 2026]
Effective Date of Rule: April 1, 2026.
Purpose: This emergency rule alters salmon rules and seasons in Klickitat 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: This emergency rule is needed to adjust recreational salmon seasons for Klickitat River. Due to ongoing construction at Klickitat Salmon Hatchery (KSH), sport fishery managers are implementing a conservative approach to the spring Chinook season to help support adult broodstock collection. In 2026, the Lyle Falls adult trap will serve as the primary location for broodstock collection. The fish ladder at KSH will not be operational, although a supplemental adult trap will be operated at KSH to further support broodstock collection. A reduced daily limit and closure of the sport fishery below Fisher Hill Bridge during the peak of migration will help to maximize broodstock collection at the Lyle Falls trap. Implementation of a reduced daily limit above Lyle Falls and an area closure immediately below the hatchery will further support trapping at KSH and broodstock collection efforts.
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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 23, 2026.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-03000MFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Southwest.
Effective April 1, 2026, until further notice, the provisions of WAC 220-312-030 regarding Klickitat River recreational salmon and steelhead seasons and daily limits 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:
(1) From the mouth (BNSF Railroad Bridge) to Fisher Hill Bridge:
(a) Salmon and hatchery steelhead: April 1 through May 20, 2026; daily limit is 2 hatchery steelhead or 2 salmon or 1 of each. No more than one adult salmon may be retained. Release wild Chinook. Open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays only.
(b) Salmon: May 21 through June 30, 2026: Closed.
(2) From 400 feet upstream of #5 fishway (i.e. Lyle Falls Fishway) to the Glenwood Highway bridge at the Leidl access area:
Salmon: May 23, 2026, until further notice: Daily limit 6 including no more than 1 adult. Release wild Chinook.
(3) From Glenwood Highway bridge at the Leidl access area upstream to boundary markers below Klickitat Salmon Hatchery:
Salmon: May 23, 2026, until further notice: Closed.
Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.