WSR 26-09-067
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 26-55—Filed April 14, 2026, 8:08 a.m., effective April 20, 2026]
Effective Date of Rule: April 20, 2026.
Purpose: This emergency rule opens hatchery spring Chinook seasons in a portion of Skagit River.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: 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 open salmon seasons in the Skagit River as agreed to with comanagers during the 2026 North of Falcon proceedings. Harvestable numbers of hatchery spring Chinook are forecast to return to Marblemount Hatchery. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: April 14, 2026.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-04000YFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Effective April 20 through May 15, 2026, the following provisions of WAC 220-312-040 and WAC 220-220-160 regarding salmon seasons and two-pole fishing for the Skagit River from the Highway 536 bridge in Mt. Vernon to Gilligan Creek, shall be as described in this section. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-040 and WAC 220-220-160 not addressed in this section, or unless otherwise amended by emergency rule remain in effect:
Skagit River (Skagit Co.); from the Highway 536 (Memorial Hwy.) bridge in Mt. Vernon to Gilligan Creek:
(a) Salmon;
(i) Daily limit 2. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.
(ii) Night Closure in effect.
(iii) Anglers who possess a valid two-pole endorsement may fish with two lines.
(b) All species other than salmon are closed to fishing for or retaining.
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.