WSR 26-12-010
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 26-82—Filed May 21, 2026, 4:17 p.m., effective May 25, 2026]
Effective Date of Rule: May 25, 2026.
Purpose: This emergency rule opens one day of hatchery Chinook fishing below Little Goose Dam on the Snake River.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-050.
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: Current run size and projected harvest indicate there is available quota for one additional day of fishing below Little Goose Dam. Harvest opportunity on the Snake River is based on the Washington department of fish and wildlife (WDFW) Commission Policy C-3630. The U.S. v. Oregon (2018-2027) Management Agreement provides Endangered Species Act (ESA) coverage for this fishery.
WDFW will monitor spring Chinook returns throughout the season and may close the fishery at any time due to harvest levels, ESA impacts, or in-season run adjustments.
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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: May 21, 2026.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-05000SFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Eastside.
Effective May 25, 2026, the following provisions of WAC 220-312-050, regarding salmon seasons in the Snake River shall be open as described in this section. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-050 remain in effect unless modified by emergency rule:
Snake River from Texas Rapids boat launch (located on the south side of the river upstream of the mouth of Tucannon River) to the fishing restriction boundary below Little Goose Dam and including the rock and concrete area between the juvenile bypass return pipe and little Goose Dam along the shoreline of the facility (including the walkway area locally known as "the Wall" in front of the juvenile collection facility):
Salmon:
(a) Open May 25, 2026, only.
(b) Daily limit 4, of which up to 2 adults may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.
(c) Night Closure.
(d) Barbless hooks required.
(e) Salmon may not be removed from the water unless retained as part of the daily limit.
Reviser's note: The spelling 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. 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.