WSR 26-13-045
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 26-103—Filed June 11, 2026, 8:34 a.m., effective June 16, 2026]
Effective Date of Rule: June 16, 2026.
Purpose: This emergency rule opens sockeye retention and closes Dolly Varden/bull trout retention 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 and close retention of Dolly Varden/bull trout in the Skagit River from the Highway 536 bridge (Memorial Highway Bridge) in Mount Vernon to the Dalles Bridge in Concrete. Harvestable numbers of sockeye salmon are forecast to return to the Baker system. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: June 11, 2026.
Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-04000DFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Effective June 16 through July 31, 2026, the following provisions of WAC 220-312-040 and 220-220-160 regarding salmon seasons and Dolly Varden/bull trout rules for the Skagit River from the Highway 536 Bridge (Memorial Highway Bridge) in Mount Vernon to the Dalles Bridge in Concrete shall be modified as described in this section. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-040 not addressed in this section, or unless otherwise amended by emergency rule remain in effect:
Skagit River (Skagit Co.) from the Highway 536 Bridge (Memorial Highway Bridge) in Mount Vernon to the Dalles Bridge in Concrete;
(a) Salmon:
(i) Daily limit 4. Release all salmon other than sockeye.
(ii) Night Closure in effect.
(iii) Two-pole fishing is allowed with Two-pole endorsement.
(b) Dolly Varden/bull trout: Release Dolly Varden/bull trout.