Brown Rockfish in Washington
Washington brown rockfish: what may be kept and where to look.
- see pamphletlimit
- 3.94 lbsrecord
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Washington brown rockfish: rule, record, water
Look in vain for a dedicated brown rockfish row in the 2026-27 tables.
Derek Gochanour holds the Washington record at 3.94 lbs, from Westport, Grays Harbor County, 2024. Water-specific rules cover it on 1 water. Scientific name, as WDFW gives it: Sebastes auriculatus.
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- Marine Area 1marine area 1
- Marine Area 2, Marine Area 2-1, Marine Area 2-2marine area 2
- Marine Area 3marine area 3
- Marine Area 4marine area 4
- Marine Area 5marine area 5
- Marine Area 6marine area 6
- Marine Area 7marine area 7
- Marine Area 8-1, Marine Area 8-2marine area 8
- Marine Area 9marine area 9
- Marine Area 10marine area 10
- Marine Area 11marine area 11
- Marine Area 12marine area 12
- Marine Area 13marine area 13
Printed in the 2026-2027 Washington Sport Fishing Rules (WDFW pamphlet, in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027), as posted on eRegulations; read October 31, 2026.
Water-specific brown rockfish rules
The pamphlet's Special Rules mention it on 1 water, under labels such as "rockfish".
Heaviest brown rockfish on the WDFW list
| Listing | Weight | Angler | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown Rockfish | 3.94 lbs | Derek Gochanour | Westport, Grays Harbor County | Sept. 19, 2024 |
| Brown Rockfish (Speargun) | 1.27 lbs | Richard Bethke | Agate Pass, Kitsap County | July 21, 2003 |
WDFW sport fish records, read October 31, 2026; record list.
Relatives of brown rockfish on the record list
- Black Rockfishsaltwater
- Blue Rockfishsaltwater
- Bocacciosaltwater
- Canary Rockfishsaltwater
- China Rockfishsaltwater
- Copper Rockfishsaltwater
- Deacon Rockfishsaltwater
- Greenstripe Rockfishsaltwater
- Quillback Rockfishsaltwater
- Redbanded Rockfishsaltwater
- Silvergray Rockfishsaltwater
- Tiger Rockfishsaltwater
Lakes, rivers and sound close to Brown Rockfish, pictured
Photo: B. Carlson, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Larry Syverson, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Cindy Shebley, CC BY 2.0
What to know before chasing brown rockfish in Washington
What daily limit covers brown rockfish in Washington?
There is no WDFW limit printed for it alone.
When was the Washington brown rockfish record set?
3.94 lbs, from Westport, Grays Harbor County, 2024, by Derek Gochanour.
Which Washington pages point to brown rockfish?
None of the lake, river or marine pages include it so far.
Does WDFW plant brown rockfish?
WDFW plant rows do not include it.
Where is the brown rockfish rule different in Washington?
Yes, 1 water; see the Special Rules page.
Does Washington close the brown rockfish season?
The pamphlet lists no season. Check emergency rules before a trip.
What does an out-of-state angler buy for Washington brown rockfish?
Anglers 16 and older fishing marine water carry a Saltwater license ($40.71 resident, $81.70 nonresident for 2026-27) or a Combination license, plus a catch record card for salmon, sturgeon, steelhead or halibut.
Where do I take a Washington brown rockfish record?
WDFW keeps the list; weigh the unfrozen fish on a certified scale with two witnesses and take it to a WDFW office.
Chase brown rockfish around the Evergreen State
Every water above has ramps and limits on its own page.