Bull Trout in Washington
Where bull trout live in Washington, with the rules.
- Closed unless otlimit
- 22.50 lbsrecord
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of the fish itself, not a Washington water: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
A Washington profile of bull trout
Find bull trout in the Evergreen State freshwater table at the entry "Dolly Varden/Bull Trout". What it says, quoted: Closed unless otherwise listed in Special Rules.
The record book shows 22.50 lbs from Tieton River, Yakima County (1961), caught by Louis Schott. 111 Washington water pages here list the fish, Yakima River, Skagit River and Kalama River first. The Special Rules tables name it for 9 waters. Taxonomists file it as Salvelinus confluentus.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 The statewide line on bull trout
| Pamphlet row | Waters | Limit as printed | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dolly Varden/Bull Trout | all freshwater | Closed unless otherwise listed in Special Rules. | Closed |
Limits and seasons as printed in the 2026-2027 Washington Sport Fishing Rules (WDFW pamphlet, in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027), PDF page 27 (pamphlet PDF; eRegulations statewide freshwater page), read October 31, 2026.
Lakes and rivers that set bull trout apart
Look for "dolly varden/bull trout" in the Special Rules: 9 waters use them.
The biggest Washington bull trout on file
| Listing | Weight | Angler | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bull Trout | 22.50 lbs | Louis Schott | Tieton River, Yakima County | April 23, 1961 |
WDFW sport fish records, read October 31, 2026; record list.
Washington pages listing bull trout
River pages naming bull trout
- Yakima RiverKittitas County
- Skagit RiverSkagit County
- Kalama RiverCowlitz County
- Methow RiverOkanogan County
- Wenatchee RiverChelan County
- Grande Ronde RiverAsotin County
- Chehalis RiverLewis County
- Humptulips RiverGrays Harbor County
- Klickitat RiverKlickitat County
- Skykomish RiverSnohomish County
- Snoqualmie RiverKing County
- Nooksack RiverWhatcom County
- Sol Duc RiverClallam County
- Cowlitz RiverLewis County
- Lewis RiverSkamania County
- Skokomish RiverMason County
- Wishkah RiverGrays Harbor County
- Wynoochee RiverGrays Harbor County
WDFW Fish Washington and high lake layer species lists, WDFW SWIFD distribution, record waters and 2026 trout plants; largest waters first.
Washington cousins of bull trout
- Atlantic Salmonfreshwater
- Brown Troutfreshwater
- Chinook Salmonfreshwater
- Chum Salmonfreshwater
- Coho Salmonfreshwater
- Coastal Cutthroat Troutfreshwater
- Lahontan Cutthroat Troutfreshwater
- Westslope Cutthroat Troutfreshwater
- Dolly Vardenfreshwater
- Brook Troutfreshwater
- Golden Troutfreshwater
- Lake Troutfreshwater
The shoreline country around Bull Trout, in pictures
Photo: Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Richard Probst – Shot in a Frame, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Chris Ballance, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Richie Diesterheft, CC BY-SA 2.0
Evergreen State bull trout, asked and answered
How many bull trout may I keep in Washington?
Statewide: Closed unless otherwise listed in Special Rules.
From which water did the Washington record bull trout come?
WDFW lists 22.50 lbs, Tieton River, Yakima County, 1961, Louis Schott.
What Washington water is a good bet for bull trout?
Start with Yakima River, Skagit River and Kalama River among 111 pages.
Are bull trout part of the WDFW plants report?
No 2026 WDFW trout plant names it.
Is the bull trout rule the same everywhere in Washington?
It differs on 9 waters with Special Rules.
Is bull trout open all year in Washington?
Season as printed: Closed. Emergency rules can change it in season.
Which WDFW license lets me fish for bull trout?
Anglers 16 and older need a Washington Freshwater license ($39.95 resident, $115.85 nonresident for 2026-27) or a Combination license; salmon, steelhead and sturgeon also take a catch record card.
Who keeps the Washington record for bull trout?
WDFW does; marine fish are verified only at the Region 4 or Region 6 offices or Olympia headquarters.
Find bull trout within a drive
Each water listed has a Washington page.