Chinook Salmon in Washington
chinook salmon under the 2026-27 WDFW pamphlet.
- Anglers may not limit
- 70.50 lbsrecord
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chinook salmon by the Washington numbers
WDFW prints the chinook salmon rule in its statewide freshwater list as "Salmon". The entry runs: Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon after the adult portion of the daily limit has been retained. Possession limit – 2 daily limits in fresh form. An additional 40 pounds of salmon may be possessed in frozen or processed form (see Definitions). Atlanti
The WDFW state record weighed 70.50 lbs, taken by Chet Gausta from Sekiu, Clallam County in 1964. It turns up on 162 Washington lake, river or marine pages, among them Yakima River, Skagit River and Kalama River. 117 waters carry a Special Rule touching it. WDFW prints its scientific name as Oncorhynchus tshawytscha.
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| Pamphlet row | Waters | Limit as printed | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon | all freshwater | Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon after the adult portion of the daily limit has been retained. Possession limit – 2 daily limits in fresh form. An additional 40 pounds of salmon may be possessed in frozen or processed form (see D | Closed unless listed in Special Rules (p.23: all freshwater areas are closed to fishing for salmon) |
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.
Where chinook salmon show up in the marine rules
- 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.
chinook salmon in the Special Rules tables
Special Rules for 117 waters use the label "salmon" and "salmon and hatchery steelhead".
Every water with Special Rules
Special Rules as printed in the 2026-2027 Washington Sport Fishing Rules (WDFW pamphlet, in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027), pamphlet page 26 (pamphlet PDF), read on eRegulations October 31, 2026.The Washington record chinook salmon
| Listing | Weight | Angler | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinook Salmon | 70.50 lbs | Chet Gausta | Sekiu, Clallam County | Sept. 6, 1964 |
| Chinook Salmon | 68.26 lbs | Mark Salmon | Elochoman River, Wahkiakum County | Oct. 5, 1992 |
WDFW sport fish records, read October 31, 2026; record list.
Evergreen State water for chinook salmon
Streams WDFW maps for chinook salmon
- 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
- Black RiverThurston County
- Bogachiel RiverClallam County
- Nooksack RiverWhatcom County
- Okanogan RiverOkanogan County
- Sol Duc RiverClallam County
- Cowlitz RiverLewis County
- Lewis RiverSkamania County
WDFW Fish Washington and high lake layer species lists, WDFW SWIFD distribution, record waters and 2026 trout plants; largest waters first.
Fish WDFW groups with chinook salmon
- Atlantic Salmonfreshwater
- Brown Troutfreshwater
- Bull Troutfreshwater
- Chum Salmonfreshwater
- Coho Salmonfreshwater
- Coastal Cutthroat Troutfreshwater
- Lahontan Cutthroat Troutfreshwater
- Westslope Cutthroat Troutfreshwater
- Dolly Vardenfreshwater
- Brook Troutfreshwater
- Pink Salmonfreshwater
- Sockeye Salmonfreshwater
What the water by Chinook Salmon looks like on a clear day
Photo: Pacific Fishery Management Council, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: eutrophication&hypoxia, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Sheila Sund, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Kev Cook, CC BY 4.0
Washington chinook salmon questions with short replies
Which WDFW rule sets the chinook salmon limit?
The pamphlet says: Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon after the adult portion of the daily limit has been retained. Possession limit – 2 daily limits in fresh form. An additional 40 pounds of salmon may be possessed in frozen or processed f
Who holds the Washington chinook salmon record?
The record is 70.50 lbs from Sekiu, Clallam County in 1964, by Chet Gausta.
Which Washington water pages mention chinook salmon?
162 water pages list it, led by Yakima River, Skagit River and Kalama River.
Does the 2026 plants report list chinook salmon?
The 2026 plants report leaves it out.
Do any Washington waters set their own chinook salmon rule?
117 waters print a Special Rule for it.
In which months may chinook salmon be kept in Washington?
The pamphlet season is Closed unless listed in Special Rules (p.23: all freshwater areas are closed to fishing for salmon). WDFW emergency rules override the pamphlet.
What does a Washington license for chinook salmon cost?
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.
What does a chinook salmon record claim need in Washington?
Do not freeze it; get a certified weight with witnesses and call a WDFW office for verification.
Plan Washington water around chinook salmon
Start with one of the waters above.