Dolly Varden in Washington
dolly varden under the 2026-27 WDFW pamphlet.
- Closed unless otlimit
- 10.94 lbsrecord
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dolly varden by the Washington numbers
WDFW prints the dolly varden rule in its statewide freshwater list as "Dolly Varden/Bull Trout". The entry runs: Closed unless otherwise listed in Special Rules.
The WDFW state record weighed 10.94 lbs, taken by Leroy Thompson from Whitechuck River, Snohomish County in 1999. 9 waters carry a Special Rule touching it. WDFW prints its scientific name as Salvelinus malma.
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| 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.
dolly varden in the Special Rules tables
Special Rules for 9 waters use the label "dolly varden/bull trout".
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 dolly varden
| Listing | Weight | Angler | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dolly Varden | 10.94 lbs | Leroy Thompson | Whitechuck River, Snohomish County | Aug. 5, 1999 |
WDFW sport fish records, read October 31, 2026; record list.
Fish WDFW groups with dolly varden
- Atlantic Salmonfreshwater
- Brown Troutfreshwater
- Bull Troutfreshwater
- Chinook Salmonfreshwater
- Chum Salmonfreshwater
- Coho Salmonfreshwater
- Coastal Cutthroat Troutfreshwater
- Lahontan Cutthroat Troutfreshwater
- Westslope Cutthroat Troutfreshwater
- Brook Troutfreshwater
What the water by Dolly Varden looks like on a clear day
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Jeff White, CC BY 2.0
Photo: jc.winkler, CC BY 2.0
Photo: l.madhavan, CC BY 2.0
Washington dolly varden questions with short replies
Which WDFW rule sets the dolly varden limit?
The pamphlet says: Closed unless otherwise listed in Special Rules.
Who holds the Washington dolly varden record?
The record is 10.94 lbs from Whitechuck River, Snohomish County in 1999, by Leroy Thompson.
Which Washington water pages mention dolly varden?
No Washington water page names it yet.
Does the 2026 plants report list dolly varden?
The 2026 plants report leaves it out.
Do any Washington waters set their own dolly varden rule?
9 waters print a Special Rule for it.
In which months may dolly varden be kept in Washington?
The pamphlet season is Closed. WDFW emergency rules override the pamphlet.
What does a Washington license for dolly varden 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 dolly varden 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 dolly varden
Start with one of the waters above.