Golden Trout in Washington
WDFW limits, the state record and Washington water for golden trout.
- 2 dailylimit
- 4.17 lbsrecord
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Washington golden trout in brief
In the 2026-27 WDFW pamphlet, golden trout come under the statewide freshwater line "Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Golden Trout, Tiger Trout, and Grayling". The rule text says: In rivers, streams, and beaver ponds: Min. size 8". Daily limit 2.
Washington's heaviest on the WDFW list: 4.17 lbs, Gunn Lake, Snohomish County, 2020, angler Arthur Jackson. Of the 6 Washington pages that mention it, start with Keechelus Lake, Twin Sisters – Big Lake and Upper (Big) Greider Lake. It appears in Special Rules for 311 waters. Biologists call it Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita.
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| Pamphlet row | Waters | Limit as printed | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Golden Trout, Tiger Trout, and Gray | rivers, streams, and beaver ponds | In rivers, streams, and beaver ponds: Min. size 8". Daily limit 2. | Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 (statewide river season, p.23) |
| Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Golden Trout, Tiger Trout, and Gray | lakes, ponds, and reservoirs | In lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: No min. size. Daily limit 5. | Year-round (statewide lake season, p.23) |
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.
Washington marine areas with a golden trout line
- 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.
Special Rules that name golden trout
311 waters carry a water-specific line for it ("other trout" and "trout").
golden trout in the WDFW record book
| Listing | Weight | Angler | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Trout | 4.17 lbs | Arthur Jackson | Gunn Lake, Snohomish County | Oct. 2, 2020 |
WDFW sport fish records, read October 31, 2026; record list.
Finding golden trout across Washington
Lowland and mountain lakes for golden trout
- Keechelus Lake2,408 acres
- Twin Sisters – Big Lake103 acres
- Upper (Big) Greider Lake59 acres
- Fisher Lake56 acres
- Lower Loch Katrine Lake50 acres
- Lake Byrne49 acres
WDFW Fish Washington and high lake layer species lists, WDFW SWIFD distribution, record waters and 2026 trout plants; largest waters first.
More Washington fish beside golden trout
- Atlantic Salmonfreshwater
- Brown Troutfreshwater
- Bull Troutfreshwater
- Chinook Salmonfreshwater
- Chum Salmonfreshwater
- Coho Salmonfreshwater
- Coastal Cutthroat Troutfreshwater
- Lahontan Cutthroat Troutfreshwater
- Westslope Cutthroat Troutfreshwater
- Dolly Vardenfreshwater
- Brook Troutfreshwater
- Lake Troutfreshwater
A camera walk along the water near Golden Trout
Photo: Jeff Gunn, CC BY 2.0
Photo: brewbooks, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Washington answers about golden trout
How many golden trout can go home from a Washington trip?
The 2026-27 line reads: In rivers, streams, and beaver ponds: Min. size 8". Daily limit 2.
Is there a WDFW record for golden trout?
Arthur Jackson caught it at Gunn Lake, Snohomish County in 2020: 4.17 lbs.
Which Washington waters hold golden trout?
Try Keechelus Lake, Twin Sisters – Big Lake and Upper (Big) Greider Lake; 6 pages carry it.
Are golden trout stocked in Washington?
It is not among the 2026 WDFW plants.
Do some Washington lakes carry their own golden trout numbers?
Special Rules cover it on 311 waters.
What dates apply to Washington golden trout?
Read the season as Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 (statewide river season, p.23). In-season emergency rules take priority.
Do nonresidents need a license for Washington golden 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.
How is a golden trout record certified in Washington?
The WDFW Sport Fish Record Coordinator; the fish must be weighed on a certified scale, not frozen, and seen at a WDFW office.
Go after Washington golden trout
Open a water above for ramps and rules.