Walleye in Washington
Washington walleye: what may be kept and where to look.
- 8 dailylimit
- 20.32 lbsrecord
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Washington walleye: rule, record, water
For the 2026-27 season, Washington files walleye in the freshwater row "Walleye". As printed, it reads: Min. size 12" in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Daily limit 8. Only 1 over 22" may be retained. May be caught, retained, and released alive from a livewell until daily limit is in possession.
John Grubenhoff holds the Washington record at 20.32 lbs, from Lake Wallula, Benton County, 2014. Lake Roosevelt, Lake Umatilla and Banks Lake head the 33 Washington pages naming it. Water-specific rules cover it on 77 waters. Scientific name, as WDFW gives it: Sander vitreus.
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| Pamphlet row | Waters | Limit as printed | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | lakes, ponds, and reservoirs | Min. size 12" in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Daily limit 8. Only 1 over 22" may be retained. May be caught, retained, and released alive from a livewell until daily limit is in possession. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Walleye | rivers, streams, and beaver ponds | No size restriction/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
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.
Water-specific walleye rules
The pamphlet's Special Rules mention it on 77 waters, under labels such as "bass, channel catfish, and walleye" and "walleye".
Heaviest walleye on the WDFW list
| Listing | Weight | Angler | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | 20.32 lbs | John Grubenhoff | Lake Wallula, Benton County | Feb. 28, 2014 |
WDFW sport fish records, read October 31, 2026; record list.
Washington water that holds walleye
Lakes where WDFW notes walleye
- Lake Roosevelt83,988 acres
- Lake Umatilla48,738 acres
- Banks Lake26,888 acres
- Lake Wallula26,274 acres
- Potholes Reservoir14,282 acres
- Box Canyon Reservoir9,317 acres
- Lake Entiat8,829 acres
- Lake Pateros8,099 acres
- Rufus Woods Lake8,022 acres
- Moses Lake6,728 acres
- Lake Spokane4,748 acres
- Boundary Reservoir1,579 acres
- Billy Clapp Lake974 acres
- Scooteney Reservoir711 acres
- Liberty Lake706 acres
- Evergreen Lake248 acres
- Soda Lake154 acres
- Upper Goose Lake130 acres
- Horsethief Lake84 acres
- Long Lake (Grant County)74 acres
- Lower Goose Lake65 acres
- Mesa Lake48 acres
- Clark Pond38 acres
- Thompson Seep North16 acres
Creek and river pages with walleye
- Yakima RiverKittitas County
- Okanogan RiverOkanogan County
- Cowlitz RiverLewis County
- Kettle RiverFerry County
- Pend Oreille RiverPend Oreille County
- Snake RiverWhitman County
- Columbia RiverStevens County
- Palouse RiverWhitman County
- Spokane RiverStevens County
WDFW Fish Washington and high lake layer species lists, WDFW SWIFD distribution, record waters and 2026 trout plants; largest waters first.
Lakes, rivers and sound close to Walleye, pictured
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: nwclassicyacht, CC BY 2.0
Photo: jc.winkler, CC BY 2.0
Photo: skycaptaintwo, CC BY 2.0
What to know before chasing walleye in Washington
What daily limit covers walleye in Washington?
Rule text: Min. size 12" in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Daily limit 8. Only 1 over 22" may be retained. May be caught, retained, and released alive from a livewell until daily limit is in possession.
When was the Washington walleye record set?
20.32 lbs, from Lake Wallula, Benton County, 2014, by John Grubenhoff.
Which Washington pages point to walleye?
Lake Roosevelt, Lake Umatilla and Banks Lake head the 33 pages naming it.
Does WDFW plant walleye?
WDFW plant rows do not include it.
Where is the walleye rule different in Washington?
Yes, 77 waters; see the Special Rules page.
Does Washington close the walleye season?
Its 2026-27 season reads Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31. Check emergency rules before a trip.
What does an out-of-state angler buy for Washington walleye?
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.
Where do I take a Washington walleye record?
WDFW keeps the list; weigh the unfrozen fish on a certified scale with two witnesses and take it to a WDFW office.
Chase walleye around the Evergreen State
Every water above has ramps and limits on its own page.