634 Lakes · 207 Rivers · 37 Bays and Coast · 39 Counties · 394 TownsWashington state record fish
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Washington reference

Washington State Record Fish

The WDFW list of the heaviest fish of each species, freshwater and saltwater, with angler, water and date.

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Photo of Snake River: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0

How the list works

One heaviest fish per species, kept by WDFW

WDFW lists one record per species by weight (no top-ten, no fly or catch-and-release divisions, no length). Weights as printed in pounds with two decimals.

Only fishes classified as food fish (WAC 220-300-370) and game fish (RCW 77.08.020 and WAC 220-300-380) may be submitted as a potential sport fish record.

This page carries all 115 entries: 51 freshwater and 64 saltwater; 56 name a water with a page here.

115records
51freshwater
64saltwater
56linked waters

WDFW sport fish records, read October 31, 2026; record list.

Freshwater

Washington freshwater record fish, heaviest first

SpeciesWeightAnglerWaterDate
Chinook Salmon68.26 lbsMark SalmonElochoman River, Wahkiakum CountyOct. 5, 1992
Common Carp49.50 lbsDuane FisherMoses Lake, Grant CountyJune 17, 2006
Tiger Muskie (Northern Pike / Muskellunge hybrid)37.88 lbsDavid HickmanCurlew Lake, Ferry CountyJuly 26, 2014
Channel Catfish37.70 lbsCole AbshereLake Terrell, Whatcom CountyAug. 20, 2019
Lake Trout (Mackinaw)35.63 lbsPhil ColyarLake Chelan, Chelan CountyFeb. 4, 2013
Steelhead, summer-run35.06 lbsGilbert PiersonSnake River, Whitman CountyNov. 23, 1973
Steelhead, winter-run32.75 lbsGene MaygraEF Lewis River, Clark CountyApril 14, 1980
Rainbow Trout, resident (including triploid)29.60 lbsNorm ButlerRufus Woods Lake, Okanogan CountyNov. 11, 2002
Tiger Trout27.42 lbsCathy CleggLoon Lake, Stevens CountyAug. 7, 2022
Chum Salmon25.97 lbsJohnny WilsonSatsop River, Grays Harbor CountyOct. 19, 1997
Coho Salmon25.27 lbsBrad WilsonQuinault River, Grays Harbor CountyNov. 11, 2001
Flathead Catfish22.80 lbsC. L. McCarySnake RiverJune 28, 1981
Bull Trout22.50 lbsLouis SchottTieton River, Yakima CountyApril 23, 1961
Brown Trout22.00 lbsR. L. HenrySullivan Lake, Pend Oreille CountyMay 22, 1965
Walleye20.32 lbsJohn GrubenhoffLake Wallula, Benton CountyFeb. 28, 2014
White Catfish19.85 lbsDonald W. HuffmanWalla Walla RiverApril 17, 2002
Cutthroat Trout, Lahontan18.04 lbsDan BeardsleeOmak Lake, Okanogan CountyJuly 1, 1993
Blue Catfish17.75 lbsRangle HawthorneColumbia RiverJuly 9, 1975
Burbot17.37 lbsMike CampbellBead Lake, Pend Oreille CountyApril 24, 2004
Rainbow Trout, Beardslee16.31 lbsRichard L. BatesLake Crescent, Clallam CountySept. 7, 1989
Pink Salmon15.40 lbsAdam StewartStillaguamish River, Snohomish CountyOct. 11, 2007
Atlantic Salmon, sea-run14.38 lbsRon HowardGreen River, King CountySept. 22, 1999
Largemouth Bass12.53 lbsBill EvansLake Bosworth, Snohomish CountyAug. 8, 2016
Cutthroat Trout, Coastal, resident12.00 lbsW. WelshLake Crescent, Clallam CountyJuly 1, 1961
Dolly Varden10.94 lbsLeroy ThompsonWhitechuck River, Snohomish CountyAug. 5, 1999
Sockeye Salmon10.63 lbsGary KrasseltLake Washington, King CountyJuly 20, 1982
Eastern Brook Trout9.00 lbsGeorge G. WeekesWobbly Lake, Lewis CountyMay 7, 1988
Atlantic Salmon, resident8.96 lbsGregory LeppingGoat Lake, Jefferson CountySept. 13, 1992
Largescale Sucker8.96 lbsKimo GabrielColumbia River, Benton CountyMarch 21, 2026
Smallmouth Bass8.75 lbsRay WonacottColumbia River, Hanford ReachApril 23, 1966
Northern Pikeminnow8.60 lbsBill SaundersSnake River, Franklin CountyApril 16, 2026
Lake Whitefish7.86 lbsGavin BoggsLake Roosevelt, Grant CountyFeb. 11, 2023
Kokanee (non-anadromous Sockeye Salmon)6.25 lbsClarence F. RiefLake Roosevelt, Grant CountyJune 26, 2003
Cutthroat Trout, Coastal, sea-run6.00 lbsBud JohnsonCarr Inlet, Pierce CountyMay 1, 1943
Mountain Whitefish5.13 lbsSteven BeckenColumbia River, Benton CountyNov. 30, 1983
Cutthroat Trout, Westslope4.71 lbsAngus KerrAbernathy Lake, Okanogan CountyOct. 8, 2006
Black Crappie4.50 lbsJohn W. SmartLake Washington, King CountyMay 1, 1956
Golden Trout4.17 lbsArthur JacksonGunn Lake, Snohomish CountyOct. 2, 2020
Brown Bullhead3.90 lbsJoe OchotaLudlow Lake, Jefferson CountyJune 26, 1997
American Shad3.85 lbsTom MagnusonColumbia River, Clark CountyJune 21, 2005
Bridgelip Sucker3.06 lbsJohn E. MoorePalmer Lake, Okanogan CountyMay 27, 1999
White Crappie2.80 lbsDon J. BensonBurbank Slough, Walla Walla CountyJune 21, 1988
Yellow Perch2.75 lbsLarry BenthienSnelson's Slough, Skagit CountyJune 22, 1969
Yellow Bullhead2.38 lbsMonica BeckleyPotholes Reservoir, Grant CountySept. 8, 2013
Bluegill2.33 lbsRon HinoteTampico Park Pond, Yakima CountyJune 10, 1984
Black Bullhead1.81 lbsCleon ConradLake Cassidy, Snohomish CountySept. 4, 2020
Peamouth1.48 lbsMichael LaneColumbia River, Klickitat CountyMay 10, 2026
Rock Bass1.38 lbsWilliam JacksonSteilacoom Lake, Pierce CountyJune 26, 1981
Pumpkinseed1.09 lbsBarbie HathawaynLake Terrell, Whatcom CountyJuly 2, 2007
Green Sunfish0.79 lbsMickey HoughBailey Lake, Spokane CountyMay 29, 1994
Warmouth0.53 lbsLinda HatlelidSilver Lake, Cowlitz CountyMay 27, 1996
Saltwater

Washington saltwater record fish, heaviest first

SpeciesWeightAnglerWaterDate
Pacific Halibut288.00 lbsVic StevensSwiftsure BankSept. 9, 1989
Sixgill Shark220.00 lbsJim HainesGedney Island, Snohomish CountyJan. 30, 1991
Striped Marlin134.00 lbsPhil WolffWestport, Grays Harbor CountySept. 2, 2005
Big Skate130.00 lbsDan CartwrightDouble Bluff, Island CountyMay 18, 1986
Opah113.40 lbsKyle TapioPacific Ocean, Pacific CountySept. 7, 2018
Pacific Bluefin Tuna92.15 lbsAdam SpeerPacific Ocean, Pacific CountyAug. 12, 2019
Chinook Salmon70.50 lbsChet GaustaSekiu, Clallam CountySept. 6, 1964
Blue Shark64.00 lbsMarcus TotemeierPacific Ocean, Grays Harbor CountyJuly 27, 2018
Lingcod61.00 lbsTom NelsonSan Juan Islands, San Juan CountyJuly 30, 1986
Tope Shark55.00 lbsHudson BarnumWestport, Grays Harbor CountyJuly 26, 2023
Albacore Tuna52.00 lbsKurt StricklandPacific Ocean, Grays Harbor CountyOct. 1, 1997
Lingcod (Speargun)31.34 lbsGunnar FjelstulNeah Bay, Clallam CountyJuly 31, 2023
Sablefish30.00 lbsJeff RudolphWestport, Grays Harbor CountyJune 28, 1994
Yelloweye Rockfish27.75 lbsJan TavisDallas BankApril 15, 1989
Coho Salmon25.34 lbsMartin CooperSekiu, Clallam CountySept. 28, 2001
Chum Salmon25.26 lbsFred DockendorfPacific Ocean, Grays Harbor CountyAug. 7, 2001
Cabezon (Speargun)25.20 lbsTony L. RossbergHale Passage (near Fox Island), Pierce CountyMay 22, 1997
Bocaccio23.63 lbsCarson KendallSwiftsure BankAug. 8, 1987
Cabezon23.00 lbsWesley S. HunterStraits-Dungeness, Clallam CountyAug. 4, 1990
Dolphinfish21.00 lbsWade La FontainePacific Ocean, Pacific CountyAug. 25, 2023
Yellowtail Jack20.50 lbsJason MacKenzieWestport, Grays Harbor CountyAug. 27, 2011
North Pacific Spiny Dogfish20.25 lbsRoger PetersenMiddle Bank, Island CountyMay 22, 1998
Pacific Cod19.63 lbsRalph BayEdiz Hook, Clallam CountyMarch 6, 1984
Redbanded Rockfish17.85 lbsDarryl RobertsLaPush, Clallam CountyMay 2, 2019
Vermilion Rockfish (Speargun)13.50 lbsLester Dorris, Jr.Neah Bay, Clallam CountyAug. 22, 1998
Pink Salmon11.56 lbsJeff BergmanPossession Point, Island CountyAug. 25, 2001
Black Rockfish10.72 lbsSteven Charles OrrIlwaco, Pacific CountyMay 15, 2016
Canary Rockfish10.57 lbsBen PhillipsNeah Bay, Clallam CountyAug. 30, 1986
Copper Rockfish10.00 lbsDavid NorthingtonPoint Roberts Reef, Whatcom CountyAug. 6, 1989
Arrowtooth Flounder9.98 lbsDrew TrethewayWillapa Canyon, west of Long Beach, Pacific CountyJune 26, 2025
Starry Flounder9.50 lbsRobert WaltonPillar Point, Clallam CountySept. 25, 2009
Sockeye Salmon9.37 lbsJohn SteblySekiu, Clallam CountyAug. 14, 2004
Vermilion Rockfish8.98 lbsBrandon ClaytonMakah Bay, Clallam CountyApril 30, 2023
Petrale Sole7.57 lbsJohn StoneJefferson Head, Kitsap CountyJune 11, 1980
Tiger Rockfish7.50 lbsJames WenbanMiddle Bank, San Juan CountyNov. 30, 1989
Yellowtail Rockfish7.38 lbsKen CulverWestport, Grays Harbor CountySept. 15, 1992
Quillback Rockfish7.19 lbsBror HultgrenMiddle Bank, San Juan CountyOct. 29, 1987
Silvergray Rockfish6.91 lbsHudson TerryMarine Area 4, Clallam CountyAug. 6, 2022
Black Rockfish (Speargun)6.00 lbsAnneliese YanceyNeah Bay, Clallam CountyJune 4, 2022
Starry Flounder (Speargun)5.60 lbsJeremy YanceySekiu, Clallam CountySept. 1, 2022
Blue Rockfish5.16 lbsRussell SkurskiNeah Bay, Clallam CountyJune 26, 2025
Blue Rockfish (Speargun)5.08 lbsGunnar FjelstulNeah Bay, Clallam CountyAug. 14, 2023
Jack Mackerel4.99 lbsDee DuttreySekiu, Clallam CountySept. 22, 2005
Great Sculpin4.60 lbsMark ReynoldsPort Angeles Harbor, Clallam CountyJuly 29, 1999
Kelp Greenling4.42 lbsDanita RixenSucia Island, San Juan CountySept. 19, 1999
Rock Sole4.19 lbsAlan SchramHein BankJuly 9, 1989
China Rockfish4.19 lbsSteven RipleyDuncan Rock, Clallam CountyJuly 11, 1989
Pacific Hake4.06 lbsSamir HajWestport, Grays Harbor CountyJuly 30, 2013
Redtail Surfperch4.05 lbsChris MaynardKalaloch, Clallam CountyAug. 4, 1996
Deacon Rockfish3.98 lbsDonald DavenportWestport, Grays Harbor CountyMay 1, 2017
Brown Rockfish3.94 lbsDerek GochanourWestport, Grays Harbor CountySept. 19, 2024
Spotted Ratfish3.90 lbsWilliam J. DenningHein BankJuly 19, 1996
Kelp Greenling (Speargun)3.88 lbsJim BriggsAgate Pass, Kitsap CountyJune 5, 1983
Pile Surfperch3.57 lbsSteve UrbanQuartermaster Harbor, King CountyMarch 14, 1981
Red Irish Lord3.19 lbsRyan DicksMid-Channel Bank, Clallam CountyJuly 5, 1985
Sand sole2.59 lbsShannon ReissSan Juan Islands, San Juan CountyMarch 31, 2019
Striped Surfperch2.27 lbsChris OtteWestport, Grays Harbor CountyJuly 28, 2016
Greenstripe Rockfish2.16 lbsJared BernardoWestport, Grays Harbor CountyMay 29, 2025
Spotted Ratfish (Speargun)1.88 lbsJeremy YanceySekiu, Clallam CountySept. 1, 2022
Pacific Pomfret1.58 lbsAvi NussbaumMarine Area 2, Grays Harbors CountyJuly 29, 2023
Brown Rockfish (Speargun)1.27 lbsRichard BethkeAgate Pass, Kitsap CountyJuly 21, 2003
Pacific Sanddab1.22 lbsBob EverittJeffferson Head, King CountyJuly 1, 2017
Whitespotted Greenling1.00 lbsMichael PetersonNortheast Cypress Island, Skagit CountySept. 24, 2021
Pacific Staghorn Sculpin0.80 lbsJuan ValeroPoint No Point, Kitsap CountyJuly 22, 2016
Counties

Counties behind the most Washington records

Clallam24 records
Grays Harbor15 records
Snohomish6 records
King5 records
Pacific5 records
San Juan5 records
Grant4 records
Okanogan4 records
Kitsap4 records
Whatcom3 records
By decade

When the standing Washington records were set

1940s1 record
1950s1 record
1960s6 records
1970s2 records
1980s25 records
1990s22 records
2000s18 records
2010s18 records
2020s22 records
Claiming one

What a Washington record claim takes

Do not freeze the fish. Download the sport fish record application (PDF). Get the fish weighed as soon as possible on a certified scale with signatures of the scale operator and one other witness. Take the fish to a WDFW office for verification (call for an appointment). Marine fishes may only be verified at the Region 4 office, Region 6 office, or Headquarters in Olympia (360-902-2200).

WDFW record application: PDF form.

Fish photos

A photo key to the fish of Washington State Record Fish

Chinook Salmon, Washington
Chinook Salmon
Photo: USFWS Pacific Southwest Region, CC BY 2.0
Channel Catfish, Washington
Channel Catfish
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
Tiger Trout, Washington
Tiger Trout
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, Public domain
Chum Salmon, Washington
Chum Salmon
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters, CC BY 2.0
Coho Salmon, Washington
Coho Salmon
Photo: BLM Oregon & Washington, Public domain
Bull Trout, Washington
Bull Trout
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, CC BY 2.0
Brown Trout, Washington
Brown Trout
Photo: robposse, CC BY 2.0
White Catfish, Washington
White Catfish
Photo: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.5
Answers

Washington record fish, the usual questions

Which agency certifies Washington record fish?

WDFW, through its Sport Fish Record Coordinator; it lists one record per species, by weight.

How many records are on the list?

115: 51 freshwater and 64 saltwater.

What is the Washington largemouth bass record?

12.53 lbs from Lake Bosworth, Snohomish County, Aug. 8, 2016, by Bill Evans.

How big is the record Chinook salmon?

68.26 lbs from Elochoman River, Wahkiakum County, Oct. 5, 1992, by Mark Salmon.

What is the steelhead record?

35.06 lbs from Snake River, Whitman County, Nov. 23, 1973, by Gilbert Pierson.

What is the heaviest record on the list?

A pacific halibut of 288.00 lbs from Swiftsure Bank.

Which record is the newest?

The peamouth, 1.48 lbs from Columbia River, Klickitat County, May 10, 2026, by Michael Lane.

Which record has stood longest?

The cutthroat trout, coastal, sea-run, 6.00 lbs from Carr Inlet, Pierce County, May 1, 1943, by Bud Johnson.

Can I claim a record with a frozen fish?

No; WDFW says not to freeze it, to weigh it on a certified scale with two signatures and to bring it to a WDFW office.