Chelan River Fishing Regulations
Chelan County, Washington · 2026 size limits, bag limits, and seasons
Chelan River is a river in Chelan County, Washington. It has its own fishing regulations for 9 species, including Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Golden Trout, set separately for 2 sections of the river. These rules replace Washington's statewide limits on this water.
Map of Chelan River
Fish with special rules on Chelan River
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Chelan River limits by species (2026)
From the railroad bridge to the Chelan P.U.D safety barrier below the powerhouse
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
 Brook Trout | – | Catch & release only | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
 Brown Trout | – | Catch & release only | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
 Cutthroat Trout | – | Catch & release only | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
 Golden Trout | – | Catch & release only | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Hatchery SteelheadHatchery fish only | – | – | May 23 – Oct 31 · Closed |
 Lake Trout | – | Catch & release only | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Other Game FishRelease all trout | – | – | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
 Rainbow Trout | – | Catch & release only | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
 Steelhead | – | Catch & release only | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
From the Chelan P.U.D safety barrier below the powerhouse to Chelan Lake
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish Species | – | – | Year-round · Closed |
– means no limit is listed for this water. Rules not shown here follow Washington's statewide regulations.
Plan your Chelan River trip
Chelan River fishing: common questions
What fish have special regulations on Chelan River?
9 species have rules specific to Chelan River: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, Hatchery Steelhead, Lake Trout, Other Game Fish, and Rainbow Trout, and 1 more.
What is the brook trout limit on Chelan River?
Brook Trout are catch and release only on Chelan River (from the railroad bridge to the Chelan P.U.D safety barrier below the powerhouse). Season: May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31.
What is the brown trout limit on Chelan River?
Brown Trout are catch and release only on Chelan River (from the railroad bridge to the Chelan P.U.D safety barrier below the powerhouse). Season: May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31.
What is the cutthroat trout limit on Chelan River?
Cutthroat Trout are catch and release only on Chelan River (from the railroad bridge to the Chelan P.U.D safety barrier below the powerhouse). Season: May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31.
Is Chelan River catch and release?
Some rules on Chelan River are catch and release only, covering Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, and Lake Trout and others. Check the table for the section and dates that apply.
Do Washington statewide fishing rules apply on Chelan River?
Where Chelan River has its own rule for a species, that rule replaces the statewide limit. For species not listed on this page, Washington's statewide regulations apply. Regulations are set by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife; confirm with the official 2026 regulations before keeping a fish.
Other Washington waters with special regulations
- Yakima River · Benton
- Columbia River
- Wind River · Skamania
- Drano Lake · Skamania
- Naselle River · Pacific
- Roosevelt Lake · Ferry/Grant/Lincoln/Okanogan/Stevens
- Cowlitz River · Cowlitz/Lewis
- Green River · Duwamish
- Grays River · Wahkiakum
- Nisqually River · Pierce/Thurston
- Nooksack River · Whatcom
- Humptulips River · Grays Harbor
Take Chelan River rules on the water
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