Cle Elum River Fishing Regulations
Kittitas County, Washington · 2026 size limits, bag limits, and seasons
Cle Elum River is a river in Kittitas County, Washington. It has its own fishing regulations for 8 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 Cle Elum River
Fish with special rules on Cle Elum River
Tap a fish for identification tips, size records, and the best bait.
Cle Elum River limits by species (2026)
From mouth to Cle Elum Dam
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesIt is permissible to fish up to the base of Cle Elum Dam. | – | – | Year-round |
| Whitefish gear may be used · Artificial Only; Barbless; Single Point Hook; No Bait | – | – | Mar 1 – Nov 30, Dec 1 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Feb 28 |
 Brook TroutRelease cutthroat trout and rainbow trout | – | – | Year-round |
 Brown TroutRelease cutthroat trout and rainbow trout | – | – | Year-round |
 Cutthroat Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Release cutthroat trout and rainbow trout | – | – | Year-round |
 Golden TroutRelease cutthroat trout and rainbow trout | – | – | Year-round |
 Lake TroutRelease cutthroat trout and rainbow trout | – | – | Year-round |
| Other Game Fish | – | – | Year-round |
 Rainbow TroutRelease cutthroat trout and rainbow trout | – | – | Year-round |
| – | Catch & release only | Year-round | |
 SteelheadRelease cutthroat trout and rainbow trout | – | – | Year-round |
Above Cle Elum Lake to outlet of Hyas Lake
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesArtificial Only; Barbless; Single Point Hook; No Bait | – | – | Year-round |
| All Game Fish | – | – | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
– means no limit is listed for this water. Rules not shown here follow Washington's statewide regulations.
Plan your Cle Elum River trip
Cle Elum River fishing: common questions
What fish have special regulations on Cle Elum River?
8 species have rules specific to Cle Elum River: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, Lake Trout, Other Game Fish, Rainbow Trout, and Steelhead.
What is the brook trout limit on Cle Elum River?
No size limit is listed for Brook Trout on Cle Elum River (from mouth to Cle Elum Dam).
What is the brown trout limit on Cle Elum River?
No size limit is listed for Brown Trout on Cle Elum River (from mouth to Cle Elum Dam).
What is the cutthroat trout limit on Cle Elum River?
Cutthroat Trout are catch and release only on Cle Elum River (from mouth to Cle Elum Dam). Limits change during the year.
Is Cle Elum River catch and release?
Some rules on Cle Elum River are catch and release only, covering Cutthroat Trout and Rainbow Trout. Check the table for the section and dates that apply.
Do Washington statewide fishing rules apply on Cle Elum River?
Where Cle Elum 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
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