Coal Creek Fishing Regulations
Cowlitz County, Washington · 2026 size limits, bag limits, and seasons
Coal Creek is a creek in Cowlitz County, Washington. It has its own fishing regulations for 14 species, including Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Chinook Salmon, set separately for 2 sections of the creek. These rules replace Washington's statewide limits on this water.
Map of Coal Creek
Fish with special rules on Coal Creek
Tap a fish for identification tips, size records, and the best bait.
Coal Creek limits by species (2026)
From mouth to 400' downstream of falls
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesBarbed hooks allowed · Artificial Only; Barbless; Single Point Hook; No Bait | – | – | Year-round |
 Atlantic SalmonAdult daily bag: 2 · Release all salmon other than hatchery chinook and hatchery coho | 12" min | 6 | Nov 1 – Dec 31 |
 Brook Trout | 14" min | 2 | Nov 1 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Mar 15, May 23 – Aug 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Aug. 31 |
 Brown Trout | 14" min | 2 | May 23 – Aug 31, Nov 1 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Mar 15 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Aug. 31 |
 Chinook SalmonAdult daily bag: 2 · Release all salmon other than hatchery chinook and hatchery coho | 12" min | 6 | Nov 1 – Dec 31 |
 Coho SalmonAdult daily bag: 2 · Release all salmon other than hatchery chinook and hatchery coho | 12" min | 6 | Nov 1 – Dec 31 |
 Cutthroat Trout | 14" min | 2 | May 23 – Aug 31, Nov 1 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Mar 15 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Aug. 31 |
 Golden Trout | 14" min | 2 | Nov 1 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Mar 15, May 23 – Aug 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Aug. 31 |
| Hatchery SteelheadHatchery fish only | 20" min | 3 | Nov 1 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Mar 15, May 23 – Aug 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Aug. 31 |
 Lake Trout | 14" min | 2 | May 23 – Aug 31, Nov 1 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Mar 15 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Aug. 31 |
| Other Game Fish | – | – | May 23 – Aug 31, Nov 1 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Mar 15 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Aug. 31 |
 Pink SalmonAdult daily bag: 2 · Release all salmon other than hatchery chinook and hatchery coho | 12" min | 6 | Nov 1 – Dec 31 |
 Rainbow Trout | 14" min | 2 | May 23 – Aug 31, Nov 1 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Mar 15 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Aug. 31 |
 Sockeye SalmonAdult daily bag: 2 · Release all salmon other than hatchery chinook and hatchery coho | 12" min | 6 | Nov 1 – Dec 31 |
 Steelhead | 14" min | 2 | May 23 – Aug 31, Nov 1 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Mar 15 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Aug. 31 |
From 400' below the falls to the falls
| 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 Coal Creek trip
Coal Creek fishing: common questions
What fish have special regulations on Coal Creek?
14 species have rules specific to Coal Creek: Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, and Hatchery Steelhead, and 6 more.
What is the atlantic salmon limit on Coal Creek?
Atlantic Salmon must be at least 12" to keep on Coal Creek (from mouth to 400' downstream of falls), and the daily bag limit is 6. Season: Nov 1 – Dec 31.
What is the brook trout limit on Coal Creek?
Brook Trout must be at least 14" to keep on Coal Creek (from mouth to 400' downstream of falls), and the daily bag limit is 2. Season: Nov 1 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Mar 15, May 23 – Aug 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Aug. 31.
What is the brown trout limit on Coal Creek?
Brown Trout must be at least 14" to keep on Coal Creek (from mouth to 400' downstream of falls), and the daily bag limit is 2. Season: May 23 – Aug 31, Nov 1 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Mar 15 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Aug. 31.
Do Washington statewide fishing rules apply on Coal Creek?
Where Coal Creek 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 Coal Creek rules on the water
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