Cowlitz River Fishing Regulations
Cowlitz/Lewis counties, Washington · 2026 size limits, bag limits, and seasons
Cowlitz River is a river in Cowlitz/Lewis counties, Washington. It has its own fishing regulations for 12 species, including Wild Cutthroat Trout, Wild Rainbow Trout, Hatchery Chinook Salmon, and Hatchery Coho Salmon, set separately for 10 sections of the river. These rules replace Washington's statewide limits on this water.
12 species with limits10 sections with their own rules
Map of Cowlitz River
Fish with special rules on Cowlitz River
Tap a fish for identification tips, size records, and the best bait.
Cowlitz River limits by species (2026)
From boundary markers at mouth to Lexington Bridge
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesTwo-pole fishing allowed | – | – | Year-round |
 Brook Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
 Brown Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
 Cutthroat Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
 Golden Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Hatchery Chinook SalmonHatchery fish only · Adult daily bag: 2 | 12" min | 6 | Jan 1 – Jul 31 |
| Hatchery Coho SalmonHatchery fish only · Adult daily bag: 2 · Adult daily bag: 3 | 12" min | 6 | Jan 1 – Jul 31, Aug 1 – Dec 31 |
| Hatchery SteelheadHatchery fish only | 20" min | 3 | Year-round |
 Lake Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
 Rainbow Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
 Steelhead | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Wild Cutthroat TroutWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Wild Rainbow TroutWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
From Lexington Bridge to Mill Creek
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesTwo-pole fishing allowed | – | – | Year-round |
| Brook Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Brown Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Cutthroat Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Golden Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Hatchery Chinook SalmonHatchery fish only · Adult daily bag: 2 | 12" min | 6 | Jan 1 – Jul 31 |
| Hatchery Coho SalmonHatchery fish only · Adult daily bag: 3 · Adult daily bag: 2 | 12" min | 6 | Aug 1 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Jul 31 |
| Hatchery SteelheadHatchery fish only | 20" min | 3 | Year-round |
| Lake Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Rainbow Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Steelhead | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Wild Cutthroat TroutWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Wild Rainbow TroutWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
From Mill Creek to 400' or posted markers below the Barrier Dam
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesTwo-pole fishing allowed · No Floating Device | – | – | Year-round |
| Fishing from south side of river is prohibited. · Anti-snagging rule applies · Closed at night | – | – | May 1 – Jun 15, Apr 1 – Nov 30 |
| Brook Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Brown Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Cutthroat Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Golden Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Hatchery Chinook SalmonHatchery fish only · Adult daily bag: 2 | 12" min | 6 | Jan 1 – Jul 31 |
| Hatchery Coho SalmonHatchery fish only · Adult daily bag: 2 · Adult daily bag: 3 | 12" min | 6 | Jan 1 – Jul 31, Aug 1 – Dec 31 |
| Hatchery SteelheadHatchery fish only | 20" min | 3 | Year-round |
| Lake Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Rainbow Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Steelhead | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Wild Cutthroat TroutWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Wild Rainbow TroutWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
Within a 100' radius of the new Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery wheelchair ramp (within the posted fishing boundary)
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesOpen only to anglers with disabilities who have a designated harvester companion card. These anglers may fish within posted markers. · Closed at night | – | – | Year-round, Apr 1 – Nov 30 |
| Brook Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Brown Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Cutthroat Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Golden Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Hatchery Chinook SalmonHatchery fish only · Adult daily bag: 2 | 12" min | 6 | Jan 1 – Jul 31 |
| Hatchery Coho SalmonHatchery fish only · Adult daily bag: 2 · Adult daily bag: 3 | 12" min | 6 | Jan 1 – Jul 31, Aug 1 – Dec 31 |
| Hatchery SteelheadHatchery fish only | 20" min | 3 | Year-round |
| Lake Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Rainbow Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Steelhead | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Wild Cutthroat TroutWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Wild Rainbow TroutWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
6 more sections of Cowlitz River
From boundary markers near the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery water intake located about 1,700' upstream from the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery barrier dam to 400' below Mayfield Powerhouse
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brook Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Brown Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Cutthroat Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Golden Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Hatchery Chinook SalmonHatchery fish only · Adult daily bag: 2 | 12" min | 6 | Jan 1 – Jul 31 |
| Hatchery Coho SalmonHatchery fish only · Adult daily bag: 3 · Adult daily bag: 2 | 12" min | 6 | Aug 1 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Jul 31 |
| Hatchery SteelheadHatchery fish only | 20" min | 3 | Year-round |
| Lake Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Rainbow Trout | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Steelhead | 8" min | 5 | May 23 – Mar 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31 |
| Wild Cutthroat TroutWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Wild Rainbow TroutWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
From the posted PUD sign on Peters Road to the Forest Rd. 1270 (old Jody's Bridge)
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesClosed to all angling within posted “Closed Waters” signs around the adult fish release site. · Anti-snagging rule applies · Closed at night | – | – | Year-round, Sep 1 – Oct 31 |
| Hatchery Chinook SalmonHatchery fish only · Adult daily bag: 2 | 12" min | 6 | Year-round |
| Hatchery Coho SalmonHatchery fish only · Adult daily bag: 2 | 12" min | 6 | Year-round |
| Wild Cutthroat TroutWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Wild Rainbow TroutWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
From Forest Rd. 1270 (old Jody's Bridge) upstream and tributaries
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesNo Bait; Single Point Hook; Barbless | – | – | Year-round |
| Wild Cutthroat TroutWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Wild Rainbow TroutWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
From 400' below Mayfield Powerhouse upstream to Mayfield Dam
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish Species | – | – | Year-round · Closed |
From 400' or posted markers below the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery barrier dam to boundary markers near the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery water intake located about 1,700' upstream from the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery barrier dam
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish Species | – | – | Year-round · Closed |
Within a 100' radius of the new Cowlitz Trout Hatchery outfall structure
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesTwo-pole fishing allowed · Open only to anglers with disabilities who permanently use a wheelchair and who have a designated harvester companion card. These anglers may fish within posted markers when adjacent waters are open. | – | – | Year-round |
– means no limit is listed for this water. Rules not shown here follow Washington's statewide regulations.
Plan your Cowlitz River trip
Cowlitz River fishing: common questions
What fish have special regulations on Cowlitz River?
12 species have rules specific to Cowlitz River: Wild Cutthroat Trout, Wild Rainbow Trout, Hatchery Chinook Salmon, Hatchery Coho Salmon, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Golden Trout, and 4 more.
What is the wild cutthroat trout limit on Cowlitz River?
Wild Cutthroat Trout are catch and release only on Cowlitz River (from boundary markers at mouth to Lexington Bridge). Rules differ across 7 sections of the river.
What is the wild rainbow trout limit on Cowlitz River?
Wild Rainbow Trout are catch and release only on Cowlitz River (from boundary markers at mouth to Lexington Bridge). Rules differ across 7 sections of the river.
What is the hatchery chinook salmon limit on Cowlitz River?
Hatchery Chinook Salmon must be at least 12" to keep on Cowlitz River (from boundary markers at mouth to Lexington Bridge), and the daily bag limit is 6. Season: Jan 1 – Jul 31. Rules differ across 6 sections of the river.
Is Cowlitz River catch and release?
Some rules on Cowlitz River are catch and release only, covering Wild Cutthroat Trout and Wild Rainbow Trout. Check the table for the section and dates that apply.
Do Washington statewide fishing rules apply on Cowlitz River?
Where Cowlitz 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
- Green River · Duwamish
- Grays River · Wahkiakum
- Nisqually River · Pierce/Thurston
- Nooksack River · Whatcom
- Humptulips River · Grays Harbor
- Abernathy Creek · Cowlitz
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