Deschutes River Fishing Regulations
Thurston County, Washington · 2026 size limits, bag limits, and seasons
Deschutes River is a river in Thurston County, Washington. It has its own fishing regulations for 13 species, including Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Chinook Salmon. These rules replace Washington's statewide limits on this water.
Map of Deschutes River
Fish with special rules on Deschutes River
Tap a fish for identification tips, size records, and the best bait.
Deschutes River limits by species (2026)
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
 Atlantic Salmon | 12" min | 6 | Year-round |
 Brook Trout | – | – | Year-round |
 Brown Trout | – | – | Year-round |
 Chinook Salmon | 12" min | 6 | Year-round |
 Coho Salmon | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| 12" min | 6 | Year-round | |
 Cutthroat Trout | – | – | Year-round |
| – | Catch & release only | Year-round | |
 Golden Trout | – | – | Year-round |
 Lake Trout | – | – | Year-round |
 Pink Salmon | 12" min | 6 | Year-round |
 Rainbow Trout | – | – | Year-round |
 Sockeye Salmon | 12" min | 6 | Year-round |
 Steelhead | – | – | Year-round |
| Wild Rainbow Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
– means no limit is listed for this water. Rules not shown here follow Washington's statewide regulations.
Plan your Deschutes River trip
Deschutes River fishing: common questions
What fish have special regulations on Deschutes River?
13 species have rules specific to Deschutes River: Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, and Lake Trout, and 5 more.
What is the atlantic salmon limit on Deschutes River?
Atlantic Salmon must be at least 12" to keep on Deschutes River, and the daily bag limit is 6.
What is the brook trout limit on Deschutes River?
No size limit is listed for Brook Trout on Deschutes River.
What is the brown trout limit on Deschutes River?
No size limit is listed for Brown Trout on Deschutes River.
Is Deschutes River catch and release?
Some rules on Deschutes River are catch and release only, covering Coho Salmon, Cutthroat Trout, and Wild Rainbow Trout. Check the table for the section and dates that apply.
Do Washington statewide fishing rules apply on Deschutes River?
Where Deschutes 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 Deschutes River rules on the water
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