Elk River Fishing Regulations
Grays Harbor County, Washington · 2026 size limits, bag limits, and seasons
Elk River is a river in Grays Harbor County, Washington. It has its own fishing regulations for 13 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 Elk River
Fish with special rules on Elk River
Tap a fish for identification tips, size records, and the best bait.
Elk River limits by species (2026)
From mouth (Hwy. 105 Bridge) to the confluence of Middle Branch
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesSingle Point Hook; Barbless | – | – | Aug 16 – Nov 30 |
 Atlantic Salmon | 12" min | 6 | Oct 1 – Oct 31, Nov 1 – Dec 31 |
 Brook Trout | – | – | May 23 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Feb 28 |
 Brown Trout | – | – | May 23 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Feb 28 |
 Chinook Salmon | – | Catch & release only | Oct 1 – Oct 31, Nov 1 – Dec 31 |
| 12" min | 6 | Oct 1 – Oct 31, Nov 1 – Dec 31 | |
 Coho Salmon | 12" min | 6 | Nov 1 – Dec 31, Oct 1 – Oct 31 |
 Cutthroat Trout | 14" min | – | May 23 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Feb 28 |
| – | – | May 23 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Feb 28 | |
 Golden Trout | – | – | May 23 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Feb 28 |
 Lake Trout | – | – | May 23 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Feb 28 |
 Pink Salmon | 12" min | 6 | Nov 1 – Dec 31, Oct 1 – Oct 31 |
 Rainbow Trout | – | – | May 23 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Feb 28 |
 Sockeye Salmon | 12" min | 6 | Oct 1 – Oct 31, Nov 1 – Dec 31 |
 Steelhead | – | – | May 23 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Feb 28 |
| Wild Rainbow Trout | 14" min | – | May 23 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Feb 28 |
From confluence of Middle Branch upstream
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brook Trout | – | – | May 23 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Feb 28 |
| Brown Trout | – | – | May 23 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Feb 28 |
| Cutthroat Trout | – | – | May 23 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Feb 28 |
| 14" min | – | May 23 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Feb 28 | |
| Golden Trout | – | – | May 23 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Feb 28 |
| Lake Trout | – | – | May 23 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Feb 28 |
| Rainbow Trout | – | – | May 23 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Feb 28 |
| Steelhead | – | – | May 23 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Feb 28 |
| Wild Rainbow Trout | 14" min | – | May 23 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Feb 28 |
– means no limit is listed for this water. Rules not shown here follow Washington's statewide regulations.
Plan your Elk River trip
Elk River fishing: common questions
What fish have special regulations on Elk River?
13 species have rules specific to Elk River: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Steelhead, and Wild Rainbow Trout, and 5 more.
What is the brook trout limit on Elk River?
No size limit is listed for Brook Trout on Elk River (from mouth (Hwy. 105 Bridge) to the confluence of Middle Branch). Season: May 23 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Feb 28. Rules differ across 2 sections of the river.
What is the brown trout limit on Elk River?
No size limit is listed for Brown Trout on Elk River (from mouth (Hwy. 105 Bridge) to the confluence of Middle Branch). Season: May 23 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Feb 28. Rules differ across 2 sections of the river.
What is the cutthroat trout limit on Elk River?
Cutthroat Trout must be at least 14" to keep on Elk River (from mouth (Hwy. 105 Bridge) to the confluence of Middle Branch). Season: May 23 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Feb 28. Limits change during the year. Rules differ across 2 sections of the river.
Is Elk River catch and release?
Some rules on Elk River are catch and release only, covering Chinook Salmon. Check the table for the section and dates that apply.
Do Washington statewide fishing rules apply on Elk River?
Where Elk 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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