Hoh River Fishing Regulations
Jefferson County, Washington · 2026 size limits, bag limits, and seasons
Hoh River is a river in Jefferson County, Washington. It has its own fishing regulations for 14 species, including Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Golden Trout, set separately for 3 sections of the river. These rules replace Washington's statewide limits on this water.
Map of Hoh River
Fish with special rules on Hoh River
Tap a fish for identification tips, size records, and the best bait.
Hoh River limits by species (2026)
From Olympic National Park boundary upstream to Dept. of Natural Resource's Oxbow Campground boat launch
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesInternal combustion motors prohibited. · Single Point Hook; Barbless | – | – | Always open |
| No Bait | – | – | Feb 16 – Apr 15, Jun 1 – Aug 31 |
 Atlantic SalmonUp to 2 adults including no more than 1 adult Chinook may be retained. | 12" min | 3 | Sep 16 – Nov 30 |
 Brook Trout | – | – | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15 |
 Brown Trout | – | – | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15 |
 Chinook SalmonUp to 2 adults including no more than 1 adult Chinook may be retained. | 12" min | 3 | Sep 16 – Nov 30 |
 Coho SalmonUp to 2 adults including no more than 1 adult Chinook may be retained. | 12" min | 3 | Sep 16 – Nov 30 |
| Release all salmon other than coho. | 12" min | 1 | Dec 1 – Dec 15 |
 Cutthroat Trout | 14" min | – | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15 |
| – | – | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15 | |
 Golden Trout | – | – | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15 |
| Hatchery SteelheadHatchery fish only | – | – | Feb 16 – Apr 15, Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Oct 31 |
| Hatchery fish only | 20" min | 3 | Nov 1 – Feb 15 |
 Lake Trout | – | – | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15 |
 Pink SalmonUp to 2 adults including no more than 1 adult Chinook may be retained. | 12" min | 3 | Sep 16 – Nov 30 |
 Rainbow Trout | – | – | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15 |
 Sockeye SalmonUp to 2 adults including no more than 1 adult Chinook may be retained. | 12" min | 3 | Sep 16 – Nov 30 |
 Steelhead | – | – | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15 |
| Wild Rainbow TroutWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15 |
From Dept. of Natural Resource's Oxbow Campground boat launch to Morgans Crossing boat launch
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesInternal combustion motors prohibited. · Single Point Hook; Barbless | – | – | Always open |
| No Bait | – | – | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Oct 15, Dec 1 – Apr 15 |
| Atlantic SalmonUp to 2 adults including no more than 1 adult Chinook may be retained. | 12" min | 3 | Oct 16 – Nov 30 |
| Brook Trout | – | – | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15 |
| Brown Trout | – | – | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15 |
| Chinook SalmonUp to 2 adults including no more than 1 adult Chinook may be retained. | 12" min | 3 | Oct 16 – Nov 30 |
| Coho SalmonUp to 2 adults including no more than 1 adult Chinook may be retained. | 12" min | 3 | Oct 16 – Nov 30 |
| Release all salmon other than coho. | 12" min | 1 | Dec 1 – Dec 15 |
| Cutthroat Trout | – | – | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15 |
| 14" min | – | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15 | |
| Golden Trout | – | – | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15 |
| Lake Trout | – | – | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15 |
| Pink SalmonUp to 2 adults including no more than 1 adult Chinook may be retained. | 12" min | 3 | Oct 16 – Nov 30 |
| Rainbow Trout | – | – | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15 |
| Sockeye SalmonUp to 2 adults including no more than 1 adult Chinook may be retained. | 12" min | 3 | Oct 16 – Nov 30 |
| Steelhead | – | – | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15 |
| Wild Rainbow TroutWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15 |
From Morgans Crossing boat launch site to Olympic National Park boundary below mouth of South Fork Hoh
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesSingle Point Hook; Barbless; No Bait; No Floating Device | – | – | Always open |
| Brook Trout | – | – | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15 |
| Brown Trout | – | – | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15 |
| Cutthroat Trout | 14" min | – | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15 |
| – | – | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15 | |
| Golden Trout | – | – | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15 |
| Lake Trout | – | – | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15 |
| Rainbow Trout | – | – | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15 |
| Steelhead | – | – | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15 |
| Wild Rainbow TroutWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15 |
– means no limit is listed for this water. Rules not shown here follow Washington's statewide regulations.
Plan your Hoh River trip
Hoh River fishing: common questions
What fish have special regulations on Hoh River?
14 species have rules specific to Hoh River: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Steelhead, and Wild Rainbow Trout, and 6 more.
What is the brook trout limit on Hoh River?
No size limit is listed for Brook Trout on Hoh River (from Olympic National Park boundary upstream to Dept. of Natural Resource's Oxbow Campground boat launch). Season: Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15. Rules differ across 3 sections of the river.
What is the brown trout limit on Hoh River?
No size limit is listed for Brown Trout on Hoh River (from Olympic National Park boundary upstream to Dept. of Natural Resource's Oxbow Campground boat launch). Season: Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15. Rules differ across 3 sections of the river.
What is the cutthroat trout limit on Hoh River?
Cutthroat Trout must be at least 14" to keep on Hoh River (from Olympic National Park boundary upstream to Dept. of Natural Resource's Oxbow Campground boat launch). Season: Jun 1 – Aug 31, Sep 16 – Apr 15. Limits change during the year. Rules differ across 3 sections of the river.
Is Hoh River catch and release?
Some rules on Hoh River are catch and release only, covering Wild Rainbow Trout. Check the table for the section and dates that apply.
Do Washington statewide fishing rules apply on Hoh River?
Where Hoh 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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