Puyallup River Fishing Regulations
Pierce County, Washington · 2026 size limits, bag limits, and seasons
Puyallup River is a river in Pierce County, Washington. It has its own fishing regulations for 9 species, including Cutthroat Trout, Wild Rainbow Trout, Atlantic Salmon, and Chinook Salmon, set separately for 5 sections of the river. These rules replace Washington's statewide limits on this water.
Map of Puyallup River
Fish with special rules on Puyallup River
Tap a fish for identification tips, size records, and the best bait.
Puyallup River limits by species (2026)
From 400' upstream of Clark's Creek to East Main Bridge
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesAnti-snagging rule applies · Closed at night · Barbless | – | – | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
| Closure days: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday | – | – | Aug 16 – Sep 30 |
 Atlantic SalmonUp to 4 adults including no more than 2 adult Chinook or 2 adult coho or 1 of each may be retained. · Adult daily bag: 4 | 12" min | 6 | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
 Chinook SalmonUp to 4 adults including no more than 2 adult Chinook or 2 adult coho or 1 of each may be retained. · Adult daily bag: 4 | 12" min | 6 | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
 Chum Salmon | – | Catch & release only | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
 Coho SalmonUp to 4 adults including no more than 2 adult Chinook or 2 adult coho or 1 of each may be retained. · Adult daily bag: 4 | 12" min | 6 | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
 Cutthroat Trout | – | Catch & release only | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
 Pink SalmonUp to 4 adults including no more than 2 adult Chinook or 2 adult coho or 1 of each may be retained. · Adult daily bag: 4 | 12" min | 6 | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
 Sockeye SalmonUp to 4 adults including no more than 2 adult Chinook or 2 adult coho or 1 of each may be retained. · Adult daily bag: 4 | 12" min | 6 | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
| Wild Chinook SalmonWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
| Wild Rainbow TroutWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
From East Main Bridge to Carbon River
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesClosure days: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday | – | – | Aug 16 – Sep 30 |
| Anti-snagging rule applies · Closed at night · Barbless | – | – | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
| Atlantic SalmonUp to 4 adults including no more than 2 adult Chinook or 2 adult coho or 1 of each may be retained. · Adult daily bag: 4 | 12" min | 6 | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
| Chinook SalmonUp to 4 adults including no more than 2 adult Chinook or 2 adult coho or 1 of each may be retained. · Adult daily bag: 4 | 12" min | 6 | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
| Chum Salmon | – | Catch & release only | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
| Coho SalmonUp to 4 adults including no more than 2 adult Chinook or 2 adult coho or 1 of each may be retained. · Adult daily bag: 4 | 12" min | 6 | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
| Cutthroat Trout | – | Catch & release only | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
| Pink SalmonUp to 4 adults including no more than 2 adult Chinook or 2 adult coho or 1 of each may be retained. · Adult daily bag: 4 | 12" min | 6 | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
| Sockeye SalmonUp to 4 adults including no more than 2 adult Chinook or 2 adult coho or 1 of each may be retained. · Adult daily bag: 4 | 12" min | 6 | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
| Wild Chinook SalmonWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
| Wild Rainbow TroutWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
From the 11th St. Bridge to 400' downstream of Clark's
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesAnti-snagging rule applies · Closed at night · Barbless | – | – | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
| Closure days: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday | – | – | Aug 16 – Sep 30 |
| Atlantic SalmonUp to 4 adults including no more than 2 adult Chinook or 2 adult coho or 1 of each may be retained. · Adult daily bag: 4 | 12" min | 6 | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
| Chinook SalmonUp to 4 adults including no more than 2 adult Chinook or 2 adult coho or 1 of each may be retained. · Adult daily bag: 4 | 12" min | 6 | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
| Chum Salmon | – | Catch & release only | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
| Coho SalmonUp to 4 adults including no more than 2 adult Chinook or 2 adult coho or 1 of each may be retained. · Adult daily bag: 4 | 12" min | 6 | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
| Cutthroat Trout | – | Catch & release only | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
| Pink SalmonUp to 4 adults including no more than 2 adult Chinook or 2 adult coho or 1 of each may be retained. · Adult daily bag: 4 | 12" min | 6 | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
| Sockeye SalmonUp to 4 adults including no more than 2 adult Chinook or 2 adult coho or 1 of each may be retained. · Adult daily bag: 4 | 12" min | 6 | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
| Wild Chinook SalmonWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
| Wild Rainbow TroutWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Aug 16 – Oct 31 |
From Carbon River upstream
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesArtificial Only; No Bait; Single Point Hook; Barbless | – | – | Year-round |
| Cutthroat Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round · Opens Saturday before Memorial Day |
| Wild Rainbow TroutWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Year-round · Opens Saturday before Memorial Day |
1 more section of Puyallup River
From 400' downstream to 400' upstream of Clark's Creek
| 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 Puyallup River trip
Puyallup River fishing: common questions
What fish have special regulations on Puyallup River?
9 species have rules specific to Puyallup River: Cutthroat Trout, Wild Rainbow Trout, Atlantic Salmon, Chinook Salmon, Chum Salmon, Coho Salmon, Pink Salmon, and Sockeye Salmon, and 1 more.
What is the cutthroat trout limit on Puyallup River?
Cutthroat Trout are catch and release only on Puyallup River (from 400' upstream of Clark's Creek to East Main Bridge). Season: Aug 16 – Oct 31. Rules differ across 4 sections of the river.
What is the wild rainbow trout limit on Puyallup River?
Wild Rainbow Trout are catch and release only on Puyallup River (from 400' upstream of Clark's Creek to East Main Bridge). Season: Aug 16 – Oct 31. Rules differ across 4 sections of the river.
What is the atlantic salmon limit on Puyallup River?
Atlantic Salmon must be at least 12" to keep on Puyallup River (from 400' upstream of Clark's Creek to East Main Bridge), and the daily bag limit is 6. Season: Aug 16 – Oct 31. Rules differ across 3 sections of the river.
Is Puyallup River catch and release?
Some rules on Puyallup River are catch and release only, covering Chum Salmon, Cutthroat Trout, Wild Chinook Salmon, and Wild Rainbow Trout. Check the table for the section and dates that apply.
Do Washington statewide fishing rules apply on Puyallup River?
Where Puyallup 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 Puyallup River rules on the water
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