Salmon River Fishing Regulations
Jefferson County, Washington · 2026 size limits, bag limits, and seasons
Salmon River is a river in Jefferson County, Washington. It has its own fishing regulations for 10 species, including Atlantic Salmon, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, and Cutthroat Trout. These rules replace Washington's statewide limits on this water.
Map of Salmon River
Fish with special rules on Salmon River
Tap a fish for identification tips, size records, and the best bait.
Salmon River limits by species (2026)
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesOnly one barbless hook allowed · Motors prohibited: Internal combustion motors prohibited · Barbless | – | – | Year-round |
 Atlantic Salmon | 12" min | 2 | Feb 1 – Aug 31 |
| Up to 3 adults including no more than 1 wild adult may be retained. · Adult daily bag: 3 | 12" min | 4 | Sep 16 – Dec 15, Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
 Chinook Salmon | 12" min | 2 | Feb 1 – Aug 31 |
| Up to 3 adults including no more than 1 wild adult may be retained. · Adult daily bag: 3 | 12" min | 4 | Sep 1 – Sep 15, Sep 16 – Dec 15 |
 Coho Salmon | 12" min | 2 | Feb 1 – Aug 31 |
| Up to 3 adults including no more than 1 wild adult may be retained. · Adult daily bag: 3 | 12" min | 4 | Sep 1 – Sep 15, Sep 16 – Dec 15 |
 Cutthroat Trout | 14" min | – | Year-round |
| Hatchery SteelheadHatchery fish only | – | – | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Hatchery fish only | 20" min | 3 | Nov 1 – Feb 28 |
 Pink Salmon | 12" min | 2 | Feb 1 – Aug 31 |
| Up to 3 adults including no more than 1 wild adult may be retained. · Adult daily bag: 3 | 12" min | 4 | Sep 1 – Sep 15, Sep 16 – Dec 15 |
 Sockeye Salmon | – | Catch & release only | Sep 16 – Dec 15, Feb 1 – Aug 31, Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| 12" min | 2 | Feb 1 – Aug 31 | |
| Up to 3 adults including no more than 1 wild adult may be retained. · Adult daily bag: 3 | 12" min | 4 | Sep 1 – Sep 15, Sep 16 – Dec 15 |
| Wild Chinook SalmonAdult · Wild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Feb 1 – Aug 31 |
| Wild Coho SalmonAdult · Wild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Sep 1 – Sep 15, Feb 1 – Aug 31 |
| Wild Rainbow TroutWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
– means no limit is listed for this water. Rules not shown here follow Washington's statewide regulations.
Plan your Salmon River trip
Salmon River fishing: common questions
What fish have special regulations on Salmon River?
10 species have rules specific to Salmon River: Atlantic Salmon, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Cutthroat Trout, Hatchery Steelhead, Pink Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, and Wild Chinook Salmon, and 2 more.
What is the atlantic salmon limit on Salmon River?
Atlantic Salmon must be at least 12" to keep on Salmon River, and the daily bag limit is 2. Season: Feb 1 – Aug 31. Limits change during the year.
What is the chinook salmon limit on Salmon River?
Chinook Salmon must be at least 12" to keep on Salmon River, and the daily bag limit is 2. Season: Feb 1 – Aug 31. Limits change during the year.
What is the coho salmon limit on Salmon River?
Coho Salmon must be at least 12" to keep on Salmon River, and the daily bag limit is 2. Season: Feb 1 – Aug 31. Limits change during the year.
Is Salmon River catch and release?
Some rules on Salmon River are catch and release only, covering Sockeye Salmon, Wild Chinook Salmon, Wild Coho Salmon, and Wild Rainbow Trout. Check the table for the section and dates that apply.
Do Washington statewide fishing rules apply on Salmon River?
Where Salmon 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 Salmon River rules on the water
Identify your catch, check if it's a keeper, and log it. CatchVault is on iOS, with Android on the way.