Vancouver Lake Fishing Regulations
Clark County, Washington · 2026 size limits, bag limits, and seasons
Vancouver Lake is a lake in Clark County, Washington. It has its own fishing regulations for 12 species, including Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Channel Catfish, and Common Carp, set separately for 2 sections of the lake. These rules replace Washington's statewide limits on this water.
Map of Vancouver Lake
Fish with special rules on Vancouver Lake
Tap a fish for identification tips, size records, and the best bait.
Vancouver Lake limits by species (2026)
And all other waters west of Burlington-Northern RR from Columbia River drawbridge near Vancouver downstream to Lewis River
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesChumming permitted. Two-Pole not allowed. | – | – | Always open |
 Brook Trout | 14" min | 2 | Year-round |
 Brown Trout | 14" min | 2 | Year-round |
 Channel Catfish | – | 10 | Year-round |
 Common CarpA fishing license is not required to fish for and retain common carp in Vancouver Lake. · No daily limit. | – | – | Year-round |
 Cutthroat Trout | 14" min | 2 | Year-round |
 Golden Trout | 14" min | 2 | Year-round |
 Lake Trout | 14" min | 2 | Year-round |
 Largemouth BassExcept 1 over 17” may be retained. | 12" max | 10 | Year-round |
 Rainbow Trout | 14" min | 2 | Year-round |
 Smallmouth BassOnly 1 over 14” may be retained. | – | 15 | Year-round |
 Steelhead | 14" min | 2 | Year-round |
 WalleyeOnly 1 over 22” may be retained. | – | 16 | Year-round |
Vancouver Lake flushing channel and the lake shoreline 400' east and west from the channel exit
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish Species | – | – | Apr 1 – May 31 · Closed |
– means no limit is listed for this water. Rules not shown here follow Washington's statewide regulations.
Plan your Vancouver Lake trip
Vancouver Lake fishing: common questions
What fish have special regulations on Vancouver Lake?
12 species have rules specific to Vancouver Lake: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, Lake Trout, and Largemouth Bass, and 4 more.
What is the brook trout limit on Vancouver Lake?
Brook Trout must be at least 14" to keep on Vancouver Lake (and all other waters west of Burlington-Northern RR from Columbia River drawbridge near Vancouver downstream to Lewis River), and the daily bag limit is 2.
What is the brown trout limit on Vancouver Lake?
Brown Trout must be at least 14" to keep on Vancouver Lake (and all other waters west of Burlington-Northern RR from Columbia River drawbridge near Vancouver downstream to Lewis River), and the daily bag limit is 2.
What is the channel catfish limit on Vancouver Lake?
No size limit is listed for Channel Catfish on Vancouver Lake (and all other waters west of Burlington-Northern RR from Columbia River drawbridge near Vancouver downstream to Lewis River), and the daily bag limit is 10.
Do Washington statewide fishing rules apply on Vancouver Lake?
Where Vancouver Lake 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 Vancouver Lake rules on the water
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