Wind River Fishing Regulations
Skamania County, Washington · 2026 size limits, bag limits, and seasons
Wind River is a river in Skamania County, Washington. It has its own fishing regulations for 17 species, including Atlantic Salmon, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, and Hatchery Steelhead, set separately for 8 sections of the river. These rules replace Washington's statewide limits on this water.
17 species with limits8 sections with their own rules
Map of Wind River
Fish with special rules on Wind River
Tap a fish for identification tips, size records, and the best bait.
Wind River limits by species (2026)
From boundary line markers at mouth to Hwy. 14 Bridge
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesMethod: Anti-snagging rule · Time of day: Night closure | – | – | Aug 1 – Oct 31, Mar 16 – Jun 30 |
 Atlantic SalmonAnglers may fish with 2 poles for salmon and steelhead with 2-Pole Endorsement. · Each angler aboard a vessel may deploy salmon/steelhead angling gear until the daily salmon/steelhead limit for all anglers aboard has been achieved. · Time of day: Night closure | – | – | Mar 16 – Jun 30, Jul 1 – Oct 31 |
| Daily limit 6 for salmon and hatchery steelhead combined, no more than 2 adult salmon or 1 of each with hatchery steelhead. | 12" min | 2 | Mar 16 – Jun 30 |
| No more than 2 adults. | 12" min | 6 | Jul 1 – Sep 30, Oct 1 – Oct 31 |
| – | Catch & release only | Nov 1 – Mar 15 | |
 Brook TroutStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | Year-round |
 Brown TroutStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | Year-round |
 Chinook SalmonTime of day: Night closure · Anglers may fish with 2 poles for salmon and steelhead with 2-Pole Endorsement. · Each angler aboard a vessel may deploy salmon/steelhead angling gear until the daily salmon/steelhead limit for all anglers aboard has been achieved. | – | – | Jul 1 – Oct 31, Mar 16 – Jun 30 |
| Daily limit 6 for salmon and hatchery steelhead combined, no more than 2 adult salmon or 1 of each with hatchery steelhead. | 12" min | 2 | Mar 16 – Jun 30 |
| No more than 2 adults. | 12" min | 6 | Jul 1 – Sep 30, Oct 1 – Oct 31 |
| – | Catch & release only | Nov 1 – Mar 15 | |
 Coho SalmonDaily limit 6 for salmon and hatchery steelhead combined, no more than 2 adult salmon or 1 of each with hatchery steelhead. | 12" min | 2 | Mar 16 – Jun 30 |
| Anglers may fish with 2 poles for salmon and steelhead with 2-Pole Endorsement. · Each angler aboard a vessel may deploy salmon/steelhead angling gear until the daily salmon/steelhead limit for all anglers aboard has been achieved. · Time of day: Night closure | – | – | Mar 16 – Jun 30, Jul 1 – Oct 31 |
| No more than 2 adults. | 12" min | 6 | Jul 1 – Sep 30, Oct 1 – Oct 31 |
| – | Catch & release only | Nov 1 – Mar 15 | |
 Cutthroat TroutStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | Year-round |
| – | Catch & release only | Year-round | |
 Golden TroutStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | Year-round |
| Hatchery SteelheadHatchery fish only · Daily limit 6 for salmon and hatchery steelhead combined, no more than 2 hatchery steelhead or 1 of each with adult salmon. | 12" min | 2 | Mar 16 – Jun 30 |
| Hatchery fish only | – | 3 | Nov 1 – Mar 15 |
 Lake TroutStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | Year-round |
| Other Game FishStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | Year-round |
 Pink SalmonDaily limit 6 for salmon and hatchery steelhead combined, no more than 2 adult salmon or 1 of each with hatchery steelhead. | 12" min | 2 | Mar 16 – Jun 30 |
| Anglers may fish with 2 poles for salmon and steelhead with 2-Pole Endorsement. · Each angler aboard a vessel may deploy salmon/steelhead angling gear until the daily salmon/steelhead limit for all anglers aboard has been achieved. · Time of day: Night closure | – | – | Mar 16 – Jun 30, Jul 1 – Oct 31 |
| No more than 2 adults. | 12" min | 6 | Jul 1 – Sep 30, Oct 1 – Oct 31 |
| – | Catch & release only | Nov 1 – Mar 15 | |
 Rainbow TroutStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | Year-round |
 Sockeye SalmonAnglers may fish with 2 poles for salmon and steelhead with 2-Pole Endorsement. · Each angler aboard a vessel may deploy salmon/steelhead angling gear until the daily salmon/steelhead limit for all anglers aboard has been achieved. · Time of day: Night closure | – | – | Mar 16 – Jun 30, Jul 1 – Oct 31 |
| Daily limit 6 for salmon and hatchery steelhead combined, no more than 2 adult salmon or 1 of each with hatchery steelhead. | 12" min | 2 | Mar 16 – Jun 30 |
| No more than 2 adults. | 12" min | 6 | Oct 1 – Oct 31, Jul 1 – Sep 30 |
| – | Catch & release only | Nov 1 – Mar 15 | |
 SteelheadStatewide min. size/daily limit. · Time of day: Night closure · Anglers may fish with 2 poles for salmon and steelhead with 2-Pole Endorsement. · Each angler aboard a vessel may deploy salmon/steelhead angling gear until the daily salmon/steelhead limit for all anglers aboard has been achieved. | – | – | Year-round, Jul 1 – Oct 31, Oct 1 – Oct 31, Mar 16 – Jun 30 · Closed |
| Wild Chinook SalmonWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Mar 16 – Jun 30, Jul 1 – Sep 30 |
| Wild Coho SalmonWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Jul 1 – Sep 30, Mar 16 – Jun 30, Oct 1 – Oct 31 |
| Wild Rainbow TroutWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
From Hwy. 14 Bridge to 400' downstream of Shipherd Falls fish ladder
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesMethod: Anti-snagging rule · Time of day: Night closure | – | – | Aug 1 – Oct 31, May 1 – Jun 30, Mar 16 – Jun 30 |
| Atlantic SalmonDaily limit 6 for salmon and hatchery steelhead combined, no more than 2 adult salmon or 1 of each with hatchery steelhead. | 12" min | 2 | Mar 16 – Jun 30 |
| Time of day: Night closure | – | – | Jul 1 – Oct 31 |
| No more than 2 adults. | 12" min | 6 | Jul 1 – Oct 31 |
| – | Catch & release only | Nov 1 – Mar 15 | |
| Brook TroutStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | Year-round |
| Brown TroutStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | Year-round |
| Chinook SalmonDaily limit 6 for salmon and hatchery steelhead combined, no more than 2 adult salmon or 1 of each with hatchery steelhead. | 12" min | 2 | Mar 16 – Jun 30 |
| No more than 2 adults. | 12" min | 6 | Jul 1 – Oct 31 |
| Time of day: Night closure | – | – | Jul 1 – Oct 31 |
| – | Catch & release only | Nov 1 – Mar 15 | |
| Coho SalmonDaily limit 6 for salmon and hatchery steelhead combined, no more than 2 adult salmon or 1 of each with hatchery steelhead. | 12" min | 2 | Mar 16 – Jun 30 |
| Time of day: Night closure | – | – | Jul 1 – Oct 31 |
| No more than 2 adults. | 12" min | 6 | Jul 1 – Oct 31 |
| – | Catch & release only | Nov 1 – Mar 15 | |
| Cutthroat Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Statewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | Year-round |
| Golden TroutStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | Year-round |
| Hatchery SteelheadHatchery fish only · Daily limit 6 for salmon and hatchery steelhead combined, no more than 2 hatchery steelhead or 1 of each with adult salmon. | 12" min | 2 | Mar 16 – Jun 30 |
| Hatchery fish only | 20" min | 3 | Nov 1 – Mar 15 |
| Lake TroutStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | Year-round |
| Other Game FishStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | Year-round |
| Pink SalmonDaily limit 6 for salmon and hatchery steelhead combined, no more than 2 adult salmon or 1 of each with hatchery steelhead. | 12" min | 2 | Mar 16 – Jun 30 |
| Time of day: Night closure | – | – | Jul 1 – Oct 31 |
| No more than 2 adults. | 12" min | 6 | Jul 1 – Oct 31 |
| – | Catch & release only | Nov 1 – Mar 15 | |
| Rainbow TroutStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | Year-round |
| Sockeye SalmonDaily limit 6 for salmon and hatchery steelhead combined, no more than 2 adult salmon or 1 of each with hatchery steelhead. | 12" min | 2 | Mar 16 – Jun 30 |
| Time of day: Night closure | – | – | Jul 1 – Oct 31 |
| No more than 2 adults. | 12" min | 6 | Jul 1 – Oct 31 |
| – | Catch & release only | Nov 1 – Mar 15 | |
| SteelheadStatewide min. size/daily limit. · Time of day: Night closure | – | – | Year-round, Jul 1 – Oct 31 · Closed |
| Wild Chinook SalmonWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Mar 16 – Jun 30, Jul 1 – Oct 31 |
| Wild Coho SalmonWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Jul 1 – Oct 31, Mar 16 – Jun 30 |
| Wild Rainbow TroutWild fish only | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
From 100' above Coffer Dam to 800 yards downstream of Carson National Fish Hatchery
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesMethod: Anti-snagging rule · Time of day: Night closure · Selective gear rules, except barbed hooks are allowed. | – | – | Year-round, Sep 16 – Nov 30 |
| All Game Fish | – | Catch & release only | Sep 16 – Nov 30 |
| Atlantic SalmonDaily limit 6 for salmon and hatchery steelhead combined, no more than 2 adult salmon or 1 of each with hatchery steelhead. | 12" min | 2 | May 1 – Jun 30 |
| Chinook SalmonDaily limit 6 for salmon and hatchery steelhead combined, no more than 2 adult salmon or 1 of each with hatchery steelhead. | 12" min | 2 | May 1 – Jun 30 |
| Coho SalmonDaily limit 6 for salmon and hatchery steelhead combined, no more than 2 adult salmon or 1 of each with hatchery steelhead. | 12" min | 2 | May 1 – Jun 30 |
| Hatchery SteelheadHatchery fish only · Daily limit 6 for salmon and hatchery steelhead combined, no more than 2 hatchery steelhead or 1 of each with adult salmon. | 12" min | 2 | May 1 – Jun 30 |
| Pink SalmonDaily limit 6 for salmon and hatchery steelhead combined, no more than 2 adult salmon or 1 of each with hatchery steelhead. | 12" min | 2 | May 1 – Jun 30 |
| Sockeye SalmonDaily limit 6 for salmon and hatchery steelhead combined, no more than 2 adult salmon or 1 of each with hatchery steelhead. | 12" min | 2 | May 1 – Jun 30 |
From 100' above Shipherd Falls to 400' below Coffer Dam (at river mile 2.93)
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesMethod: Anti-snagging rule · Time of day: Night closure · Selective gear rules, except barbed hooks are allowed. | – | – | Year-round, Sep 16 – Nov 30 |
| All Game Fish | – | Catch & release only | Sep 16 – Nov 30 |
| Atlantic SalmonDaily limit 6 for salmon and hatchery steelhead combined, no more than 2 adult salmon or 1 of each with hatchery steelhead. | 12" min | 2 | May 1 – Jun 30 |
| Chinook SalmonDaily limit 6 for salmon and hatchery steelhead combined, no more than 2 adult salmon or 1 of each with hatchery steelhead. | 12" min | 2 | May 1 – Jun 30 |
| Coho SalmonDaily limit 6 for salmon and hatchery steelhead combined, no more than 2 adult salmon or 1 of each with hatchery steelhead. | 12" min | 2 | May 1 – Jun 30 |
| Hatchery SteelheadHatchery fish only · Daily limit 6 for salmon and hatchery steelhead combined, no more than 2 hatchery steelhead or 1 of each with adult salmon. | 12" min | 2 | May 1 – Jun 30 |
| Pink SalmonDaily limit 6 for salmon and hatchery steelhead combined, no more than 2 adult salmon or 1 of each with hatchery steelhead. | 12" min | 2 | May 1 – Jun 30 |
| Sockeye SalmonDaily limit 6 for salmon and hatchery steelhead combined, no more than 2 adult salmon or 1 of each with hatchery steelhead. | 12" min | 2 | May 1 – Jun 30 |
4 more sections of Wind River
From 800 yards downstream of Carson National Fish Hatchery to Moore Bridge
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesSelective gear rules, except barbed hooks are allowed. | – | – | Year-round |
| All Game Fish | – | Catch & release only | Sep 16 – Nov 30 |
From 400' below to 100' above Coffer Dam (at river mile 2.93)
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish Species | – | – | Year-round · Closed |
From 400' below to 100' above Shipherd Falls fish ladder
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish Species | – | – | Year-round · Closed |
From Moore Bridge upstream
| 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 Wind River trip
Wind River fishing: common questions
What fish have special regulations on Wind River?
17 species have rules specific to Wind River: Atlantic Salmon, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Hatchery Steelhead, Pink Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, Brook Trout, and Brown Trout, and 9 more.
What is the atlantic salmon limit on Wind River?
No size limit is listed for Atlantic Salmon on Wind River (from boundary line markers at mouth to Hwy. 14 Bridge). Season: Mar 16 – Jun 30, Jul 1 – Oct 31. Limits change during the year. Rules differ across 4 sections of the river.
What is the chinook salmon limit on Wind River?
No size limit is listed for Chinook Salmon on Wind River (from boundary line markers at mouth to Hwy. 14 Bridge). Season: Jul 1 – Oct 31, Mar 16 – Jun 30. Limits change during the year. Rules differ across 4 sections of the river.
What is the coho salmon limit on Wind River?
Coho Salmon must be at least 12" to keep on Wind River (from boundary line markers at mouth to Hwy. 14 Bridge), and the daily bag limit is 2. Season: Mar 16 – Jun 30. Limits change during the year. Rules differ across 4 sections of the river.
Is Wind River catch and release?
Some rules on Wind River are catch and release only, covering Atlantic Salmon, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Cutthroat Trout, and Pink Salmon and others. Check the table for the section and dates that apply.
Do Washington statewide fishing rules apply on Wind River?
Where Wind 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
- 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
- Abernathy Creek · Cowlitz
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