Yakima River Fishing Regulations
Benton County, Washington · 2026 size limits, bag limits, and seasons
Yakima River is a river in Benton County, Washington. It has its own fishing regulations for 14 species, including Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Golden Trout, set separately for 19 sections of the river. These rules replace Washington's statewide limits on this water.
14 species with limits19 sections with their own rules
Map of Yakima River
Fish with special rules on Yakima River
Tap a fish for identification tips, size records, and the best bait.
Yakima River limits by species (2026)
From 200' upstream of the USBR Chandler Powerhouse to the downstream side of the westbound I-82 Bridge at Prosser
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesChumming permitted. Two-Pole allowed. | – | – | Year-round |
 Atlantic SalmonBarbless | – | – | Year-round |
 Brook Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
 Brown Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
 Chinook SalmonBarbless | – | – | Year-round |
| Time of day: Night closure · No more than 2 adults. | 12" min | 6 | Sep 15 – Oct 31 |
 Coho SalmonBarbless | – | – | Year-round |
| Time of day: Night closure · No more than 2 adults. | 12" min | 6 | Sep 15 – Oct 31 |
 Cutthroat Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
 Golden Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
 Lake Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Other Game FishStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
 Pink SalmonBarbless | – | – | Year-round |
 Rainbow Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
 Sockeye SalmonBarbless | – | – | Year-round |
 SteelheadBarbless | – | – | Year-round |
| – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
From Horn Rapids Dam to 200' downstream of the USBR Chandler Powerhouse
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesTwo-Pole allowed. Chumming permitted. | – | – | Year-round |
| Atlantic SalmonBarbless | – | – | Year-round |
| Brook Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Brown Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Chinook SalmonBarbless | – | – | Year-round |
| Time of day: Night closure · No more than 2 adults. | 12" min | 6 | Sep 15 – Oct 31 |
| Coho SalmonBarbless | – | – | Year-round |
| Time of day: Night closure · No more than 2 adults. | 12" min | 6 | Sep 15 – Oct 31 |
| Cutthroat Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Golden Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Lake Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Other Game FishStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Pink SalmonBarbless | – | – | Year-round |
| Rainbow Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Sockeye SalmonBarbless | – | – | Year-round |
| SteelheadBarbless | – | – | Year-round |
| – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
From mouth (Hwy. 240 Bridge) to 400' downstream of Horn Rapids (Wanawish) Dam
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesChumming permitted. Two-Pole allowed. | – | – | Year-round |
| Atlantic SalmonBarbless | – | – | Year-round |
| Brook Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Brown Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Chinook SalmonBarbless | – | – | Year-round |
| Time of day: Night closure · No more than 2 adults. | 12" min | 6 | Sep 15 – Oct 31 |
| Coho SalmonBarbless | – | – | Year-round |
| Time of day: Night closure · No more than 2 adults. | 12" min | 6 | Sep 15 – Oct 31 |
| Cutthroat Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Golden Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Lake Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Other Game FishStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Pink SalmonBarbless | – | – | Year-round |
| Rainbow Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Sockeye SalmonBarbless | – | – | Year-round |
| SteelheadBarbless | – | – | Year-round |
| – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
From the downstream side of the westbound I-82 Bridge in Prosser to the Grant Ave. Bridge in Prosser
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesChumming permitted. Two-Pole allowed. | – | – | Year-round |
| No Floating Device | – | – | Sep 15 – Nov 15 |
| Atlantic SalmonBarbless | – | – | Year-round |
| Brook Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Brown Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Chinook SalmonBarbless | – | – | Year-round |
| No more than 2 adults. | 12" min | 6 | Sep 15 – Nov 15 |
| Coho SalmonBarbless | – | – | Year-round |
| No more than 2 adults. | 12" min | 6 | Sep 15 – Nov 15 |
| Cutthroat Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Golden Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Lake Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Other Game FishStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Pink SalmonBarbless | – | – | Year-round |
| Rainbow Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Sockeye SalmonBarbless | – | – | Year-round |
| SteelheadBarbless | – | – | Year-round |
| – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
15 more sections of Yakima River
From 400' upstream of Yakima Ave-Terrace Heights Bridge in Yakima to 3,500' downstream of Roza Dam
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesSelective gear rules | – | – | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Brook Trout | 14" min | 2 | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Brown Trout | 14" min | 2 | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Cutthroat Trout | 14" min | 2 | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Golden Trout | 14" min | 2 | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Lake Trout | 14" min | 2 | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
 Mountain WhitefishStatewide min. size/daily limit. Whitefish gear rules. Open for whitefish only. | – | – | Dec 1 – Feb 28 |
| Other Game FishStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Rainbow Trout | 14" min | 2 | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Steelhead | 14" min | 2 | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
From Hwy. 223 Bridge to 400' downstream of Sunnyside (Parker) Dam
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesSelective gear rules | – | – | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Brook Trout | 14" min | 2 | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Brown Trout | 14" min | 2 | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Cutthroat Trout | 14" min | 2 | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Golden Trout | 14" min | 2 | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Lake Trout | 14" min | 2 | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Mountain WhitefishStatewide min. size/daily limit. Whitefish gear rules. Open for whitefish only. | – | – | Dec 1 – Feb 28 |
| Other Game FishStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Rainbow Trout | 14" min | 2 | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Steelhead | 14" min | 2 | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
From Roza Dam to US Bureau of Reclamation restricted area signs
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesInternal combustion motors prohibited. | – | – | Year-round |
| Brook TroutSelective gear rules | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Brown TroutSelective gear rules | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Cutthroat TroutSelective gear rules | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Golden TroutSelective gear rules | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Lake TroutSelective gear rules | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Mountain WhitefishStatewide min. size/daily limit. Whitefish gear rules. | – | – | Dec 1 – Feb 28 |
| Other Game FishSelective gear rules · Statewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | Year-round |
| Rainbow TroutSelective gear rules | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| SteelheadSelective gear rules | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
From Sunnyside (Parker) Dam to the Yakima Ave.-Terrace Heights Bridge
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesSelective gear rules | – | – | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Brook Trout | 14" min | 2 | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Brown Trout | 14" min | 2 | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Cutthroat Trout | 14" min | 2 | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Golden Trout | 14" min | 2 | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Lake Trout | 14" min | 2 | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Mountain WhitefishStatewide min. size/daily limit. Whitefish gear rules. Open for whitefish only. | – | – | Dec 1 – Feb 28 |
| Other Game FishStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Rainbow Trout | 14" min | 2 | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Steelhead | 14" min | 2 | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
From the boat launch ramp on the Roza Access Area to 400' below Easton Dam; including the portion of Wilson Creek from the mouth upstream to the BNSF Railroad Bridge
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesInternal combustion motors prohibited. | – | – | Year-round |
| Brook TroutSelective gear rules | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Brown TroutSelective gear rules | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Cutthroat TroutSelective gear rules | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Golden TroutSelective gear rules | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Lake TroutSelective gear rules | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Mountain WhitefishStatewide min. size/daily limit. Whitefish gear rules. | – | – | Dec 1 – Feb 28 |
| Other Game FishSelective gear rules · Statewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | Year-round |
| Rainbow TroutSelective gear rules | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| SteelheadSelective gear rules | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
From 200' downstream of the USBR Chandler Powerhouse to 200' upstream of the USBR Chandler Powerhouse
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesTwo-Pole allowed. Chumming permitted. | – | – | Sep 1 – Oct 31, Year-round · Closed |
| Brook Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Aug 31 |
| Brown Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Aug 31 |
| Cutthroat Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Aug 31 |
| Golden Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Aug 31 |
| Lake Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Aug 31 |
| Other Game FishStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | Mar 1 – Aug 31 |
| Rainbow Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Aug 31 |
| SteelheadBarbless | – | – | Year-round |
| – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Aug 31 |
From Easton Dam to Keechelus Dam, including Easton Lake
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesSelective gear rules | – | – | Year-round |
| Brook TroutStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Brown TroutStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Cutthroat TroutStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| – | Catch & release only | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 | |
| Golden TroutStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Lake TroutStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Other Game FishStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| Rainbow TroutStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
| – | Catch & release only | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 | |
| SteelheadStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | May 23 – Oct 31 · Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 |
From the US Bureau of Reclamation restricted areas signs at Roza Dam upstream to the boat launch ramp on the Roza access area (approx. 1.3 river miles)
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brook TroutSelective gear rules | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Brown TroutSelective gear rules | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Cutthroat TroutSelective gear rules | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Golden TroutSelective gear rules | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Lake TroutSelective gear rules | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Mountain WhitefishStatewide min. size/daily limit. Whitefish gear rules. | – | – | Dec 1 – Feb 28 |
| Other Game FishSelective gear rules · Statewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | Year-round |
| Rainbow TroutSelective gear rules | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| SteelheadSelective gear rules | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
From Prosser Dam to Hwy. 223 Bridge
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brook Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Brown Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Cutthroat Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Golden Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Lake Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Other Game FishStatewide min. size/daily limit. | – | – | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| Rainbow Trout | – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
| SteelheadBarbless | – | – | Year-round |
| – | Catch & release only | Mar 1 – Oct 31 |
From 3500' downstream of Roza Dam to Roza Dam
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish Species | – | – | Year-round · Closed |
From 400' downstream of Easton Dam to dam
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish Species | – | – | Year-round · Closed |
From 400' downstream of Horn Rapids (Wanawish) Dam to Horn Rapids Dam
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish Species | – | – | Year-round · Closed |
From 400' downstream of Sunnyside (Parker) Dam to the Dam
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish Species | – | – | Year-round · Closed |
From Grant Ave. Bridge in Prosser to Prosser Dam
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish Species | – | – | Year-round · Closed |
From Yakima Ave.-Terrace Heights Bridge in Yakima upstream 400'
| 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 Yakima River trip
Yakima River fishing: common questions
What fish have special regulations on Yakima River?
14 species have rules specific to Yakima River: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, Lake Trout, Other Game Fish, Rainbow Trout, and Steelhead, and 6 more.
What is the brook trout limit on Yakima River?
Brook Trout are catch and release only on Yakima River (from 200' upstream of the USBR Chandler Powerhouse to the downstream side of the westbound I-82 Bridge at Prosser). Season: Mar 1 – Oct 31. Rules differ across 13 sections of the river.
What is the brown trout limit on Yakima River?
Brown Trout are catch and release only on Yakima River (from 200' upstream of the USBR Chandler Powerhouse to the downstream side of the westbound I-82 Bridge at Prosser). Season: Mar 1 – Oct 31. Rules differ across 13 sections of the river.
What is the cutthroat trout limit on Yakima River?
Cutthroat Trout are catch and release only on Yakima River (from 200' upstream of the USBR Chandler Powerhouse to the downstream side of the westbound I-82 Bridge at Prosser). Season: Mar 1 – Oct 31. Rules differ across 13 sections of the river.
Is Yakima River catch and release?
Some rules on Yakima River are catch and release only, covering Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, and Lake Trout and others. Check the table for the section and dates that apply.
Do Washington statewide fishing rules apply on Yakima River?
Where Yakima 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
- 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
- Abernathy Creek · Cowlitz
Take Yakima River rules on the water
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