Emergency Rule Updates and News Please note: These updates reflect changes to the Sportfishing Pamphlet. Rules found in the Sportfishing Pamphlet are in effect unless otherwise noted in the changes listed below. Rule Changes > All Emergency Rule Updates This list shows all emergency rules currently in effect. For expired emergency rules, see Historical Rule Updates. November 2018 Part of Whatcom Creek to close to fishing Lifts night closures, restrictions on steelhead retention on lower sections of Wind and White Salmon Rivers Columbia River salmon and steelhead fisheries reopen Jan. 1 Fishing closures set for Lewis River and Cedar Creek Hanford Reach steelhead fishery to close Nov.10 Sekiu River hatchery steelhead may also be identified by dorsal fin height Hoko River hatchery steelhead may also be identified by dorsal fin height October 2018 Gamefish season extended at Whatcom County's Padden Lake Recreational crabbing using pot gear to open Nov. 15 in Willapa Bay Dungeness River to reopen to fishing A portion of the Skagit River to close to all fishing Drano Lake to close to all fishing Salmon angling to open on the Naselle River October 16 Tilton River closed waters area to be reduced to 100 feet Yakima River fall salmon fishery to close Lower Samish River re-opens to fishing Oct. 13 Some areas of Puget Sound reopening for late-season recreational crab fishing Grays and West Fork Grays rivers to close for hatchery coho retention Chinook salmon retention to close on Toutle, North Fork Toutle rivers September 2018 Most Willapa Bay tributaries to open for coho Salmon fishing to re-open in Marine 2-1 and the Willapa Bay Control Zone Washougal River to close to the retention of chinook salmon Chinook salmon retention to close on the lower Cowlitz River Anglers must release steelhead in the Hanford Reach 2018/2019 Sport Fishing Rules Pamphlet updates and clarifications - Lakes and Streams (These are corrections to the pamphlet, they are not emergency rules.) August 2018 WDFW announces clam and oyster seasons for North Bay (Case Inlet) Grande Ronde River Steelhead Fishery Change Snake River Steelhead Fishery Change Touchet River Steelhead Fishery Change Tucannon River Steelhead Fishery Change Walla Walla River Steelhead Fishery Change July 2018 Finalizes Canadian-origin salmon transportion rule 2018/2019 Sport Fishing Rules Pamphlet updates and clarifications - Marine Areas (These are corrections to the pamphlet, they are not emergency rules.) May 2018 Rainbow Lake to close to fishing for the season September 2017 Game fish daily limits and size restrictions to be suspended on 5 eastern Washington lakes For more information, please contact WDFW Fish Program. E-mail: fishregs@dfw.wa.gov