Section 220-56-500. Game fish seasons—General rules.

It is unlawful to fish for game fish except during the seasons and times below.

(1) Freshwater lakes, ponds and reservoirs: Open year-round except as provided for in WAC 220-310-175 through 220-310-200.

(2) Freshwater rivers, streams, and beaver ponds:

(a) Rivers, streams, and beaver ponds that drain into Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Pacific Ocean (excluding the Columbia River), Grays Harbor, and Willapa Bay are closed to fishing for game fish unless otherwise provided in department rule.

(b) All rivers, streams, and beaver ponds listed in WAC 220-310-175 through 220-310-200: Open the first Saturday in June through October 31 except as otherwise provided for in WAC 220-310-175 through 220-310-200.

(3) Saltwater (all waters downstream and seaward of the mouths of rivers and streams generally defined in WAC 220-16-245 and specifically defined in WAC 220-56-105): Open year-round, except:

(a) Lake Washington Ship Canal - Those waters of Area 10 west of the Lake Washington Ship Canal to a north-south line 175 feet west of the Burlington-Northern Railroad Bridge are closed waters.

(b) Toliva Shoal - Waters within 500 yards of the Toliva Shoal buoy are closed waters from June 16 through April 30.

(c) Freshwater Bay - Waters south of a line from Angeles Point westerly to Observatory Point are closed July 1 through October 31.

(d) Tulalip Bay - Waters of Tulalip Bay east of a line from Hermosa Point to Mission Point are closed waters.

(e) Agate Pass - Waters of Catch Record Card Area 10 west of a line from Point Monroe to Indianola and east of a line from Point Bolin to Battle Point are closed to game fish angling from January 1 through March 31; however, a person can fish with gear meeting the fly-fishing-only requirements of WAC 220-56-210 as long as he or she does not use lead-core fly line. It is unlawful to retain any fish taken during the period January 1 through March 31.

(f) Those waters of Hood Canal inshore from yellow marker buoys to the mouth of Finch Creek, and waters within the channel created when tidelands are exposed, are closed the entire year.

However, persons with disabilities who permanently use a wheelchair and who have a designated harvester card under WAC 220-55-065 may fish from the ADA-access site at the Hoodsport Salmon Hatchery, as long as such persons follow all department rules that apply to the adjoining waters of Marine Area 12.

(4) A violation of this section is an infraction, punishable under RCW 77.15.160, unless the person has harvested game fish. If the person has harvested game fish, the violation is punishable under RCW 77.15.380, Unlawful recreational fishing in the second degree—Penalty, unless the game fish are taken in the amounts or manner to constitute a violation of RCW 77.15.370, Unlawful recreational fishing in the first degree—Penalty.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047. WSR 15-11-042 (Order 15-126), § 220-56-500, filed 5/14/15, effective 6/14/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047. WSR 13-20-021 (Order 13-210), § 220-56-500, filed 9/23/13, effective 10/24/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.020, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047. WSR 12-18-006 (Order 12-190), § 220-56-500, filed 8/23/12, effective 9/23/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. WSR 10-07-105 (Order 10-64), § 220-56-500, filed 3/19/10, effective 5/1/10; WSR 09-06-042 (Order 09-27), § 220-56-500, filed 2/25/09, effective 5/1/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047 and 77.04.020. WSR 08-15-002 (Order 08-165), § 220-56-500, filed 7/3/08, effective 8/3/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. WSR 06-13-023 (Order 06-135), § 220-56-500, filed 6/13/06, effective 7/14/06.]

RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047. WSR 15-11-042 (Order 15-126), § 220-56-500, filed 5/14/15, effective 6/14/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047. WSR 13-20-021 (Order 13-210), § 220-56-500, filed 9/23/13, effective 10/24/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.020, 77.12.045, and 77.12.047. WSR 12-18-006 (Order 12-190), § 220-56-500, filed 8/23/12, effective 9/23/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. WSR 10-07-105 (Order 10-64), § 220-56-500, filed 3/19/10, effective 5/1/10; WSR 09-06-042 (Order 09-27), § 220-56-500, filed 2/25/09, effective 5/1/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047 and 77.04.020. WSR 08-15-002 (Order 08-165), § 220-56-500, filed 7/3/08, effective 8/3/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. WSR 06-13-023 (Order 06-135), § 220-56-500, filed 6/13/06, effective 7/14/06.

Rules

220-310-175,220-310-200,220-310-175,220-310-200,220-310-175,220-310-200,220-16-245,220-56-105,220-56-210,220-55-065,