Aberdeen, WA – The lower Chehalis will open for fishing soon, with a date set for the remainder of the river and tributaries.
The Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife have announced that the lower Chehalis River will re-open to fishing on August 1st. When the waterway is able to be fished again, it will be under new permanent rules.
The Chehalis River Bridge to the South Elma Bridge will open first, although the entire waterway will be subject to permanent rules, listed in the 2019-20 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.
WDFW says, “The abundance of spring Chinook is far below the escapement goal of 1,400 fish. As returning fish move farther upstream, it is possible to begin opening lower sections to angling while upstream and tributary closures achieve conservation objectives by protecting staging spring Chinook from fishing pressure.”
According to WDFW, staggered openings are necessary in order to protect spring Chinook returning to the waterway.
Remaining sections of the upper Chehalis and tributaries will reopen on the following dates:
Anglers are reminded to always check for emergency rule changes prior to fishing. Rule changes can be found online at https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/ or by calling the fishing hotline at 360-902-2500.
Aug. 1-Nov. 30 Single-point barbless hooks required.
TROUT Sat. before Memorial DayApr. 15 Statewide min. size/daily limit, except cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout: min. size 14″.
OTHER GAME FISH Sat. before Memorial DayApr. 15 Statewide min. size/daily limit.
SALMON Aug. 1-Sept. 15 Min. size 12″. Daily limit 6. Release adults.
Sept. 16-Dec. 31 Min. size 12″. Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained.
Release Chinook.
STURGEON Sat. before Memorial DayApr. 15 Catch-and-release. Fishing for sturgeon allowed 24hrs/day.
Bridge (Wakefield Rd.) including all
channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways (317)
TROUT Sat. before Memorial DayApr. 15 Statewide min. size/daily limit, except cutthroat trout and wild
rainbow trout: min. size 14″.
SALMON Sept. 16-Dec. 31 Min. size 12″. Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained.
SALMON Oct. 1-Dec. 31 Min. size 12″. Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained.
Roger Creek (south of Pe Ell) upstream including all forks (315)
wild rainbow trout.