Northwest Fishing Reports

I was just curious...is there a particular forum topic for general WDFW regulation discussion and interpretation or should i just post these questions in the body of water i am fishing (saltchuck, fresh, river, etc.)? I have been fishing in WA for four years now and out of the six states i have ever had a license in WA regs are the most complicated ever. I try my best to follow the regs, but even at my best i am still discovering new regs (thanks to WL forums). I have multiple questions about regs and interpretations, and every time i get stopped by the WDFW they never answer my questions. (i've never been cited, just checked). What should i do? It seems like this topic comes up a lot...is it possible to get a regs topic with maybe a WDFW officer to answer questions?? Like many people, i just want to do what is right, i just have questions. Thanks for any input.

I've moved the topic to Freshwater Fishing and made it a "Sticky", so that it stays visible and isn't buried in the forum.

Hey Rolland,

There have been several forum posts regarding WDFW rules. My guess is you could pose your rules question in the forum area that best fits your question but Member Marc Martin is the guy to confirm that. Many of the WALakes members here know the rules and laws well so posting rules questions in the related forum area is a good start and will likely net an accurate answer. You are not alone when it comes to understanding the Washington State Rules Pamphlet. In my opinion it’s confusing and sometimes vague which makes it difficult to fully understand.

Your other option is to contact the WDFW at one of their regional offices. The closest office to you looks to be North Puget Sound - Region 4 located in Mill Creek, WA. Their number is 425 775-1311. Their email is TeamMillCreek@dfw.wa.gov. They also have a “general information” phone number and email address you can try which are 360 902-2936, and enforcement-web@dfw.wa.gov . I hope this helps. Post your questions and we will all do our best to answer them. I see Marc is already on it and has moved your post to fresh water as a sticky so it doesn't get buried. Good luck and good fishin.

In the fishing regs is a number for Questions it is (360)902-2700 or you can send an e-mail to fishregs@dfw.wa.gov. They will help you!

bigbasstaz and Dave gave some good info to reach the WDFW. Otherwise, feel free to post your questions regarding the fishing regulations in the most proper forum (bass, saltwater, freshwater, trout, etc. you get the idea. Trout regulation question goes in the trout section) and many people will be there to help you...

Rollin with Rolland wrote:I was just curious...is there a particular forum topic for general WDFW regulation discussion and interpretation or should i just post these questions in the body of water i am fishing (saltchuck, fresh, river, etc.)? I have been fishing in WA for four years now and out of the six states i have ever had a license in WA regs are the most complicated ever. I try my best to follow the regs, but even at my best i am still discovering new regs (thanks to WL forums). I have multiple questions about regs and interpretations, and every time i get stopped by the WDFW they never answer my questions. (i've never been cited, just checked). What should i do? It seems like this topic comes up a lot...is it possible to get a regs topic with maybe a WDFW officer to answer questions?? Like many people, i just want to do what is right, i just have questions. Thanks for any input.

I don't blame you. The regs can be confusing at times.
Can't tell,is that a northern or a tiger in the pic.?

thanks for the info. and phone numbers, i'll give them a try next time and see how it works. i have a steelhead question that is just killing me. Since i have this thread started already i'll ask it here, but next time i'll put it in the appropriate section. I live right on the North Fork Nooksack river and i was going for some winter run steelies and i could not figure out the appropriate minimum length to keep the hatchery fish. The regs say TROUT minimum 14", and supposedly steelies are included in that. My roommate says it's statewide regs, so minimum is 20". Which is it? any thoughts? Now i know i probably won't catch a hatchery fish much under 20" (or maybe i will?), but it's good to know what i could keep, if i had caught one, which i never did. thanks again for the help.

Rollin with Rolland wrote:I was just curious...is there a particular forum topic for general WDFW regulation discussion and interpretation or should i just post these questions in the body of water i am fishing (saltchuck, fresh, river, etc.)? I have been fishing in WA for four years now and out of the six states i have ever had a license in WA regs are the most complicated ever. I try my best to follow the regs, but even at my best i am still discovering new regs (thanks to WL forums). I have multiple questions about regs and interpretations, and every time i get stopped by the WDFW they never answer my questions. (i've never been cited, just checked). What should i do? It seems like this topic comes up a lot...is it possible to get a regs topic with maybe a WDFW officer to answer questions?? Like many people, i just want to do what is right, i just have questions. Thanks for any input.

Just an FYI, ultimately we all have to be responsible for our own understanding of the WDFW regs (which at times can be confusing!) So here's our disclaimer: Posts on this site are the responsibility of the poster and are not to be considered legal advice regarding our state's rules and regulations.

Can't tell,is that a northern or a tiger in the pic.?


looks like a pike to me!

Thanks Mike Carey, i understand. Sometimes it's just so hard to get answers...
I'll have to start pestering fishregs@dfw.wa.gov a lot more.:bounce:

We still want to know...pike or muskie?:-" In your picture.

kevinb, pike, definitely pike. Not huge, but my biggest to date, 31 in. It's not from washington though.....minnesota.
Man, they sure are nice looking fish, and what a fight!

Rollin with Rolland wrote:

Nice pic. Any time you wanna fish muskies or northerns send me a message. Its not Minnesota but still fun.

Also meant to say. Thats a good look'n pike. SWEEEEETTTT!!!!!

Nice fish!

i would err on the side of caution and go with the most strictest rule, that being the 20", that way you cant go wrong....though I know that doesnt really answer your question

Rollin with Rolland wrote:thanks for the info. and phone numbers, i'll give them a try next time and see how it works. i have a steelhead question that is just killing me. Since i have this thread started already i'll ask it here, but next time i'll put it in the appropriate section. I live right on the North Fork Nooksack river and i was going for some winter run steelies and i could not figure out the appropriate minimum length to keep the hatchery fish. The regs say TROUT minimum 14", and supposedly steelies are included in that. My roommate says it's statewide regs, so minimum is 20". Which is it? any thoughts? Now i know i probably won't catch a hatchery fish much under 20" (or maybe i will?), but it's good to know what i could keep, if i had caught one, which i never did. thanks again for the help.

I would go with 20in. I don't know where your going to find many steelhead under 20in anyway I have only encountered 1 in all of Washington.

Rollin with Rolland -
You will find that the adult winter steelhead (hatchery or wild) will be over 20 inches. However some of the males do mature an year early (called Jacks) and will be less than 20 inches - typcially 15 to 18 inches long.

Both the clipped Jacks (those over 14 inches) and adults would be length and you can keep both. However the two fish daily limit still applies and you must punch the adult fish (those over 20 inches) but not the Jacks (those under 20 inches). It is that punching requirement that is likely the source of your confusion.

Tight lines
Curt