Action: Reduces the adult salmon daily limit to one hatchery fish in the upper and lower river and closes the lower river salmon season from May 21–June 30. Closes salmon fishing between the Glenwood Highway Bridge and boundary markers below the Klickitat Salmon Hatchery.
Species affected: Salmon.
Location, effective dates, and rules:
Klickitat River from the mouth (Burlington Northern Railroad Bridge) to Fisher Hill Bridge:
- April 1–May 20, 2026 – Salmon and hatchery steelhead: Daily limit is two hatchery steelhead or two salmon or one of each. No more than one adult salmon may be retained. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release wild Chinook. Open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays only. Night closure and anti-snagging rule in effect.
- May 21–June 30, 2026 – Salmon closed.
Klickitat River from 400 feet upstream of Lyle Falls Fishway (#5 fishway) to the Glenwood Highway Bridge at the Leidl access area:
- May 23, 2026, until further notice – Salmon: Daily limit is six, including no more than one adult salmon. Minimum size is 12 inches. Release wild Chinook.
Klickitat River from Glenwood Highway Bridge at Leidl access area upstream to boundary markers below Klickitat Salmon Hatchery:
- May 23, 2026, until further notice – Salmon closed.
Reason for action: Due to ongoing construction at Klickitat Salmon Hatchery (KSH), sport fishery managers are implementing a conservative approach to the spring Chinook season to help support adult broodstock collection. In 2026, the Lyle Falls adult trap will serve as the primary location for broodstock collection. The fish ladder at KSH will not be operational, although a supplemental adult trap will be operated at KSH to further support broodstock collection. A reduced daily limit and closure of the sport fishery below Fisher Hill Bridge during the peak of migration will help to maximize broodstock collection at the Lyle Falls trap. Implementation of a reduced daily limit above Lyle Falls and an area closure immediately below the hatchery will further support trapping at KSH and broodstock collection efforts.
Additional information: WDFW and co-managers will monitor spring Chinook returns and hatchery broodstock collection to determine if additional fishery modifications are needed.
Public access to the Klickitat River through the Klickitat Salmon Hatchery is currently closed due to construction. The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation is leading an effort to modernize the facility. To ensure public safety, all parking areas, river access points, and portage routes on hatchery grounds are closed for the duration of construction. Boating or rafting from launch sites upstream of the hatchery is not recommended during the closure. Construction is expected to be completed by fall 2026, with public access reopening once the project is complete.
Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check for emergency rules on the WDFW website before fishing. Refer to the 2025–2026 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for current regulations. Download the Fish Washington® mobile app to stay up to date on the go.