Action: Opens one additional day of spring Chinook salmon fishing in the Snake River at Little Goose Dam.
Effective date: May 25, 2026, only.
Species affected: Chinook salmon.
Location: Below Little Goose Dam – Snake River from Texas Rapids boat launch (located on the south side of the river upstream of the mouth of Tucannon River) upstream to the fishing restriction boundary below Little Goose Dam. This zone includes both shores and the rock and concrete area between the juvenile bypass return pipe and Little Goose Dam along the south shoreline of the facility (includes the walkway area locally known as “the Wall” in front of the juvenile collection facility).
Salmon rules:
- Minimum size 12 inches. Daily limit four hatchery (adipose fin-clipped) Chinook, including no more than two adults.
- Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.
- Anglers must stop fishing for salmon when the adult limit has been retained.
- Barbless hooks required.
- Night closure in effect.
Reason for action: Based on current run size and projected harvest, there is available quota for one additional day of fishing at Little Goose Dam. Harvest opportunity on the Snake River is based on WDFW Commission Policy C-3630. The U.S. v. Oregon (2018-2027) Management Agreement provides Endangered Species Act (ESA) coverage for this fishery.
Additional information: Current allocation based on in season update is 559 fish for recreational fisheries in the Snake River (harvest plus release mortalities).
Adult Chinook are 24 inches or longer. Adipose fin-clipped Chinook salmon that may be retained must have a healed scar at the location of the missing fin. All Chinook salmon with the adipose fin intact, all bull trout, and steelhead must be immediately released unharmed.
Anglers cannot remove any Chinook salmon or steelhead from the water unless it is retained as part of the daily limit.
WDFW will continue to monitor this fishery and spring Chinook returns in-season and may close the fishery at any time due to harvest levels, ESA impacts, or in-season run adjustments.
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.