wa-26-20-108: Fish and Wildlife, Department of — WSR 26-20-108

WSR 26-20-108 (26-20)WSR 26-20-108PROPOSED RULESDEPARTMENT OFFISH AND WILDLIFE[Order 26-14—Filed October 7, 2026, 9:45 a.m.]Original Notice.Proposal is exempt under RCW 34.05.310(4) or 34.05.330(1).Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Addressing a rule petition to allow two-pole fishing opportunities for game fish in the Washington portions of the Snake and Columbia rivers.Hearing Location(s): On December 7, 2026, at 6:00-8:00 p.m., virtual by Zoom and facilitated by a designated Washington department of fish and wildlife (WDFW) hearing officer. Register in advance for this webinar at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_en-cPdSNQ2i_qRoMDQOJZw. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.Date of Intended Adoption: December 8, 2026.Submit Written Comments to: Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 43200, Olympia, WA 98501, email 20262polepetitioncr102@publicinput.com, voicemail 855-925-2801, project code 11057, website https://engage.wdfw.wa.gov/20262polepetitioncr102, beginning October 7, 2026, 4:00 p.m., by December 7, 2026, 11:59 p.m.Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact civil rights compliance coordinator, phone 833-885-1012, TTY 711, email CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov, website https://wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, by November 30, 2026.Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: This rule project was initiated as a rule petition accepted by the WDFW director by letter on August 26, 2026. The proposed amendments allow two-pole fishing for all game fish in the Washington portions of the Snake and Columbia rivers. Specifically, this rule project will allow anglers targeting walleye, bass, channel catfish, northern pikeminnow, and hatchery steelhead (Snake River only) to more efficiently harvest those species. In addition, these proposed amendments will create consistency in interstate regulations between Idaho and Washington for their shared portions of the Snake River, as well as the Washington portions of the Columbia River. The proposed amendments do not change any existing harvest rules (i.e., seasons, minimum size, or daily limits).Reasons Supporting Proposal: The proposed amendments increase recreational opportunity in the Washington portions of the Columbia and Snake rivers and may increase angler exploitation of warm water piscine predators. In addition, the proposed amendments create consistency in interstate regulations between Idaho and Washington with their shared waters on the Snake River.Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.32.470, 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.055, and 77.12.047.Statute Being Implemented: RCW 77.32.470, 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.055, and 77.12.047.Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.Name of Proponent: Donald McBride, petitioner, private.Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Chad Jackson, Ephrata, 509-450-2854; Chris Donley, Spokane, 509-724-6401; or Trevor Hutton, Yakima, 509-457-9330; Implementation: Kelly Cunningham, Olympia, 360-902-2325; and Enforcement: Chief Michael Jewell, Olympia, 360-338-2895.A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW 28A.305.135.A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. This proposal is exempt under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(a).This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal: Is exempt under RCW 19.85.025(4).Explanation of exemptions: WDFW is exempt from the requirements of chapter 19.85 RCW because the proposed recreational fishing rules do not regulate small businesses. Scope of exemption for rule proposal:Is fully exempt.October 7, 2026Scott BirdRules CoordinatorRDS-7480.1AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 26-13-052, filed 6/11/26, effective 7/12/26)WAC 220-220-160Two-pole endorsement.Anglers who possess a valid two-pole endorsement may fish with two lines in all lakes and ponds open to fishing, with the following exceptions:Water BodyCounty Para-juvenile LakeAdams Headgate PondAsotin Columbia Park PondBenton Blackbird Island PondChelan Beaver LakeClallam Carrie Blake PondClallam Dickey LakeClallam Lake PleasantClallam Lincoln PondClallam Sutherland LakeClallam Vancouver LakeClark Big Four LakeColumbia Dayton PondColumbia Blue LakeCowlitz Castle LakeCowlitz Coldwater LakeCowlitz Lewis River Power CanalCowlitzIncludes old Lewis River streambed between Swift No. 1 powerhouse and Swift No. 2 powerhouse.Merrill LakeCowlitz Silver LakeCowlitz Pit LakeDouglas Ping PondGrant Mill Creek PondGrays Harbor Quigg LakeGrays HarborLocated at Friends Landing near Montesano.Vance Creek Pond #1Grays Harbor Gibbs LakeJefferson Horseshoe LakeJefferson Teal LakeJefferson Lake SammamishKing Lake UnionKing Lake WashingtonKingIncluding that portion of Sammamish River from 68th Ave. NE bridge downstream.Lake Washington Ship CanalKing(Including Lake Union, Portage Bay, and Salmon Bay) Waters east of a north-south line 400' west of the Chittenden Locks to the Montlake Bridge.Mill PondKingAuburn.Old Fishing Hole PondKingKent.Portage BayKing Salmon BayKing Swans Mill PondKing Koeneman LakeKitsapFormerly Fern Lake.Kachess LakeKittitas Keechelus LakeKittitas Kiwanis PondKittitas Naneum PondKittitas Cowlitz Falls ReservoirLewis Mayfield LakeLewisMayfield Dam to Mossyrock Dam.Packwood LakeLewis Scanewa LakeLewisCowlitz Falls Reservoir.Walupt LakeLewis Willame LakeLewis Cady LakeMason Cushman ReservoirMason Prices LakeMason Stump LakeMason Silvernail LakeOkanogan Cases PondPacific South Bend Mill PondPacific Bradley LakePierce De Coursey PondPierce Ohop LakePierce Tanwax LakePierce Wapato LakePierce Granite LakesSkagitNear Marblemount.Northern State Hospital PondSkagit Vogler LakeSkagit Drano LakeSkamaniaJanuary 1 through April 30 and July 1 through September 30.Swift ReservoirSkamaniaFrom dam to Eagle Cliff Bridge.Fortson Mill Pond #2Snohomish Jennings Park PondSnohomish Monte Cristo LakeSnohomish North Gissburg PondSnohomish Spada LakeSnohomish Bear LakeSpokane North Silver LakeSpokane Lucky Duck PondStevens Long's PondThurston Munn LakeThurston Jefferson Park PondWalla Walla Lions Park PondWalla WallaCollege Place.Diablo LakeWhatcom Gorge LakeWhatcom Lake WhatcomWhatcom Ross LakeWhatcom Squalicum LakeWhatcom Garfield Juvenile PondWhitman Clear LakeYakima Leech LakeYakimaWhite Pass area.Mud LakeYakima Myron LakeYakima Sarge Hubbard Park PondYakima Yakima Sportsmen's Park PondsYakima Anglers who possess a valid two-pole endorsement may fish with two lines in the following river sections:RiverCountySectionChehalisGrays HarborFrom Highway 101 Bridge in Aberdeen to South Elma Bridge (Wakefield Road): August 1 through December 31.Columbia Camas Slough: August 1 through December 31.  From Highway 730 at Washington/Oregon to Old Hanford townsite powerline crossing: Year-round, except for sturgeon.  From powerline crossing to Vernita Bridge: ((February 1 through October 15))Year-round, except for sturgeon.  From Vernita Bridge to Priest Rapids Dam: Year-round, except for sturgeon.  From Priest Rapids Dam to Rock Island Dam: Gamefish: Year-round.Salmon: July 1 through October 15.  From Rock Island Dam to Wells Dam: Gamefish: Year-round.Salmon: July 1 through August 31.  From Wells Dam to Highway 173 Bridge at Brewster: Gamefish: Year-round.Salmon: July 16 through August 31.  From Highway 173 Bridge at Brewster to the Corps of Engineers safety marker on the Douglas County shore to the rock jetty at the upstream shoreline of Foster Creek: Gamefish: Year-round.Salmon: July 1 through August 31.CowlitzLewisFrom the boundary markers at the mouth upstream to 400' or posted markers below the Barrier Dam.LewisClark/CowlitzFrom a straight line running from a fishing boundary marker or from the outermost upland at the north shore of the Lewis River mouth, southerly across the Lewis River to a fishing boundary marker near the south shore upstream to the mouth of Johnson Creek.NasellePacific/WahkiakumFrom Highway 101 Bridge to the mouth of the South Fork: August 1 through January 31.OkanoganOkanoganFrom the mouth to Highway 97 Bridge immediately upstream of the mouth: July 1 through October 15.Pend OreillePend Oreille PalouseWhitmanMouth to base of Palouse Falls: June 16 through August 31.Snake Burbank to Pasco railroad bridge mile 1.25 to Washington/Idaho state line in Clarkston: Gamefish: Year-round.SpokaneSpokane and StevensLower Spokane River from mouth (SR 25 bridge) to 400' below Little Falls Dam.WillapaPacificFrom the city of South Bend boat launch to the 2nd bridge on Camp One Road: August 1 through January 31.WindSkamaniaSalmon and steelhead: Mouth (boundary line/markers) to the Highway 14 Bridge: March 16 through June 30.YakimaYakimaFrom Highway 240 Bridge to 400' below Prosser Dam: March 1 through October 31.Anglers who possess a valid two-pole endorsement may fish for salmon with two lines in the following marine areas:DescriptionMarine AreaWillapa2-1. When permissible in WAC 220-313-070.Port Susan and Port GardnerTulalip Terminal Area: May 1 through September 30.Seattle/Bremerton AreaSinclair Inlet: July 1 through September 30.Hood Canal12: South of Ayock only, excluding Hoodsport Hatchery zone: July 1 through September 30.South Puget Sound13.