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Washington regulations

Rockfish Regulations in Washington 2026

Washington rockfish 2026 open seasons vary by 9 management regions. Pick your region in the rule table below. Sourced from WDFW.

WDFWOfficial source

About Rockfish →

Rules (32)

Washington statewideClosed
Status
Prohibited
Status
Prohibited
It is unlawful to fish for, retain, or possess rockfish in Areas 6-13. It is unlawful to fish for, retain, or possess yelloweye rockfish in all Marine Areas.
Verified · View official source ↗
Admiralty Inlet
Daily bag
10 fish/day
Verified · View official source ↗
Columbia RiverIn season
Season opens
Aug 1
Season closes
Jul 31
Daily bag
7 fish/day
Verified · View official source ↗
East Juan De Fuca Strait
Daily bag
10 fish/day
Verified · View official source ↗
East Of Slip PointOut of season
Season opens
May 1
Season closes
Jun 15
Daily bag
1 fish/day
Gear
Spearfishing
Daily limit is the first black or blue/deacon rockfish caught. Spearfishing season.
Verified · View official source ↗
La Push (From The Queets River North To Cape Alva)Catch & release
Status
Catch And Release
Status
Catch And Release
Season opens
Aug 1
Season closes
Jul 31
Daily bag
7 fish/day
July 1-July 31 Aug. 1-Third Sat. in Oct. Aug. 1-Third Sat. in Oct., including no more than 5 canary.
Verified · View official source ↗
Marine Area 1Catch & release
Status
Catch And Release
Status
Catch And Release
Season opens
Aug 1
Season closes
Oct 18
Daily bag
7 fish/day
Release vermilion. Release yelloweye. Third Sat. in Oct. including no more than 5 canary.
Verified · View official source ↗
Marine Area 2Catch & release
Status
Catch And Release
Status
Catch And Release
Season opens
Aug 1
Season closes
Jul 31
Daily bag
7 fish/day
May 1-July 31; Release yelloweye, copper, quillback and vermilion. Aug. 1-Third Sat. in Oct.; Release yelloweye. Aug. 1-Third Sat. in Oct.; including no more than 5 canary.
Verified · View official source ↗
West Of Slip PointOut of season
Season opens
May 1
Season closes
Jun 15
Daily bag
3 fish/day
Gear
Spearfishing
Daily limit is the first 3 black or blue/deacon rockfish caught. Spearfishing season.
Verified · View official source ↗
West Of The Bonilla-Tatoosh LineCatch & release
Status
Catch And Release
Status
Catch And Release
Release vermilion. Release yelloweye.
Verified · View official source ↗

Rockfish on famous Washington waters

Dedicated rule pages for Rockfish on the most-targeted destinations in Washington.

Other Washington fish regulations

Other regulated species in Washington with current rule pages — same WDFW source, same verification cadence.

Also known as

Rockfish is also called Vermilion Rockfish, Black Rockfish, Yelloweye Rockfish. Anglers in different regions use different names for the same fish, and the rules on this page apply to all of them in Washington.

Frequently asked questions

When is Rockfish season in Washington?

Rockfish season in Washington runs from Aug 1 to Jul 31 per WDFW.

What is the size limit for Rockfish in Washington?

Washington does not publish a state-wide minimum size for Rockfish. Check zone-specific rules above.

What is the daily bag limit for Rockfish in Washington?

Daily bag limit for Rockfish in Washington is 10 fish/day in Admiralty Inlet, per WDFW.

Official sources cited

Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with WDFW before keeping a catch.

← All Washington fishing regulations