Action: Reduces the adult salmon daily limit to one hatchery fish in the lower river and closes the lower river salmon season beginning May 22. Delays opening of salmon season in the upper river until further notice.

Species affected: Salmon

Locations, effective dates, and rules:

• From the mouth (BNSF Railroad Bridge) to Fisher Hill Bridge: 
  • April 1 through May 21, 2025: Salmon and hatchery steelhead daily limit is two, of which only one may be an adult salmon. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Release wild Chinook. Open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays only.
• May 22, 2025, until further notice: Salmon closed.
• • From 400 feet upstream of #5 fishway (i.e. Lyle Falls Fishway) to boundary markers below Klickitat Salmon Hatchery:

• • May 24, 2025, until further notice: Salmon closed.

Reason for action: The estimated return of adult spring Chinook (1,201) to the Klickitat River for 2025 could be among the lowest since 2009. Sport fishery managers need to utilize a conservative approach to the 2025 spring Chinook season to ensure that hatchery broodstock collection is achieved.

Additional information:

WDFW will monitor the spring Chinook return and hatchery broodstock collection with co-managers to determine if additional fishery modification is needed.

Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check for emergency rules on the WDFW website prior to fishing. Refer to the 2024-25 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for fishing rules.

Information contact: Matt Gardner, District Fish Biologist: 360-906-6746