July 2025: WDFW is accepting public input on the coastal steelhead rule proposal. Submit comments online.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is committed to advancing coastal steelhead conservation while maximizing angling opportunities.
Steelhead, a sea-going rainbow trout that can exceed 30 pounds, is the state fish and a Pacific Northwest icon. It has been culturally and economically important throughout the region’s history, including in popular recreational fisheries.
2025 coastal steelhead rule-making process
In summer 2025, WDFW began the rule-making process for coastal steelhead, gamefish, and trout. There are many opportunities for public involvement.
Throughout this process, WDFW continues to operate under its Statewide Steelhead Management Plan, which requires the Department to prioritize the sustainability of wild coastal steelhead runs by focusing on healthy levels of abundance, productivity, diversity, and distribution.
Current conditions
Steelhead survival rates have declined over the past five decades in rivers flowing into Washington’s Pacific Coast, Grays Harbor, and Willapa Bay. Many populations have recently returned below escapement goals.
Because of low coastal steelhead returns, state and tribal fishery managers have frequently made significant changes to fisheries, resulting in emergency regulations that differ from the annual Washington Sport Fishing Rules. Preliminary data from 2024–25 steelhead returns indicates most areas are again below escapement goals.
Rule-making goals
This public rule-making process aims to balance wild steelhead conservation with more consistent, stable opportunities for anglers. Key objectives include:
- Addressing declining steelhead populations: The process aims to respond to the decreased abundance and productivity of coastal steelhead populations.
- Aligning regulations with stock status and co-manager agreements: The rule-making process seeks to align season dates with the current status of fish populations and with agreements made with tribal and state co-managers
- Reducing reliance on emergency regulations: By establishing more appropriate permanent season regulations, WDFW aims to minimize the need for annual emergency regulations.
- Improving regulatory consistency: The process intends to align overlapping and inconsistent regulations for steelhead, gamefish, and trout throughout the coast.
- Responding to Endangered Species Act concerns: The process addresses the moderate risk of extinction identified in November 2024 by NOAA for the Olympic Peninsula Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of steelhead.
Ultimately, WDFW intends for these rule changes to align season dates with population status and co-manager agreements. WDFW will continue to incorporate public engagement and input throughout the process.
Join the conversation
Attend a public meeting to hear a presentation and share feedback in real time. WDFW is hosting public meetings July 17 and July 31, 2025. Pre-registration is required. During these meetings, WDFW will give a short presentation on the status of coastal steelhead and gather feedback on potential fishery changes.
Submit a comment
Can't attend a meeting? Share input another way:
- Submit comments online.
- Email: 2025_coastal_steelhead@publicinput.com.
- Voicemail: 855-925-2801, project code 11694.
- Mail: WDFW Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 43200, Olympia, WA, 98504.
Where this proposal applies
The proposal would apply to all coastal rivers and tributaries west of the Elwha River and south to the Bear River in Pacific County. It would apply only to waters with current steelhead, gamefish, or trout regulations.
Proposed timeline for rule making
Proposed date | Activity | Type |
---|---|---|
June 26, 2025 | WDFW presents to Fish Committee | Briefing |
July 2 | File CR 101 (Preproposal Statement of Inquiry) | Rule making |
July 17 and 31 | Public meeting | Virtual briefing / input gathering |
Aug. 8 | File CR 102 (notice of Proposed Rule Making) | Rule making |
Sept. 25 | WDFW presents to Fish Committee | Briefing |
Sept. 26–27 | WDFW presents to Commission | Briefing / public hearing |
Nov. 13 | WDFW presents to Fish Committee | Briefing |
Nov. 14–15 | WDFW presents to Commission | Commission decision |
December | File 103/CES (Rule Making Order) | Rule making |
January 2026 | Final rules enacted |
Meeting materials and recordings
- July 17, 2025 public meeting
- Presentation – Coastal Washington Steelhead, Game Fish, and Trout Rule Making (PDF)
Meeting recording:
- July 9, 2025 news release – WDFW seeks public input on proposed coastal steelhead rule making | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
- June 2025 – Coastal steelhead rule-making (background and timeline)
Find recording of past coastal steelhead town hall meetings on the WDFW YouTube channel.
Additional background and resources
- Learn more about steelhead research and conservation efforts in the WDFW blog.
- Find background information about steelhead fishery management in the Coastal Steelhead Proviso Implementation Plan.
- Visit the Coastal steelhead in-season indicators page for adult steelhead and redd counts, run timing, and other in-season data from selected rivers.