Rockfish Regulations in Washington (2026)

Recreational rockfish rules in Washington saltwater, as published by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Last checked November 7, 2026.

Limits differ by area — the summary below is the first published rule; see every rule underneath.

Size limit

No minimum size.

Bag limit

Daily limit is seven. The sublimit for canary rockfish is five.

Season

Open March 14 through Oct. 17, 2026.

Recreational Rockfish rules in Washington

Where: North Coast (Marine Areas 3 and 4) - West of Bonilla-Tatoosh line (ocean)
Size limit: No minimum size.
Bag limit: Daily limit is seven. The sublimit for canary rockfish is five.
Season: Open March 14 through Oct. 17, 2026.

The sublimit for canary rockfish is five. No yelloweye rockfish may be retained. No retention or possession seaward of 20 fathoms June 1 through July 31, see 20 fathom depth restriction (see above for more information). Possession of copper rockfish, quillback rockfish, and vermilion rockfish is prohibited in May, June, and July.
In Marine Area 3 and Marine Area 4 (west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line) effective June 1 through July 31, recreational fishing for bottomfish is prohibited seaward of a boundary line approximating the 20-fm (120 ft.) depth contour. Beginning June 1, on days open to the Pacific halibut fishery, the following bottomfish can be retained seaward of 20 fathoms: lingcod, sablefish, Pacific cod, bocaccio, silvergray rockfish, canary rockfish, widow rockfish, and yellowtail rockfish. Yellowtail and widow rockfish retention is allowed seaward of 20 fathoms at all times during the month of July.
In Marine Area 4B (east of the Bonnilla Tatoosh line) recreational fishing for bottomfish is prohibited seaward of the Bottomfish Closure line year-round. On days open to the Pacific halibut fishery in this area, no bottomfish except lingcod, sablefish, and Pacific cod can be retained seaward of the Bottomfish Closure line. Yellowtail and widow rockfish retention is allowed seaward of the Bottomfish Closure line on days open to recreational salmon fishing July 1-Aug. 31.
The retention of yelloweye rockfish is prohibited in all Marine Areas.
Area Closures

Where: North Coast (Marine Areas 3 and 4) - East of Bonilla-Tatoosh line (ocean)
Size limit: No minimum size.
Bag limit: Daily limit is seven, only the following species may be retained: black rockfish, blue/deacon rockfish, yellowtail rockfish and widow rockfish.
Season: Open year-round.

Daily limit is seven, only the following species may be retained: black rockfish, blue/deacon rockfish, yellowtail rockfish and widow rockfish.
In Marine Area 3 and Marine Area 4 (west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line) effective June 1 through July 31, recreational fishing for bottomfish is prohibited seaward of a boundary line approximating the 20-fm (120 ft.) depth contour. Beginning June 1, on days open to the Pacific halibut fishery, the following bottomfish can be retained seaward of 20 fathoms: lingcod, sablefish, Pacific cod, bocaccio, silvergray rockfish, canary rockfish, widow rockfish, and yellowtail rockfish. Yellowtail and widow rockfish retention is allowed seaward of 20 fathoms at all times during the month of July.
In Marine Area 4B (east of the Bonnilla Tatoosh line) recreational fishing for bottomfish is prohibited seaward of the Bottomfish Closure line year-round. On days open to the Pacific halibut fishery in this area, no bottomfish except lingcod, sablefish, and Pacific cod can be retained seaward of the Bottomfish Closure line. Yellowtail and widow rockfish retention is allowed seaward of the Bottomfish Closure line on days open to recreational salmon fishing July 1-Aug. 31.
The retention of yelloweye rockfish is prohibited in all Marine Areas.
Area Closures

The sublimit for canary rockfish is five. Retention of yelloweye rockfish is prohibited. Possession of copper rockfish, quillback rockfish, and vermilion rockfish is prohibited in May, June, and July.
Recreational fishing for lingcod is prohibited seaward of a boundary line approximating the 30-fm (55 m) depth contour from May 1 through May 31. The retention of lingcod seaward of the 30-fathom line is allowed on days that the primary halibut season is open. The retention of yelloweye rockfish is prohibited.
Recreational fishing for, retention or possession of lingcod is prohibited seaward of a line extending from 47°31.70'N. lat., 124°45.00'W. long. south to 46°38.17'N. lat., 124°30.00'W. long. Lingcod retention is allowed in this area on days open to the primary (all-depth) halibut season. Lingcod may also be taken, retained and possessed in this area from June 1 through June 15 and Sept. 1 through Sept. 30.

The sublimit for canary rockfish is five. Retention of yelloweye rockfish is prohibited. Possession of copper rockfish, quillback rockfish, and vermilion rockfish is prohibited in May, June, and July.
On days open to the all-depth halibut fishery and when halibut are on board the vessel, no bottomfish other than lingcod caught north of the Washington-Oregon border, sablefish, Pacific cod, flatfish species, yellowtail rockfish, widow rockfish, canary rockfish, redstriped rockfish, greenstriped rockfish, silvergray rockfish, chilipepper, bocaccio, and blue/deacon rockfish may be retained.
Retention of yelloweye rockfish is prohibited at all times.
Recreational fishing for, retention, or possession of lingcod is prohibited seaward of a line extending from 46°38.17'N. lat., 124°20.00'W. long. to 46°33.00’ N. Lat., 124°21.00’ W. long. Except, lingcod may be taken, retained and possessed in this area from June 1 through June 15 and Sept. 1 through Sept. 30.
NOTE: Bottomfish caught in the Pacific Ocean and landed into a Washington port are subject to Washington personal use fishing regulations including possession limits (WAC 220-305-010). That is, recreational anglers are prohibited from landing recreational bottomfish in excess of the possession limits in place for the port of landing.

No minimum size. (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).

Daily limit is seven. The sublimit for canary rockfish is five. (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).

Open March 14 through Oct. 17, 2026.. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.

Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Most anglers need a Washington saltwater license or registry: get one here.