Sockeye fishing opens at Lake Wenatchee

LAKE WENATCHEE — Anglers will be able to retain sockeye salmon at Lake Wenatchee beginning one hour before sunrise on July 23, as the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) opens the lake to sockeye fishing through August 31.

WDFW officials announced the decision following updated fish passage counts at Tumwater Dam and Columbia River dams, which indicate a surplus of harvestable sockeye well above the natural spawning escapement goal of 23,000 fish.

The fishery, located in Chelan County and listed as Catch Record Card (CRC) 670, will be open daily from one hour before official sunrise until one hour after official sunset.

The daily limit is four sockeye, with a minimum size of 12 inches. All bull trout, steelhead, and Chinook salmon must be released unharmed and without removing them from the water.

Selective gear rules apply. Only artificial flies or lures with barbless single-point hooks are allowed, and bait is prohibited. Up to three hooks may be used. Only knotless nets are permitted for landing fish. Two-pole fishing is allowed with a valid two-pole endorsement. A night closure will also be in effect.

Lake Wenatchee State Park will expand its operating hours to accommodate the fishery. From July 23 to August 6, the park will open at 4:00 a.m. and close at dusk. Beginning August 7, hours will return to the normal schedule of 6:30 a.m. to dusk. Vehicles, including those with boats, must pull to the side of the road if arriving before park hours. Only registered campers will be permitted inside the park outside of normal hours.

Anglers are encouraged to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and check the WDFW website for emergency updates before fishing. The 2025–2026 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet contains current regulations. The Fish Washington® mobile app is also available for on-the-go updates.