View the CR-102 Rule Proposal and WAC Text

 Vancouver Lake - In 2024, the Washington State Legislature passed HB 1226 which provided revisions to RCW 77.32.10, thereby rescinding previous exemptions to fishing license requirements while fishing for smelt, crayfish, and common carp (i.e. a license is required to fish for these species following passage). However, HB 1226 provided an exception to the license requirement when fishing for common carp in Vancouver Lake. This exception was included based upon public comment received during legislative committee hearings. While the WA legislature provided a clear exception to the license requirement for Vancouver Lake, questions from the public about the implementation and enforcement of the rule have since arisen. Confusion around the license requirement originates in the WAC that defines the fishing area for Vancouver Lake, which is included with a complex of state waters, defined as: “Vancouver Lake and all other waters west of Burlington-Northern railroad from Columbia River drawbridge near Vancouver downstream to Lewis River.“ Specifically, WDFW Enforcement staff are unclear where a fishing license would not be required in this area to fish for common carp, due to the ambiguity of the definition. Further, some anglers contend that the Vancouver Lake definition extends to all waters covered by the definition, which WDFW Enforcement and Department staff dispute. To provide clarity in the rules and alignment with RCW 77.32.10, staff propose modifications to sections of WAC 220-312-030 (Southwest) and WAC 220-220-160 (Two-pole endorsement) that treat each water body in the previously described area as individual areas. WDFW seeks to amend WAC 220-312-030 (Southwest) and WAC 220-220-160 (Two-Pole), such that: 

• Vancouver Lake is treated as an independent water body and the exemption from possessing a fishing license while fishing for common carp is aligned with RCW 77.32.10. 

• Other lakes in this area are treated as independent water bodies, following statewide lake rules.

• Lake River is established as a unique water body sharing the same angling rules and seasons as Vancouver Lake, except for the license exemption. 

Cle Elum River - A new adult fish collection facility is being constructed at the base of Cle Elum Dam. This closure is needed to prevent the targeting or harassing of fish using this facility, in keeping with statewide regulations regarding fishing closures near man-made structures/passage facilities (WAC 220-310-030(1)). This rule will allow for fish to use the new facility without experiencing angling pressure which could lead to mortality or delay their entrance to the facility. 

 Eastern Washington Lowland Lakes - WDFW received a petition from the public to amend the fishing rules for seven lakes in eastern Washington (Badger, Deer (Lincoln Co., a.k.a Deer Springs) Fan, Fish (Spokane Co.), Fishtrap, West Medical and Williams (Spokane Co.) to extend the fishing season by one month annually on each lake. WDFW Director Susewind chose to deny the petition but initiate rule making on five (Badger, Fan, Fishtrap, West Medical and Williams (Spokane Co.)) of the seven lakes that were listed in the petition. Two of the lakes had landowner conflicts that would not allow for adjusting the current public fishing season.