We invite you to participate in our rule-making process. WDFW is actively considering the rule-making proceedings listed below. Chapter 220-111 WAC provides procedures for inspecting or requesting copies of rule-making files.
You will see rules in various stages of the rule-making process:
- “Pending rule making” means that we have filed proposed rules with the Washington State Legislature’s Code Reviser’s Office. These links will take you to the documents that include the information, timeline, and contact information for each.
- "Preproposals” means that we may develop and file proposed rules on these topics.
See the Rule-making glossary for more information about the terms used here.
Contact information
Agency rules coordinator
Rules.Coordinator@dfw.wa.gov
Pending rule making
The department is considering amendments to the current recreational fishing seasons &
rules for Lake Roosevelt sturgeon.The department is considering rulemaking to amend requirements in the coastal and Puget Sound commercial Dungeness crab fisheries.
The department is seeking to amend rules in WAC chapter 220-440.
The rule proposal establishes standards for director approval for fish passage and screening, ensuring that fish can freely migrate and move through and around obstructions and are not harmed by man-made transfers of water flow from a natural system. The rule proposal defines terms, identifies standards for evaluating inadequate fishways and water diversions, and outlines compliance requirements and agency enforcement options.
Based on public comments received on the rule publication, the department is currently revising its draft rules and will be refiling a supplemental rule publication.
Preproposals
The department is considering rule making for recreational fishing to address conservation objectives and harvest opportunities that may include the closure of a portion of the Cle Elum River.
The department is considering amendments to rules in WAC chapter 220-660 (Hydraulic Code) that may include the impacts of sea-level rise and climate change.
The rule proposal regulates the 2025 fall commercial salmon gillnet fisheries in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor and is part of a comprehensive rulemaking package. Specific rule changes include setting areas, dates, times, and minimum gillnet mesh size for 2025 coastal commercial salmon harvest.
The rule proposal regulates the 2025 recreational salmon fisheries statewide and is part of a comprehensive rulemaking package. Specific rule changes include setting dates, times, species, and daily limits for 2025 recreational salmon fisheries in saltwater and freshwater areas.
The department seeks to create a new rule concerning the permanent closure of fishing areas near Washington state ferry terminals that would prohibit either commercial or recreational purse seine fishing, crabbing, shrimping and gillnetting
The rule proposal regulates the 2025 commercial salmon purse seine, gillnet, reef net, and beach seine fisheries in Puget Sound and is part of a comprehensive rulemaking package. Specific rule changes include setting areas, dates, times, and minimum gillnet mesh size for 2025 Puget Sound commercial salmon harvest.
The Department seeks to amend the current notice requirements for testing commercial fishing gear in WAC chapter 220-353.
The department is considering a recommendation to classify the island marble butterfly as state-endangered, threatened, or sensitive as defined under WAC chapter 220-610.
The rule proposal establishes logbook requirements for Columbia River commercial fishing downstream of Bonneville Dam.
The rule proposal updates beach designations (Oyster Drill Restricted Areas) according to shellfish pest status.
The rule proposal defines certain terms, clarifies existing definitions, and amends references to defined terms for consistency and clarity.
Amendments would be needed to set season dates and permit numbers in order to offer a 2023 spring black bear season. In addition to providing recreational hunting opportunity, a special permit season could assist the department with addressing specific management needs that include, but are not limited to, tree damage on industrial managed timberlands, human-bear conflict and damage, and harvest distribution.
The rule proposal amends and clarifies rules regarding the collection and retrieval of wildlife parts from public lands.
Currently, the department provides the public certain administrative hearing rights based on agency actions and decisions that are described in numerous rules scattered within WAC Title 220.
The rule proposal amends WDFW's nonnative marine finfish aquaculture rules.