WDFW takes comments through Dec. 7 on year-round two-pole rules for the Snake and Columbia

Washington is asking anglers whether two rods should be legal year-round for game fish on the state portions of the Snake and Columbia rivers. A Department of Fish and Wildlife news release dated Oct. 9, 2026, says the proposed amendments would allow two-pole fishing for all game fish, including walleye, bass, channel catfish, and northern pikeminnow.

The proposal started as a July petition for the Snake River. WDFW approved that petition with changes that pull in the Columbia River from the Washington–Oregon border upstream to Chief Joseph Dam. The full location list is in the proposed rule linked from the release.

Comments run through Dec. 7, 2026. They can be filed online, emailed to 20262polepetitioncr102@publicinput.com, or phoned to 1-855-925-2801 using project code 11057. WDFW will hold a virtual hearing on Zoom from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7. Pre-registration is required; the link is on the news release. Fish Program staff can be reached at FISHPGM@dfw.wa.gov or 360-902-2700. The media contact is Kelly Hall, 360-742-1820.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: WDFW — Public comments on proposed two-pole endorsement rules for the Snake and Columbia rivers (Oct. 9, 2026).