What special fishing regulations apply at Banks Lake?

Banks Lake carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override Washington's statewide 2026 rules, covering Smallmouth bass and Walleye. One of them reads: "Country's premier eastern WA walleye + smallmouth bass + kokanee + rainbow trout mixed-species reservoir + WDFW Walleye Tournament venue — a Grand Coulee pump-storage reservoir off the Columbia mainstem, so it follows the statewide lake rule; walleye 8 / day with a 12 in minimum + only 1 over 22 in; smallmouth bass 10 / day no min + only 1 over 14 in; rainbow trout 5 / day combined; kokanee 10 / day no min." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Banks Lake?

Yes. Banks Lake is in Washington, so a valid Washington fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Banks Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Washington rules.

Do Banks Lake's special rules replace Washington's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Washington's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Banks Lake by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Banks Lake?

Smallmouth bass and Walleye have a water-body-specific rule on Banks Lake, each linking to its full Washington regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Washington limits.

2026 regulation year

Banks Lake 2026 — Washington Fishing Regulations

Washington statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 4, 2026

Banks Lake carries 3 special-regulation overlays on top of Washington's 2026 fishing rules — covering Smallmouth bass, Walleye. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

Country's premier eastern WA walleye + smallmouth bass + kokanee + rainbow trout mixed-species reservoir + WDFW Walleye Tournament venue — a Grand Coulee pump-storage reservoir off the Columbia mainstem, so it follows the statewide lake rule; walleye 8 / day with a 12 in minimum + only 1 over 22 in; smallmouth bass 10 / day no min + only 1 over 14 in; rainbow trout 5 / day combined; kokanee 10 / day no min
Source: Washington special-water list

Per-species rules on Banks Lake

Smallmouth bass regulations →
Grand Coulee pump-storage reservoir — statewide lake rule 10 / day, no min, only 1 over 14 in; noted WDFW smallmouth + walleye tournament water
Walleye regulations →
Grand Coulee pump-storage reservoir — statewide lake rule 8 / day, 12 in min, only 1 over 22 in; noted WDFW walleye tournament venue

Official source

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) publishes the authoritative 2026 Washington fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Washington fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's emergency-order feed — check it before any Washington trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Washington

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Banks Lake?: Banks Lake carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override Washington's statewide 2026 rules, covering Smallmouth bass and Walleye. One of them reads: "Country's premier eastern WA walleye + smallmouth bass + kokanee + rainbow trout mixed-species reservoir + WDFW Walleye Tournament venue — a Grand Coulee pump-storage reservoir off the Columbia mainstem, so it follows the statewide lake rule; walleye 8 / day with a 12 in minimum + only 1 over 22 in; smallmouth bass 10 / day no min + only 1 over 14 in; rainbow trout 5 / day combined; kokanee 10 / day no min." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Banks Lake?: Yes. Banks Lake is in Washington, so a valid Washington fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Banks Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Washington rules.
Do Banks Lake's special rules replace Washington's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Washington's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Banks Lake by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Banks Lake?: Smallmouth bass and Walleye have a water-body-specific rule on Banks Lake, each linking to its full Washington regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Washington limits.

← Back to Washington regulations overview