What special fishing regulations apply at Lake Ozette?

Lake Ozette carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Washington's statewide 2026 rules, covering Sockeye salmon (red salmon). One of them reads: "Ozette Lake sockeye 0 / day catch-and-release-only (federally Threatened ESA since 1999 endemic-population — WDFW + Makah Tribe + NPS Olympic National Park joint recovery program); sockeye harvest prohibited; remaining cutthroat + rainbow + kokanee + brown trout subject to WDFW general rules." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Lake Ozette?

Yes. Lake Ozette 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 Lake Ozette; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Washington rules.

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

Only where they conflict. Washington's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Lake Ozette 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 Lake Ozette?

Sockeye salmon (red salmon) has a water-body-specific rule on Lake Ozette, each linking to its full Washington regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Washington limits.

2026 regulation year

Lake Ozette 2026 — Washington Fishing Regulations

Washington statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 4, 2026

Lake Ozette carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of Washington's 2026 fishing rules — covering Sockeye salmon (red salmon). Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

Get change alerts

Watch Lake Ozette (WA) and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

State-level special regulation

Ozette Lake sockeye 0 / day catch-and-release-only (federally Threatened ESA since 1999 endemic-population — WDFW + Makah Tribe + NPS Olympic National Park joint recovery program); sockeye harvest prohibited; remaining cutthroat + rainbow + kokanee + brown trout subject to WDFW general rules
Source: Washington special-water list

Per-species rules on Lake Ozette

Sockeye salmon (red salmon) regulations →
Ozette Lake sockeye 0 / day catch-and-release-only (federally Threatened ESA since 1999 endemic-population — WDFW + Makah Tribe + NPS Olympic National Park joint recovery program); sockeye harvest prohibited

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 Lake Ozette?: Lake Ozette carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Washington's statewide 2026 rules, covering Sockeye salmon (red salmon). One of them reads: "Ozette Lake sockeye 0 / day catch-and-release-only (federally Threatened ESA since 1999 endemic-population — WDFW + Makah Tribe + NPS Olympic National Park joint recovery program); sockeye harvest prohibited; remaining cutthroat + rainbow + kokanee + brown trout subject to WDFW general rules." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Lake Ozette?: Yes. Lake Ozette 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 Lake Ozette; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Washington rules.
Do Lake Ozette's special rules replace Washington's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Washington's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Lake Ozette 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 Lake Ozette?: Sockeye salmon (red salmon) has a water-body-specific rule on Lake Ozette, each linking to its full Washington regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Washington limits.

← Back to Washington regulations overview