What special fishing regulations apply at Lake Roosevelt?

Lake Roosevelt carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override Washington's statewide 2026 rules, covering Smallmouth bass and Walleye. One of them reads: "Country's premier mid-Columbia walleye + rainbow trout + kokanee + lake whitefish + smallmouth bass + burbot multi-species reservoir — the Grand Coulee Dam impoundment above Chief Joseph Dam, so it sits OUTSIDE the Columbia mainstem invasive-removal reach (which ends downstream at Chief Joseph Dam) and follows the statewide lake rule; rainbow trout 5 / day combined; walleye 8 / day with a 12 in minimum + only 1 over 22 in; smallmouth bass 10 / day no min + only 1 over 14 in; largemouth bass 5 / day (only bass under 12 in retained except 1 over 17 in); kokanee 10 / day no min; co-managed with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation + Spokane Tribe of Indians." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Lake Roosevelt?

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

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

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

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

2026 regulation year

Lake Roosevelt 2026 — Washington Fishing Regulations

Washington statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 4, 2026

Lake Roosevelt 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 mid-Columbia walleye + rainbow trout + kokanee + lake whitefish + smallmouth bass + burbot multi-species reservoir — the Grand Coulee Dam impoundment above Chief Joseph Dam, so it sits OUTSIDE the Columbia mainstem invasive-removal reach (which ends downstream at Chief Joseph Dam) and follows the statewide lake rule; rainbow trout 5 / day combined; walleye 8 / day with a 12 in minimum + only 1 over 22 in; smallmouth bass 10 / day no min + only 1 over 14 in; largemouth bass 5 / day (only bass under 12 in retained except 1 over 17 in); kokanee 10 / day no min; co-managed with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation + Spokane Tribe of Indians
Source: Washington special-water list

Per-species rules on Lake Roosevelt

Smallmouth bass regulations →
Grand Coulee Dam reservoir above Chief Joseph Dam (outside the no-limit reach) — statewide lake rule: 10 / day, no min, only 1 over 14 in; co-managed with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation + Spokane Tribe of Indians
Walleye regulations →
Country's premier interior-Columbia walleye fishery — Grand Coulee Dam reservoir above Chief Joseph Dam (outside the no-limit reach); statewide lake rule 8 / day, 12 in min, only 1 over 22 in; co-managed with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation + Spokane Tribe of Indians

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 Roosevelt?: Lake Roosevelt carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override Washington's statewide 2026 rules, covering Smallmouth bass and Walleye. One of them reads: "Country's premier mid-Columbia walleye + rainbow trout + kokanee + lake whitefish + smallmouth bass + burbot multi-species reservoir — the Grand Coulee Dam impoundment above Chief Joseph Dam, so it sits OUTSIDE the Columbia mainstem invasive-removal reach (which ends downstream at Chief Joseph Dam) and follows the statewide lake rule; rainbow trout 5 / day combined; walleye 8 / day with a 12 in minimum + only 1 over 22 in; smallmouth bass 10 / day no min + only 1 over 14 in; largemouth bass 5 / day (only bass under 12 in retained except 1 over 17 in); kokanee 10 / day no min; co-managed with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation + Spokane Tribe of Indians." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Lake Roosevelt?: Yes. Lake Roosevelt 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 Roosevelt; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Washington rules.
Do Lake Roosevelt's special rules replace Washington's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Washington's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Lake Roosevelt 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 Roosevelt?: Smallmouth bass and Walleye have a water-body-specific rule on Lake Roosevelt, each linking to its full Washington regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Washington limits.

← Back to Washington regulations overview