It has always been my conception that night fishing for Salmon (foodfish) was illegal. I've been told as long as the river does not have a night closure it's ok. I looked throughout the regs and it's unclear. Need expert help. It would seem censeless to alow such a practice.

Call the game dept and ask them. Thats what I did. I wanted to try a kwikfish at night to see if it would work. The river I wanted to try it on is legal to fish at night.

Fishhead5

My fellow friends night fishing is legal in the state of washington on all rivers unless posted closed in specific sections of rivers.
Lighted kwikfish, vortex's, battery operated blinking spin-glos all work for salmon.
Keith

Many of my epic fishing trips have been at night Sometimes at night you literlally get the rod jerked out of your hands when driftfishing bait. They seem to REALLY pounce on pugs better and harder at night as well. As a general rule you can fish much closer to shore.

I believe I would give the regs. a second look before heading out. If you look at the special regs. for each river with salmon present, it says "Night closure and non-buoyant lure restrictions" usually from about Aug. 1st to Nov. 30 or so. The exact dates vary a bit on specific rivers, but it appears that salmon fishing at night is CLOSED! Later, after Dec. 1 or so, I believe it's legal to fish for steelhead at night. Certain Columbia river tribs have night fishing for steelhead during the summer (Drano, Underwood etc.) Bottom line, when in doubt, Call the WDFW to be sure. It's better than a large fine and having your gear taken away.

I am a night fishing junky and do probably 20 - 30 night trips a year for Steelhead because of the solitude and are successful more times than not. However night fishing for Salmon as
unexplained for in our regs. leaves gray area. Therefore, I am going to call and let you all know just the facts.

After I called, the wife was already asking if that meant I was now going night fishing for Salmon as well, with a sigh. I looked at her without saying a word, all the while knowing that she already has the answer to that one.
Fish on baby.........

FJ out.