Wash. Rev. Code » Title 77 · Chapter 77.08
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 77.08.020 (2026)

"Game fish" defined

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) As used in this title or rules of the commission, "game fish" means those species of the class Osteichthyes that shall not be fished for except as authorized by rule of the commission and includes:
Scientific Name
Common Name
Ambloplites rupestris
rock bass
Coregonus clupeaformis
lake white fish
Ictalurus furcatus
blue catfish
Ictalurus melas
black bullhead
Ictalurus natalis
yellow bullhead
Ictalurus nebulosus
brown bullhead
Ictalurus punctatus
channel catfish
Lepomis cyanellus
green sunfish
Lepomis gibbosus
pumpkinseed
Lepomis gulosus
warmouth
Lepomis macrochirus
bluegill
Lota lota
burbot or freshwater ling
Micropterus dolomieui
smallmouth bass
Micropterus salmoides
largemouth bass
Oncorhynchus nerka (in its landlocked form)
kokanee or silver trout
Perca flavescens
yellow perch
Pomixis annularis
white crappie
Pomixis nigromaculatus
black crappie
Prosopium williamsoni
mountain white fish
Oncorhynchus aquabonita
golden trout
Oncorhynchus clarkii
cutthroat trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
rainbow or steelhead trout
Salmo salar (in its landlocked form)
Atlantic salmon
Salmo trutta
brown trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
eastern brook trout
Salvelinus malma
Dolly Varden trout
Salvelinus namaycush
lake trout
Stizostedion vitreum
Walleye
Thymallus articus
arctic grayling
(2) Private sector cultured aquatic products as defined in RCW 15.85.020 are not game fish.
[ 1989 c 218 s 2; 1985 c 457 s 21; 1980 c 78 s 10; 1969 ex.s. c 19 s 1; 1955 c 36 s 77.08.020. Prior: 1947 c 275 s 10; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 5992-20.]

Notes:

Effective date—Intent, construction—Savings—Severability—1980 c 78: See notes following RCW 77.04.010.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 7 cases, 1971–2008 · leading case: United States v. State of Washington, 384 F. Supp. 312 (W.D. Wash. 1974).
Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment
United States v. State of Washington, 384 F. Supp. 312 (W.D. Wash. 1974). · cites it 3× “160, RCW 77.08.020, RCW 77.12.100, RCW 77.12.130, RCW 77.”
State v. Price, 620 P.2d 994 (Wash. 1980). “RCW 77.08.020. Neither counsel cites any statute or regulation requiring or governing steelhead tickets, but it appears that WAC 232-12-211 to -212 are applicable.”
State v. Moses, 483 P.2d 832 (Wash. 1971). · cites it 2× “[7] RCW 77.08.020 defines the steelhead as "game fish.”
United States v. Washington, 384 F. Supp. 312 (W.D. Wash. 1974). · cites it 2× “160, RCW 77.08.020, RCW 77.12.100, RCW 77.12.130, RCW 77.”
Dep't of Fisheries v. Gillette, 621 P.2d 764 (Wash. Ct. App. 1980). “The legislature has charged the Department of Game with protecting game fish, RCW Title 77, which does not include food fish such as salmon (which are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Fisheries).”
Creveling v. Dep't of Fish & Wildlife, 142 Wash. App. 827 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008). “RCW 77.08.020, .022. Taking fish by an illegal method does not confer ownership.”
Creveling v. State Dept. of Fish & Wild-life, 177 P.3d 136 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008). “RCW 77.08.020, .022. Taking fish by an illegal method does not confer ownership.”
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