Man Sentenced to Jail for Illegal Salmon Fishing in Closed Washington River

Gregory Gallauher pleaded guilty to attempting to poach endangered chinook salmon in the Dungeness River.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A Washington state man named Gregory Gallauher has been sentenced to 15 days in jail for attempting to illegally fish for salmon in the Dungeness River, which was closed to all fishing at the time to protect endangered chinook salmon during their spawning season. Gallauher was caught on a trail camera set up by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, repeatedly casting and reeling in his line in a section of the closed river where chinook were known to be.

Why it matters

The Dungeness River chinook salmon population has struggled to recover after seeing returns of just a few dozen adults in the 1990s. Significant investments have been made in habitat restoration projects to help the endangered species, so any poaching or illegal fishing is a serious threat to those conservation efforts.

The details

In September 2022, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife received reports of possible poaching and trespassing on the Dungeness River. Officers set up a trail camera and caught Gallauher repeatedly casting and reeling in his line in a section of the river that was closed to all fishing to protect spawning chinook salmon. Gallauher was the only one of two men seen on the trail camera and was charged with second-degree criminal trespassing and second-degree unlawful recreational fishing. He pleaded guilty to the unlawful fishing charge.

  • In September 2022, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife received reports of possible poaching and trespassing on the Dungeness River.
  • In January 2023, Gallauher was sentenced to 90 days in jail with 75 days suspended, for a total of 15 days in jail.

The players

Gregory Gallauher

A Washington state man from Clallam County who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 days in jail for attempting to illegally fish for salmon in the closed Dungeness River.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

The state agency that received reports of possible poaching and trespassing on the Dungeness River, set up a trail camera, and caught Gallauher illegally fishing.

Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe

A Native American tribe that has made significant investments in habitat restoration projects on the Dungeness River to help the endangered chinook salmon population recover.

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What they’re saying

“Dungeness River chinook has a long recovery to go after returns in the 1990s of just a few dozen adults.”

— Kit Rosenberger, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife police lieutenant (bellinghamherald.com)

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges in protecting endangered salmon populations in the Pacific Northwest, where poaching and illegal fishing remain threats to conservation efforts despite significant investments in habitat restoration. It underscores the importance of strict enforcement and prosecution of those who attempt to illegally take salmon, especially in sensitive spawning areas.