Washington River Reports
Washington River Reports 07/09/2009
Steelhead fishing has been fair to good in the Cowlitz River and fair in the Green and Kalama rivers but slow in the Lewis.
Low, clear water conditions continue to dampen fishing on the Olympic Peninsula, but fishing has been good in the lower Columbia for chinook jacks, steelhead and sturgeon.
The northern pikeminnow sport-reward fishery has been especially good in the Boyer Park area (located on the north shore of the Snake River) and The Dalles Pool. Shad fishing is slowing below Bonneville Dam but holding its own in the John Day Pool.
The Tactical Advisory Committee met Monday and updated the Columbia chinook and sockeye runs. The updated chinook run size is 58,000 at the mouth of the Columbia based on average counts at Bonneville and an estimated harvest below Bonneville of 5,100 chinook. The TAC increased the sockeye run size to 190,000 at the mouth based on an average run timing curve. The preseason forecasts were 70,700 chinook and 183,200 sockeye.
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Smelt Reports for 2008/2009
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Fly Fishing
More info on Fly Fishing
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PikeMinnow 06/14/2009
The Northern Pikeminnow Sport Reward Fishery Program in the Columbia River is off to a good start, and more anglers seem to be participating this season.
"We've been getting more new anglers out this season, and we're always trying to recruit people," said Russell Porter, senior program manager, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission.
The reward program just might be a way to sweeten a sour economy or to help someone without a job, and do their part at catching these highly predatory fish.
After all the northern pikeminnow, a large member of the minnow family is known to eat millions of young salmon and steelhead in the Columbia and Snake rivers each year.
The more northern pikeminnow an angler catches, the more the fish are worth. The first 100 are worth $4 each; the next 300 are worth $5 each, and after 400 fish are caught and turned in, they are worth $8 each. As an added incentive, specially tagged fish are worth $500. Only fish caught from the Columbia mouth to Priest Rapids Dam, and form the Snake mouth to Hells Canyon Dam are eligible.
Last year, excluding tagged fish, rewards totaled more than $1-million for 158,674 fish. A total of 167 tagged fish paid out $83,500.
Last year, Nikolay N. Zaremskiy of Gresham, Ore., was paid $57,772 for catching 7,015 fish, and David R. Vasilchuk of Vancouver took second with $44,608 and 5,185 fish. The top-20 catches were paid a grand total of $430,415.
Last year, anglers caught about 159,806 fish with 26,141 angler days spent on the water. The daily catch-per-angler average last season was 6.11 fish.
"Things have been going pretty good this year, but our catches are a bit down and that might be because the water is a little bit cold right now," Porter said. "By [later this month] we usually start to hear of a better bite."
Porter says through June 6-7, anglers have turned in about 26,000 fish, and "we consider it a good year when 180,000 to 200,000 fish are caught."
Since 1990, more than three million northern pikeminnow have been removed through the sport reward program. As a result of these efforts, predation on juvenile salmonids is estimated to have been cut by 38 percent.
Some of better catches occur from the The Dalles Boat Basin check station; Boyer Park in the Snake River below Lower Granite Dam; and the M. James Gleason ramp in the Lower Columbia River Washougal.
"It's not easy to catch them," Porter said. "We'd like to educate people so they have some knowledge before heading out."
The help anglers there will be a pikeminnow clinic 6 p.m. June 19 at the Sportsman Warehouse on Canal Drive in Kennewick.
The fish caught aren't just thrown away in the trash; they are used to make liquid organic fertilizer for agriculture and fish meal for poultry and dairy cattle feed.
There are 17 check stations along both rivers. Anglers must register in person each day before fishing.
Catches must be checked in at the station each day, and reward vouchers will be given. Details: 800-858-9015 or www.pikeminnow.org.
The program is administered by the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission and is funded by the Bonneville Power Administration, which is directed by the 1980 Northwest Power Act to fund work to improve salmon runs harmed by federal hydroelectric dams.
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Aberdeen
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Baker River
Baker River Sockeye
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Black River 08/02/2008
Black: Fly anglers will need a canoe or float tube, but it is worth the trip, said Tom Bolender of Fishy Business Guide Service and Cabela's. Fishing the upper river just off 110th Avenue will give you an opportunity to catch trout, bass and sunfish.
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Bogachiel River
See Olympic Peninsula Reports below........
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Calawah River
See Olympic Peninsula Reports below........
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Carbon River 02/21/2009
CARBON: Some anglers drifting shrimp have been catching a few steelhead.
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Cascade River 06/04/2009
"They did get a few fish right below the hatchery on the [June 1] opener, and since then the river has gotten higher and dirtier," said Brett Barkdull, a state Fish and Wildlife biologist who monitors the Skagit River System. "The Cascade itself is out of fishing shape."
More info on the Cascade River
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Cedar River 07/01/2009
Cedar: River flows are holding steady at 440 cubic feet per second. The fishing has been fair to good, with most anglers nymphing with stonefly patterns. Action has been best in the morning and evening, especially because of the people floating the river in the heat of the day.
Cedar River 06/24/2009
Cedar: The lower stretch of the river, from Renton downstream, has been the most productive.
Cedar River 06/17/2009
Cedar: The river fished well over the weekend and is producing some pretty big rainbow trout, said Anil Srivastava at Puget Sound Fly Co. Anglers are having to contend with a lot of trash fish in the lower river. Try using flies like Pat’s Rubber Legs and yellow princes.
Cedar River Basin Map & Info
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Chambers Creek 10/20/2008
Doing well for silvers off the mouth of the creek.
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Chehalis River 03/12/2009
CHEHALIS: Some steelhead are being caught from Chehalis down river, but catching has been spotty, said Charles McElroy of Sunbirds in Chehalis.
Chehalis River Basin Map & Info
Chehalis River Salmon Fishing in Tidewater
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Cispus River
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Columbia River Reports 07/09/2009
COLUMBIA: During the first five days of July, Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel sampled 390 bank anglers from the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line upstream to Bonneville Dam with 22 chinook, six jacks, two sockeye and 21 steelhead. Also sampled were 95 boat anglers (41 boats) with five adult and two jack chinook, plus five steelhead. On Thursday, almost 300 Washington and 150 Oregon bank anglers were counted. Through July, adult chinook must be released. Sockeye may be kept.
Columbia River Reports 07/04/2009
Columbia: Last week, Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel sampled 1,461 bank anglers with 99 chinook, 22 jacks, 37 sockeye and 47 steelhead, said Joe Hymer, supervisory fish biologist for Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. Also, 605 boat anglers sampled had 62 chinook, six jacks, two sockeye and 12 steelhead.
Columbia River Reports 07/02/2009
COLUMBIA: Last week, Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel sampled 1,461 bank anglers with 99 chinook, 22 jacks,37 sockeye and 47 steelhead, said Joe Hymer, supervisory fish biologist for Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission.
Also, 605 boat anglers (256 boats) sampled had 62 chinook, six jacks, two sockeye and 12 steelhead.
Success was best on the June 22 opener and slowed as the week progressed. Hymer said that while sockeye and steelhead generally stay close to a bank, summer chinook run in fairly deep water (at least 20 feet). Plunking works best for sockeye and steelhead, but you need to let out more line to find the chinook.
Through Sunday, an estimated 16,771 angler trips have produced 1,360 adult chinook kept and 419 released, plus 873 sockeye kept and 57 released.
Adult chinook may be retained on the lower Columbia below Bonneville Dam through Sunday.
Effort was high Saturday, with 711 boats and 614 Washington and 343 Oregon bank anglers counted.
JOHN DAY POOL: On Saturday, 41 salmon anglers sampled had three hatchery jack chinook. Two hatchery chinook and one wild were released.
Pikeminnows
Boyer Park, located on the north shore of the Snake River immediately below Lower Granite Dam, was the hot spot for pikeminnows last week. Three hundred and seventeen anglers caught 2,369 pikeminnows and recovered five tagged pikes.
At The Dalles, 249 anglers also recovered five tagged fish and caught 1,360 pikeminnows.
Fishing was nearly as good at Columbia Point, Bingen, Cascade Locks and Washougal.
For the week, 8,189 pikeminnows were caught, with 21 tagged fish recovered. There was one tagged pikeminnow for every 390 fish caught.
On Sunday, water temperature was 63.4 degrees at Bonneville Dam.
Sturgeon
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife reported sturgeon catches on that side of the Columbia was best in the estuary, where anglers averaged 0.70 sturgeon caught per boat.
Weekend checks of estuary boat and bank anglers showed 257 legal sturgeon kept, plus 14 legal, 65 oversize, and 558 sublegal fish released for 367 boats (1,167 anglers), and two sublegal sturgeon released for 13 bank anglers.
On the Washington side of the river (below from the mouth to the Wauna power lines), charter boat anglers averaged just over one legal sturgeon kept for every two rods last weekend, while private boat anglers averaged one every 5.7 rods. Bank anglers also caught some legals. About one-third of the fish caught were keeper-size.
Overall, fishing was better earlier in the week. A little more than 500 private boats and 20 charters were counted Saturday.
Downstream from the Wauna powerline crossing at river mile 40 near Cathlamet is open to sturgeon retention through Sunday. Depending on catch numbers, there could be additional days added.
Boat anglers from Woodland to Vancouver are catching some legal sturgeon. Fishing from the bank has been slow. One hundred and sixty boats were counted Saturday, with just over half counted in the gorge.
Shad
Effort, catch and Bonneville Dam counts are declining. Bank anglers from Camas and Washougal upstream and boat anglers from Vancouver upstream averaged about a shad per rod last weekend. Forty- two Washington and 33 Orgeon bank anglers were counted Saturday.
Less than 6,000 shad were counted daily at Bonneville Dam during the past few days.
Columbia River Reports 06/25/2009
COLUMBIA: Last week, Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel sampled 1,200 anglers with 40 adult chinook (released), 27 jacks, 41 sockeye and 84 steelhead. Effort remains fairly high, with 292 Washington and 147 Oregon bank anglers plus 157 boats counted Sunday, said Joe Hymer, supervisory fish biologist for the Pacific States Marine Fishery Commission. Since then, fishing has improved with Monday’s opening to retention of chinook (fin-clipped or not) from Tongue Point to Bonneville Dam. Fish in the 40-pound range have been caught.
Sockeye are passing over Bonneville Dam at more than 5,000 fish per day (7,000 were counted on June 18, when the total hit 34,000). Harvest managers estimate this year’s run to be 184,000 fish, down slightly from 214,000 last year, but much greater than the 10-year average.
Pikeminnow
For the week of June 15-21, there were 9,191 pikeminnows caught, with 22 tagged fish recovered. Fishing at Bingen was very good with anglers averaging 10 fish per rod. At Columbia Point, anglers averaged 7 pikes per rod, and at Boyer Park the average was 8.3 fish per rod (252 anglers caught 2,089 pikeminnows). For the week, there was one tagged fish for every 418 pikeminnows caught. Chicken livers and crayfish have been the preferred baits. Sunday, water temperature at Bonneville Dam was 62.5 degrees.
Shad
Bank and boat anglers from Camas/Washougal upstream last week averaged just under one-half to just over two shad per rod when including fish released. Sunday, just over 11,000 shad were counted at Bonneville Dam, the lowest count in nearly a month.
In John Day Pool, boat anglers are averaging nearly eight shad per rod. Bank anglers also are catching some fish.
Sturgeon
In a June 18 joint Washington and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife staff summer report fact sheet, fish managers reported catch rates in June started out slow below Wauna, but as the season progressed catch rates improved, averaging 288 fish per day through mid-June. That compared to 210 fish per day in early June 2008 and over 340 fish per day in early June 2007.
A majority of the sturgeon catch has been landed on the Oregon side of the river where effort and catch rates have been higher. Sampled catch in the non-charter fishery during June averaged 0.9 fish per boat on the Oregon side and 0.5 fish per boat on the Washington side.
The catch during June 1-14 was about 4,000 fish, bringing the year-to-date total to about 5,125 fish, leaving a balance of about 10,400 fish for the remainder of 2009.
Last week, 487 Ilwaco charter boat anglers released 497 sublegal, one legal and 54 oversize sturgeon. They kept 277 fish. At Chinook, 335 private boat anglers kept 101 legals, released 199 sublegals, 21 legals and 54 oversize sturgeon.
In the Deep River/Knappton area, 379 boat anglers kept 112 legals, released 311 sublegals. 8 legal and 18 oversize sturgeon.
Columbia River Reports 06/24/2009
Columbia: The number of salmon anglers has been high, but the action has been fair. A few legal size sturgeon are being caught by boat anglers in the lower river, but bank fishing is slow. The best shad fishing has been in the John Day Pool. Sunday’s count at Bonneville Dam, just over 11,000 fish, was the lowest in nearly a month.
Columbia River Reports 06/18/2009
COLUMBIA: Angler effort was heavy last weekend, and catches were good, but fishing has since slowed. On Saturday, a total of 333 Washington and 241 Oregon bank anglers were counted from the Interstate 5 Bridge downstream, said Joe Hymer, Pacific States Marine Fishery Commission supervisory fish biologist.
Most of the fish caught were summer steelhead, followed by adult and jack chinook (adults had to be released) and sockeye. Overall, bank anglers from the Interstate 5 Bridge downstream averaged a salmon kept/released for every 6.8 rods. Fishing was slower for boat anglers.
The mainstem Columbia from the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line upstream to the Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco is open to fishing for chinook jacks (fin-clipped or not), hatchery steelhead and sockeye. Starting Monday through July 5, adult chinook may be retained below Bonneville Dam and beginning July 1 from Bonneville Dam upstream.
Columbia River Reports 06/17/2009
Columbia: There were a lot of anglers out over the weekend, and catches were good on the opener but have since slowed. Overall, bank anglers from Interstate 5 downstream averaged a salmonid kept/released for every 6.8 rods. Action was slower for boat anglers. Most of the catch was summer-run steelhead, followed by adult and jack chinook (adults had to be released) and sockeye. Boat anglers sampled at the Deep River ramp averaged about one legal sturgeon kept per 5 rods.
Eastern Wa. River Basin Map & Info
Ocean Fishing out of the Columbia River
Columbia River History
More info on Sturgeon Fishing
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Coweeman River 02/12/2009
COWEEMAN: A few steelhead are being here and there, said Charles McElroy of Sunbird's in Chehalis.
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Cowlitz River 07/09/2009
COWLITZ: Last week, 146 chinook adults, 72 jacks, 160 mini-jacks and 251 summer steelhead returned to the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery. Also last week, Tacoma Power employees released 151 chinook mini-jacks and seven chinook into Riffe Lake and 45 jacks into Lake Scanewa.
Through June 26, summer steelhead returns to the separator were running about 70 percent of the recent 10-year average, said Joe Hymer, supervisory fish biologist for the Pacific States Marine Fishery Commission. The attraction water at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery ladder has been off and on. The release of juvenile fall chinook coupled with robust river flows might have a dampening effect on returns.
Fishing has been good for steelhead and chinook at barrier dam the past few days because of very low flows (3,100 cubic feet per second Tuesday), said Don Glaser of Barrier Dam Campground.
The preferred bait of bank anglers has been sand shrimp, and boat anglers have preferred coon shrimp. Fishing at Blue Creek has been fair. Steelhead catches have been slim in the lower river, but they are starting to improve. There has been no sturgeon action in the lower river.
Cowlitz River 07/02/2009
COWLITZ: Last week, 20 spring chinook, 13 jacks and 112 summer steelhead returned to the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery. Also, Tacoma Power employees released two spring chinook and 12 jacks into Lake Scanewa.
Some chinook are being caught near the boundary marker below the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery, and some steelhead have been caught near the barrier dam’s boat ramp, said Karen Glaser of Barrier Dam Campground.
Eggs and shrimp have been the preferred bait. Some jigs and bobbers tipped with a cured prawn also are being used.
Fishing has been slow for boat anglers at Blue Creek and about the same in the lower river.
Jarrod Ligh of 4 Corners Store reported there has been little action in the Castle Rock area.
Cowlitz River 06/27/2009
Cowlitz: Bank anglers at barrier dam continue to hook into steelhead and chinook. Fishing at Blue Creek isn’t great, but isn’t too bad, said Karen Glaser of Barrier Dam Campground. Coon shrimp and divers have been the preferred bait of boat anglers, while bank anglers have been using shrimp and eggs.
Cowlitz River 06/25/2009
COWLITZ: Last week, 47 chinook, 23 jacks and 92 summer steelhead returned to the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery. Also last week, 21 chinook jacks were released into Lake Scanewa. Bank anglers at the barrier dam continue to hook into steelhead and chinook, making some fair catches. Fishing at Blue Creek isn’t too bad, said Karen Glaser of Barrier Dam Campground. Coon shrimp and divers have worked for boat anglers while bank anglers have done well with shrimp and eggs. Overall, fishing is good but not red hot. Fishing has been slow in the lower river, said Jarrod Ligh of 4 Corners Store in Castle Rock.
Cowlitz River 06/24/2009
Cowlitz: Bank anglers at the barrier dam are mainly catching spring chinook while boat anglers near Blue Creek are catching some steelhead. Last week, Tacoma Power recovered 47 spring chinook adults, 23 jacks and 92 summer-run steelhead during five days of adult fish collection efforts at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery separator.
Cowlitz River 06/18/2009
COWLITZ: Last week, 109 spring chinook, 60 jacks and 73 summer steelhead returned to the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery. During the week, 38 chinook and 46 jacks were released into the upper Cowlitz River at Skate Creek Bridge. Also last week, trout from Nisqually Trout Farms were stocked in Skate Creek and the Tilton River at Gus Backstrom Park in Morton.
Bank anglers have been doing well catching spring chinook at the barrier dam and steelhead at Blue Creek, said Don Glaser of Barrier Dam Campground. Boat angling has been decent at times, but high flows have been a problem. Fishing has been slow in the lower river.
Cowlitz River 06/17/2009
Cowlitz: Bank anglers near the barrier dam are catching some spring chinook, and boat anglers around Blue Creek are catching some summer-run steelhead, said a state report. Last week, Tacoma Power recovered 109 spring Chinook adults, 60 jacks, and 73 summer-run steelhead during five days of adult fish collection efforts at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery separator.
Cowlitz River 06/13/2009
Cowlitz: Catches of steelhead have been good at the barrier dam and Blue Creek. A few chinook also are being caught, said Karen Glaser of Barrier Dam Campground. Boat anglers are catching both species, but fluctuating flows have made fishing difficult. Coon shrimp has been the preferred bait.
Cowlitz River 06/11/2009
COWLITZ: Last week, 225 spring chinook, 161 jacks, three winter steelhead and 65 summer steelhead returned to the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery. Through June 3, a total of 2,301 chinook (goal 1,250) and 1,002 jacks had returned to the hatchery. During the week, 142 chinook, 124 jacks and 30 steelhead were released into Lake Scanewa, and 108 chinook, 90 jacks and six winter steelhead were released into the upper Cowlitz at the Skate Creek Bridge.
Catches of steelhead have been good at the barrier dam and Blue Creek. A few chinook also are being caught, said Karen Glaser of Barrier Dam Campground. Boat anglers are catching both species, but fluctuating flows have made fishing difficult. Coon shrimp has been the preferred bait. Fishing has been slow in the lower river.
Cowlitz River 06/10/2009
Cowlitz: Some spring chinook and steelhead are being caught. Most of the chinook were sampled by state employees near the barrier dam. Through June 3, a total of 2,301 hatchery adults (goal 1,250) and 1,002 jacks had returned to the salmon hatchery.
Cowlitz River 06/06/2009
Cowlitz: Flows have been high the last few days which has had a negative effect on fishing, said Karen Glaser of Barrier Dam Campground. Anglers who know how to fish high water are catching some nice fish. Some spring chinook and summer steelhead are being caught at barrier dam and Blue Creek. Boat anglers fishing from Blue Creek downstream have been catching some summer-run steelhead using divers and coon-striped shrimp.
Cowlitz River 06/04/2009
COWLITZ: Flows have been high the past few days, which has had an effect on fishing, said Karen Glaser of Barrier Dam Campground. Anglers who know how to fish high water are catching some nice fish, but less knowledgeable anglers have been having a tough time of it. Some spring chinook and summer steelhead are being caught at barrier dam and Blue Creek. Boat anglers fishing from Blue Creek downstream have been catching some summer steelhead using divers and coon-stripped shrimp. A few chinook also are being caught. The flow on Wednesday was 9,500 cubic feet per second.
Last week, 418 adult chinook, 261 jacks, 22 late-winter steelhead and 93 summer steelhead returned to the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery. Also last week, 132 chinook, 98 jacks and nine winter steelhead were released into Lake Scanewa, and 62 chinook and 46 jacks were released into the Cispus River. A total of 2,038 spring chinook had returned to the Cowlitz Hatchery through May 27. The goal is 1,250 chinook.
Summer hatchery steelhead returns through late May are similar to last year, said Joe Hymer, Pacific States Marine Fishery Commission supervisory fish biologist. A total of 312 hatchery summer steelhead had returned to the salmon and trout hatcheries, compared to 349 by this time last year. The total 2008 return to the hatcheries was a little more than 8,400 fish.
Cowlitz River Basin Map & Info (PDF File)
Cowlitz River Project Map
Friends of the Cowlitz
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Dechutes River 11/08/2008
Deschutes: The river has been producing some nice sea-run cutthroat. A report came in Monday that the blue wing olive hatch was thick in the afternoon, Tom Bolender of Fishy Business Guide Service said. A few October caddis are still flying around, and big orange Stimulators are working to bring the fish to the surface.
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Drano Lake 07/02/2009
WIND and DRANO LAKE: Tuesday was the last day to fish for spring chinook.
Drano Lake 06/18/2009
DRANO LAKE: Effort has been light, and so have the catches.
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Duwamish River 09/25/2008
GREEN/DUWAMISH (King County): Some coho and a few chinook are being caught by anglers using Wiggle Warts.
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Elochoman River 01/08/2009
ELOCHOMAN: Dec. 31 was the last day to fish for salmon.
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Elwha River 10/29/2008
Elwha: A few coho are being caught by anglers, but they are having to work hard.
Elwha River info
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Entiat River 06/07/2008
Entiat: Salmon fishing opens today and runs through July 15. Anglers can keep a daily limit of two hatchery chinook salmon no smaller than 12 inches. Fishing is allowed from the Alternate Highway 97 bridge near the mouth of the river, upstream approximately six miles to 400 feet downstream of the Entiat National Fish Hatchery discharge channel.
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Grays River 02/26/2009
GRAYS: There have been a few steelhead caught, but fishing hasn't been spectacular, said Charles McElroy of Sunbird in Chehalis.
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Green River (Cowlitz County) 06/25/2009
GREEN (Cowlitz County): No water and no catching.
Green River (Cowlitz County) 06/11/2009
GREEN (Cowlitz County): Steelhead fishing wasn’t too bad last weekend, with some catches, said Jim McDaniels of Tumwater Sports. Up to two hatchery steelhead may be retained.
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Green River (King County) 07/09/2009
GREEN (King County): Some decent catches of steelhead are being taken in the canyon by anglers drifting sand shrimp and cured prawns, said Todd Rock of Auburn Sports and Marine.
Green River (King County) 07/02/2009
GREEN (King County): Steelhead are being caught in the upper river between Icy Creek and Palmer. Fishing hasn’t been hot and heavy, but it has been decent, with most fish caught early in the morning, said Todd Rock of Auburn Sports and Marine. A mixture of spinners, spoons and baits are being used.
Green River (King County) 07/01/2009
Green: The action has been fair, with boat and bank anglers catching fish, said a staffer at Auburn Sports and Marine. The fluctuating water levels have slowed the action some, but it seems levels are starting to stabilizing. Most anglers are drifting corkies and yarn or sand shrimp.
Green River (King County) 06/27/2009
Green: Anglers plunking are catching some steelhead in the lower river using Hoochee inserts, said Todd Rock of Auburn Sports and Marine.
Green River (King County) 06/25/2009
GREEN (King County): Anglers plunking are catching some steelhead in the lower river using Hoochie inserts, said Todd Rock of Auburn Sports and Marine.
Green River (King County) 06/24/2009
Green: The fishing has been very tough, said Todd Rock at Auburn Sports and Marine. Anglers are catching some summer-run steelhead in the lower river, but they’re having to work for it.
Green River (King County) 06/18/2009
GREEN (King County): There have been no reports of angling success.
Green River Basin Map & Info
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Hoh River 02/12/2009
HOH: Samplings taken last weekend in the lower river counted 172 anglers with nine wild steelhead (released 23) and 25 hatchery (released nine). Six bull trout also were released , and one hatchery steelhead jack was kept. Fishing was almost as good in the upper end of the river. River conditions are good.
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Humptulips River 02/07/2009
Humptulips: Fishing has been slow. Anglers are reporting there are so many snags in the river that drift fishing is very difficult.
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Icicle Creek 05/14/2008
Icicle: Salmon fishing opens in this Chelan County stream with a daily limit of two chinook, minimum size 12 inches. The river is open from the closure signs 800 feet upstream of the mouth to 500 feet downstream of the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery rack.
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John's Creek 10/23/2008
KENNEDY AND JOHNS CREEKS: Fishing has been slow for chum in both creeks.
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Kalama River 07/09/2009
KALAMA: There have been a few limits of steelhead taken in the canyon the past few days, but fishing has been slow in the lower river, said Barbara Orzel of Pritchard’s Western Angler. Jigs and bobbers, small spinners and Easy Eggs are being used. All chinook must be released through July.
Kalama River 07/02/2009
KALAMA: There has been little change in river conditions since last week. Water conditions are low and clear. A few steelhead are being caught in the canyon and the odd fish is being caught below Modrow Bridge.
Kalama River 07/01/2009
Kalama: Low flows are making it best for pontoon watercraft or raft, said Wayne Orzel at Pritchard’s Western Angler. Folks are catching summer-run steelhead using small gear and line.
Kalama River 06/27/2009
Kalama: Most of the steelhead being caught have been taken in the canyon. There has been some hit-and miss action in the lower river, said Barbara Orzel of Pritchard’s Western Angler. The river is low and clear, which means light tackle and small baits are the only way to go.
Kalama River 06/25/2009
KALAMA: Most of the steelhead caught the last few days were taken in the canyon. It has been a hit-and- miss situation in the lower river, said Barbara Orzel of Pritchard’s Western Angler. The river is low and clear, meaning light tackle and small baits work best. Fly fisher activity throughout the river has been heavy.
Kalama River 06/18/2009
KALAMA: Steelhead fishing hasn’t been great, but it hasn’t been too bad considering that the water conditions are low and clear. Most of the action and catching is being had in the canyon, with the best bite period coming during early morning and late-evening hours, said Barbara Orzel of Pritchard’s Western Angler. Because of conditions, driftboat usage is not recommended.
Fly fishing has been good throughout the river.
Through July, all chinook must be released. A total of 180 hatchery and 37 wild summer steelhead have returned to Kalama Falls Hatchery, but spring chinook returns continue to be below the hatchery escapement goal.
Kalama River 06/17/2009
Kalama: There was no report on steelhead angling success, said a state report. Through June 10, a total of 180 hatchery and 37 wild summer-run steelhead had returned to the Kalama Falls Hatchery. Kalama spring chinook adult returns continue to be below the hatchery escapement goal. Through June 10, just 60 of the 500 fish needed for brood stock had returned to the hatchery.
Port of Kalama
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Kennedy Creek 11/29/2008
Kennedy Creek: A sampling taken a week ago by the state showed no chum catches at the mouth.
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Klickitat River 07/09/2009
KLICKITAT: From 400 feet upstream from the No. 5 fishway to the boundary markers below the Klickitat Salmon Hatchery, up to two adult chinook may be retained as part of the salmon daily limit through July. Wild chinook must be released.
Klickitat River 06/25/2009
KLICKITAT: Only a few anglers were present during sampling last week.
Klickitat River 06/18/2009
KLICKITAT: Bank anglers are catching a mixture of chinook and summer steelhead. The river up to the salmon hatchery is open to adult hatchery chinook retention.
Klickitat River 06/17/2009
Klickitat: Bank anglers continue to catch a mix of spring chinook and summer-run steelhead. The river up to the salmon hatchery is now open for hatchery adult chinook retention.
Klickitat River 06/13/2009
Klickitat: One of the best fishing periods of the season was reported last week. A combination of adult and jack spring chinook and summer steelhead was caught. About half of the chinook were chrome bright.
Klickitat River 06/11/2009
KLICKITAT: One of the best fishing periods of the season was reported last week. A combination of adult and jack spring chinook and summer steelhead was caught. About half of the chinook were chrome bright. Flows at Pitt were 2,350 cubic feet per second Monday, just above the long-term mean for this date.
Klickitat River 06/10/2009
Klickitat: Some of the best fishing of the season for the Klickitat was reported last week. A combination of adult and jack spring chinook and summer-run steelhead were caught. About half the chinook were chrome bright, said a state report.
Klickitat River 06/04/2009
KLICKITAT: Bank anglers from Fisher Hill Bridge downstream have been catching a mixture of adult and jack spring chinook and some steelhead. Some chinook sampled were brighter than those caught the previous week. The river has some color.
Fishing from the Fisher Hill Bridge downstream is now open seven days a week, with a daily salmon limit of six fish, of which no more than two may be adults.
Klickitat River 06/03/2009
Klickitat: Bank anglers from Fisher Hill Bridge downstream were catching a mixture of adult and jack spring chinook and some steelhead. Some of the adult chinook sampled were brighter than those caught the previous week, said a state report.
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Lewis River 07/09/2009
LEWIS: Some steelhead are being caught near the mouth very early in the morning, but by mid-morning, the catching has been over for the day. Through July, all chinook must be released.
Lewis River 07/02/2009
LEWIS: Some steelhead are being caught near the mouth of the river, plus a few near the hatchery, but it has been a matter of being in the right place at the right time, said Elaine Byrnes of Angler’s Workshop.
Lewis River 06/25/2009
LEWIS: Anglers near the mouth of the river have been catching some steelhead. A few fish also are being caught in the East and North forks, but catching has been just fair, said Elaine Byrnes of Angler’s Workshop.
Lewis River 06/24/2009
Lewis: Anglers near the mouth are catching some steelhead.
Lewis River 06/18/2009
LEWIS: Through Monday, almost 600 hatchery summer steelhead had returned to the Merwin Dam trap. The hatchery goal is 1,250 spring chinook to fulfill the program needs. Through July, all chinook must be released. Fishing is reported to be very slow.
Lewis River 06/17/2009
Lewis: There was no report on steelhead angling success. As of Monday, nearly 600 hatchery summer-run steelhead had returned to the Merwin Dam trap. Eighteen adult spring chinook were in the trap, resulting in a little less than 1,000 fish for the season. Up to 1,250 fish are needed to fulfill the program needs.
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McLane Creek 11/20/2008
PERRY and McLANE CREEKS: Fishing for chum has been good at the mouths of both creeks, Jim McDaniels of Tumwater Sports said. Hardware with a green or yellow tint and corkies and yarn are being used.
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Methow River 10/23/2008
The Methow has been hit heavily, and fish are spooky, but you can still score with flies or a float/jig setup.
Methow River info
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Minter 11/26/2008
Minter: Midweek during a low tide is the best time to avoid some of the crowd and hook into some chum.
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Naselle River 11/27/2008
WILLAPA and NASELLE: Both have coho and steelhead in them, with more coho in the Willapa than steelhead. Fishing has been fair in both rivers.
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Newaukum River 02/26/2009
NEWAUKUM: Fishing has been slow.
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Nisqually River 07/09/2009
NISQUALLY: River conditions are good with good water color. Only a few anglers have been observed fishing. No catches have been observed.
Nisqually River 07/02/2009
NISQUALLY: The river is open to fishing from the mouth to the military tank crossing bridge located one mile upstream from the mouth of Muck Creek and from the tank crossing upstream to 400 feet below LaGrande Powerhouse. Prior to fishing, anglers should review the 2009-2010 Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.
Nisqually River Basin Map & Info
Nisqually River Management Program
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Nooksack River 01/29/2009
NORTH FORK NOOKSACK: Opens to fishing for all game fish Sunday from the yellow post located at the upstream corner of the hatchery grounds, approximately 1,000 feet upstream of the mouth of Kendall Creek, downstream to the Mosquito Lake Road Bridge.
Nooksack River Basin Map & Info
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North Sound 04/15/2009
North Sound: The action on the catch-and-release sections of the Skagit and Sauk has been very slow.
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Okanogan River 10/23/2008
Plenty of fish in the Okanogan for those willing to do a little exploring, and a lot more elbow room. The area below Malott would be a good place to start, according to state biologist Bob Jateff.
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Olympic Peninsula Rivers 07/09/2009
OLYMPIC PENINSULA: Recent rains have done little to improve river conditions, which continue to be low and clear. There are fish in the Calawah, Hoh, Sol Duc and Bogachiel, but catching them has been tough, said Bob Gooding of Olympic Sporting Goods in Forks. Angler activity has been very light.
Olympic Peninsula Rivers 07/02/2009
OLYMPIC PENINSULA: Water conditions are low and clear throughout the area. There are fish around, and there have been a couple of days when catching wasn’t too bad, said Bob Gooding of Olympic Sporting Goods in Forks. Some chinook have moved into the Sol Duc and Hoh, as well as some sockeye. Overall, fishing has been fair, but angler pressure has been very light during the week, with a slight increase on the weekends.
Olympic Peninsula Rivers 06/27/2009
Olympic coast: Catching has been sporadic because of water conditions, said Bob Gooding of Olympic Sporting Goods. Rivers are low and clear, but still fishable. The Hoh has some water, but periodically is turbid because of snow melt and glacier runoff. The Soleduck has a good mix of chinook, steelhead, cutthroat, sockeye and silvers, but the catching has been tough for bank anglers and just slightly better for boat anglers.
Olympic Peninsula Rivers 06/25/2009
OLYMPIC PENINSULA: Catching has been sporadic because of water conditions, said Bob Gooding of Olympic Sporting Goods in Forks. Area rivers are low and clear but fishable. The Hoh has some water, but periodically is turbid because of snow melt and glacier runoff.
The Sol Duc has a good mix of chinook, steelhead, cutthroat, sockeye and silvers, but the catching has been tough for bank anglers and just slightly better for boat anglers. Overall fishing has been poor to fair.
Olympic Peninsula Rivers 06/18/2009
OLYMPIC PENINSULA: Low, clear water conditions are prevalent throughout the area. Although steelhead, cutthroat, sockeye and some silvers are in the rivers, the catching has been difficult. Unless we get some rain, fishing is going to get tougher, according to Bob Gooding of Olympic Sporting Goods in Forks. The Sol Duc probably is the best all- around choice to fish, but there are no guarantees.
Olympic Peninsula River Basin Map & Info
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Pend Oreille
Pend Oreille River Basin Map & Info
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Perry Creek 12/11/2008
PERRY CREEK: Fishing has been fair for chum. Sampling counted 28 anglers with 15 chum.
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Pilchuck River
No New Reports..........
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Puyallup River 07/09/2009
PUYALLUP: Some small trout are being caught and released. The minimum size is 14 inches, with a daily limit of two. Salmon fishing is closed until Aug. 16. It is recommended that anglers intending to fish the river review the rules and regulations listed in the 2009-2010 sport fishing rules pamphlet.
Puyallup River 07/01/2009
Puyallup: The river opened today for trout fishing. Salmon fishing on the river below the confluence with the Carbon does not open, however, until Aug. 16.
Puyallup River Basin
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Queets River 11/22/2008
Queets: Water levels are high but receding.
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Quilcene River
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Quillayute River 10/23/2008
Good populations of coho in the Qullayute system on the Olympic Peninsula, and recent rain put at least some of them on the bite.
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Quinault River
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Rocky Ford 07/01/2009
Rocky Ford: The spring creek is still producing some trout, but the fishing isn’t great. I had success using a size 18 red zebra midge, giving it a little motion. There are weeds along the edges, but still plenty of water to fish. The fish I saw all were holding behind rocks or in holes in the weeds on the streambed.
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Salmon Creek (Clark County) 01/15/2009
Salmon Creek (Clark County): Some steelhead have been caught around Salmon Creek Park in the last week and a half. Water conditions should be prime for fishing in the next few days, said Joe Hymer, a state fish biologist.
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Samish River 09/25/2008
The Samish River is starting to turn out kings and some coho.
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Satsop nRiver 02/26/2009
SATSOP: The river is still low and clear. Anglers report the fish are very spooky and reluctant to bite.
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Sauk River 10/16/2008
No recent reports....
More info on the Sauk River
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Skagit River 06/04/2009
"They did get a few fish right below the hatchery on the [June 1] opener, and since then the river has gotten higher and dirtier," said Brett Barkdull, a state Fish and Wildlife biologist who monitors the Skagit River System. "The Cascade itself is out of fishing shape."
Skagit River Basin Map & info
More info on the Skagit River
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Skate Creek 07/09/2009
SKATE CREEK and TILTON: Nearly 3,000 catchable-size rainbows are expected to be released into Skate Creek and the Tilton this week.
Skate Creek 06/10/2009
Skate Creek: Even though the stream is open, Forest Service Road 52 remains closed by snow.
Skate Creek 05/30/2009
Skate Creek: The creek will be planted with 18,500 catchable-size rainbows (2,700 every other week through July; then 2,000 every other week in August).
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Skookumchuck River 07/09/2009
SKOOKUMCHUCK: The river is low with some color. There has been been very little angler activity. About 70,000 steelhead fingerlings will be moved from the hatchery up to the reservoir for acclamation within the next few weeks. The fish will be released into the river next spring.
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Skokomish River 12/11/2008
SKOKOMISH: Fishing has been very slow.
Skokomish River Channel (PDF)
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Skykomish River 07/02/2009
SKYKOMISH: Some chinook and steelhead are being caught, but anglers are having to work hard for their catches, said Craig Holman of Sky Valley Traders.
Skykomish River 06/25/2009
SKYKOMISH: Steelhead fishing has been fair in the Sultan area and near the hatchery. Also some kings are being caught.
Skykomish River 06/24/2009
Skykomish: There has been some decent steelhead fishing, with the best action in the upper stretches above Sultan. A handful of chinook also are being caught. The Skagit is slow for chinook.
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Snake River 09/25/2008
Chinook in Snake River: For the first time since 1988, a portion of the Snake River will be open for hatchery-marked chinook starting today from the Railroad Bridge, about a half-mile below the Tucannon River mouth, up to the no-fishing zone below Little Goose Dam. Fishing will also be allowed from the safety zone boundary above the dam up to the south shore boat launch, about one mile upstream of Little Goose Dam.
Daily limit is one hatchery adult chinook (24 inches or greater) and two hatchery chinook jacks (minimum size of 10 inches and a maximum size of 24 inches). Anglers must stop fishing for salmon once an adult hatchery chinook has been retained each day. The fishery will remain open through Oct. 15, but could close earlier.
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Snohomish River 01/08/2009
SNOHOMISH: Fishing has been fair for steelhead with most of the action coming in the Tokul Creek and Reiter Ponds areas, said an employee of Auburn Sports and Marine. Plugs, diver and bait combinations, eggs and bobbers are all being used.
Snohomish River Basin
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Snoqualmie River 01/01/2009
A few Steelhead are being caught.
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Sol-duc River 05/07/2009
SOL DUC: The river has been producing steelhead and chinook, but not in great numbers, said Bob Gooding of Olympic Sporting Goods in Forks. River conditions are decent.
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Sooes River (Neah Bay)
No recent report. You will need a tribal permit to fish this little river, available in Neah Bay at Washburns General store 360-645-2211.
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Stillaguamish River 01/29/2009
NORTH FORK STILAGUAMISH: Trout and all game fish angling reopens Sunday through Feb. 28 from Whitehorse Bridge downstream to the French Creek confluence.
Stillaguamish River Basin Map & Info
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Tilton River 07/09/2009
SKATE CREEK and TILTON: Nearly 3,000 catchable-size rainbows are expected to be released into Skate Creek and the Tilton this week.
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Toutle River 07/02/2009
TOUTLE: The water is low and clear. There has been no action reported.
Toutle River 06/25/2009
SOUTH FORK TOUTLE: The story is the same as in the Green.
Toutle River 06/18/2009
TOUTLE: A few steelhead are being caught in the lower river, which is very fishable, said Jim McDaniels of Tumwater Sports. Maribow jigs under a float tipped with a worm and corkies and yarn are being used.
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Walla Walla River
No New Reports............See Oregon river reports for more info on this river.
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Wallace River 12/18/2008
WALLACE (Snohomish County): The river is a little high and has color, but quite a few steelhead are being caught. Bright colored corkies and yarn are being used, plus eggs and a variety of hardware. The steelhead have been shying away from the center of the river because of high water and holding near the banks an employee of Sky Valley Traders said. Dolly Varden/bull trout may be retained as part of the trout daily limit.
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Washougal River 07/09/2009
WASHOUGAL: There have been no reports of steelhead angling success. About 300 summer steelhead adults were recycled July 1 downstream to the Mill on the lower Washougal.
Washougal River 06/18/2009
WASHOUGAL: Anglers are reported to be doing well for steelhead and particularly well for “recycled” fish. Through June 10, a total of 442 hatchery steelhead had been recycled downstream.
Washougal River 05/28/2009
WASHOUGAL: Under recently adopted rules, fishing for hatchery steelhead with bait will be allowed beginning June 6 from the mouth to the Salmon Falls Bridge.
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Wenatchee River
No new reports.
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White Salmon River 05/28/2009
WHITE SALMON: There was light effort and no catch observed.
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Willapa River 12/18/2008
WILLAPA: The river is low with quite a few steelhead in it, but you have to know what you're doing to catch them, said Charles McElroy of Sunbirds in Chehalis. Sand shrimp is the preferred bait.
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Wind River 07/02/2009
WIND and DRANO LAKE: Tuesday was the last day to fish for spring chinook.
Wind River 06/18/2009
WIND: Bank anglers in the gorge and upper river continue to catch some chinook, but effort has dropped off to almost nothing. Through Monday, a total of 1,699 chinook had returned to the Carson National Fish Hatchery. The goal of 1,200 fish has been met. Through June, the daily limit is six fish, of which no more than two may be adult salmon or hatchery steelhead – or one of each. Wild chinook must be released below Shipherd Falls.
Wind River 06/17/2009
Wind: Bank anglers in the gorge and upper river continue to catch some spring chinook, but effort has dropped to almost nothing.
Wind River 06/11/2009
WIND: Mixtures of adult and jack spring chinook are being caught in the gorge and upper river. Boat angler effort is down at the mouth. The Carson National Fish Hatchery has met its goal of 1,200 fish as of Monday.
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Wynoochee River 07/09/2009
WYNOOCHEE: Except for some small trout being caught and released, not much else is happening, said Walt Harvey of Verle’s Sports in Shelton.
Wynoochee River 07/02/2009
WYNOOCHEE: Anglers are finding a few steelhead in deep holes, but getting them to bite has been another matter, said Ron Adams of Verle’s Sports in Shelton.
Wynoochee River 06/27/2009
Wynoochee: Water levels are low and clear. Some fish are being caught, but the bite has been sporadic, said Ron Adams of Verles Sports in Shelton.
Wynoochee River 06/25/2009
WYNOOCHEE: Water levels are low and clear. Some fish are being caught, but the bite has been sporadic, said Ron Adams of Verle’s Sports in Shelton.
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Yakima River 07/01/2009
Yakima: Flows have slowly increased over the week, but there is good dry-fly fishing early in the day and in the evening, said a report from Red’s Fly Shop. Midday anglers are better off nymphing.
Yakima River 06/27/2009
Yakima: Fishing overall is good with unseasonably low flows and hungry fish. There is some consistent dry fly-fishing. Look for a pale morning dun hatch midday, but the real action is at dusk. Try using a big dry fly combined with Caddis trailer, said a report from Red’s Fly Shop.
Yakima River 06/24/2009
Yakima: Unseasonably low at a little over 2,000 cubic feet per second through Cle Elum, said Jim Gallagher of the Yakima River Fly Shop. Most takes on the surface have been on large hopper type patterns fished with movement.
Yakima River 06/17/2009
Yakima: The trout are starting to take dry flies as well as stonefly nymphs. Try orange stimulators and golden stone patterns, said a report from Red’s Fly Shop.
Yakima River Basin Map & Info
Yakima River Fly Fishing & Map
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See also Idaho & Oregon River Fishing Reports Below
Idaho River Reports
Oregon River Reports
Also check out the River Data Page.
River Data Info Page
Fishing in the Northwest Home Page