Rivers in Thurston County
Black River
Black River drainage: Selective gear rules and ideal canoe water with multiple state accesses make fishing for resident and sea-run cutthroat fun. The river has a low gradient with brushy shore, so it is best fished from a boat.
Deschutes River
Deschutes River: Chinook salmon and resident coastal cutthroat draw plenty of angling action to this area. Fishing is very slow for winter steelhead.
Kennedy Creek
Kennedy Creek: Fall salmon, winter steelhead, and resident and sea-run cutthroat provide angling action on this stream. Wild steelhead must be released.
MCallister Creek
McAllister Creek: This stream hosts a special late summer/early fall season for sea-run cutthroat trout. Be sure to check the regulations pamphlet for size and catch limit restrictions.
Mclane Creek
McLane Creek: This small stream provides a fall salmon fishery in lower Mud Bay.
Nisqually River
Nisqually River: Chum and coho salmon, winter steelhead, whitefish and cutthroat are available for anglers. A pretty river to float, but with limited access. Disabled accessibility Blk Tpa, bankside fishing with railing; scheduled for major ADA upgrade in 1996, including WCT, DP, and surfacing.
Nisqually River Management Program
Skookumchuck River
Skookumchuck River: Rainbow and resident cutthroat trout are available above the reservoir and steelhead and sea-run cutthroat below it. Selective gear rules apply above the reservoir. There is access to the river by Weyerhaeuser road from Vail, but the road is often gated shut.
Streams: Most Thurston County streams have resident cutthroat for the angler. Be sure to check the regulations pamphlet for gear, size, and catch limit restrictions. Bait restrictions will increase survival of released fish and result in better trout fishing in the future.
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