SW Washington Fishing Report

SW Washington - Duck hunter Brandon McGavran reported hordes of harbor seals in the mainstem Columbia between Goble and the mouth of the Cowlitz on Tuesday. Seagulls accompanied the seals indicating the smelt run is on its way to the Cowlitz. The first day of dipping starts on February 6th.

Steelhead are available in the Cowlitz, Kalama and Lewis Rivers but action is only fair. The Kalama and Lewis systems should produce the best in the coming weeks but a lull in activity is common for this time of year.

SW Washington Fishing Report

SW Washington - Steelhead counts at district facilities have improved in recent weeks. Many Columbia tributary hatcheries are now slightly above 2008 adult returns.

The Cowlitz, Kalama and Lewis Rivers should all be producing fair when water levels drop back down to fishable levels. North Fork Lewis anglers reported fair catches around the salmon hatchery.

Smelt often enter the lower Columbia during periods of warmer water temperatures this time of year. Some anglers are reporting seeing a few fresh smelt available for sale but no confirmed catches have occurred according to sources.

SW Washington Fishing Report

SW Washington - District streams are still producing some catches of steelhead with the Cowlitz the primary target for the most serious anglers. Fish are beginning to reach the spawning stage but silver sided fish may still cut orange.

The Kalama and Lewis Rivers are also options but returns remain subdued and likely won't pick up again until later returning broodstock and wild fish enter later in the winter. Sub-par results are likely for this season given the relatively poor performance of the early run on these systems.

Check the WDF&W web site for clam digging opportunities over the New Year's weekend. Excellent tides should provide good opportunity for those willing to brave big surf.