SW Washington fishing report

SW Washington - Although success rates for boat and bank anglers remains subdued for most district streams, early hatchery returns indicate predicted run sizes to most river systems remains accurate.

The Cowlitz looks to be the best option for spring chinook and steelhead catches have been favorable too. The Barrier Dam is producing some of the better catches.

Action at the Wind River and Drano Lake fisheries has slowed at the mouths but anglers fishing upstream in these respective watersheds are doing well from the bank.

SW Washington Fishing Report

SW Washington - Overall, catches are not meeting pre-season expectations for most district area streams. The Cowlitz and Kalama are producing only a few spring chinook and summer steelhead while the Lewis system is only seeing an occasional steelhead. This run may have been grossly over-predicted.

Thankfully, SW Washington anglers have Drano Lake and the Wind River fisheries to fall back on with good catches reported from both systems. The early bird definitely gets the better action in these fisheries. Trolled plugs account for the majority of fish.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) today announced that four ocean beaches will open on Saturday, May 15 and two beaches will open the following day. No digging will be allowed after noon at any of the four beaches. The openings, along with morning low tides, are: Saturday, May 15, 8:15 a.m., -1.6 ft.: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks and Sunday, May 16, 8:58 a.m., -1.6 ft.: Long Beach and Twin Harbors only.

SW Washington Fishing Report

SW Washington - Most district streams produced poorly this past week. The bright spot for spring chinook remains the Cowlitz but seems to be under-performing the expectation for a great run so far. Late winter steelhead are present in good numbers however.

The Lewis River has both steelhead and spring chinook present but reports are mixed.

The Kalama is also producing a few spring chinook and summer steelhead are starting to show in better numbers.

Anglers fishing Drano Lake noted good success last week with 40% of those sampled posting good results. Action was nearly as good at the Wind River and should continue to produce results well into May.

SW Washington Fishing Report

SW Washington - The Lewis River produced a few spring chinook late last week with steelhead surprisingly absent. This should change as summer fish begin to arrive in numbers in the coming weeks.

The Cowlitz isn't producing the number of spring chinook most predicted by now. Although a good run is forecast, success rates should be climbing soon if the run is to come to fruition. Good steelhead numbers seem to be present.

The Wind River and Drano Lake fisheries produced well late last week but slowed for the weekend crowd. Success often correlates with Bonneville Dam counts and numbers should peak this week.