SW Washington fishing report

SW Washington – Steelheaders are experiencing good catches after a long period of poor water conditions. The Kalama and Cowlitz Rivers are the best bets with bait producing good results for side-drifters. As flows drop, fish will become more receptive to plugs.

The Cowlitz is fast becoming a great late season option for steelheaders. With the new broodstock program on-line, late March and early April should produce good catches of quality sized steelhead. Plunkers were taking fair numbers of fish in the lower reaches while Blue Creek anglers were scoring on drifted baits.

Spring chinook should fall on the heels of the late winter steelhead run. The Cowlitz, Kalama and Lewis Rivers should receive fair runs this year but down from the previous year’s returns.

SW Washington Fishing Report

SW Washington – Like many Oregon river systems, high water has plagued steelheaders looking for opportunities in district rivers. Anglers reported good catches on the Kalama prior to the high water but the Cowlitz and Lewis systems may also kick in when the water clears.

Spring chinook should be available when rivers clear although the peak is still several weeks away. The Cowlitz and Kalama should produce fair results this spring.

Forty-seven spring chinook have passed Bonneville Dam now; hardly enough to satisfy a target fishery around the Wind River but this fishery should produce fair results in another month.

SW Washington fishing report

SW Washington – Steelhead catches on the Cowlitz and Kalama Rivers did improve as flows dropped but district rivers are forecasted to rise again this week, further putting systems out of reach until late in the weekend.

Overall, steelhead action has been fair at best with most anglers concentrating on spring chinook in the Vancouver area. Spring chinook will start to show in greater numbers by early April on the Cowlitz, Kalama and Lewis systems.

Anglers should note several stream closures on March 15th including the Washougal and East Fork Lewis to protect late run wild fish.

SW Washington fishing report

SW Washington – Although steelhead fishing should be peaking about this time on many district streams, anglers remain focuses on a prime, early run spring chinook from Woodland to Vancouver. The Willamette will cause a decline in success rates downstream but positive indicators justify an effort around I-5 and upstream.

The Kalama and Cowlitz will remain some of the better options for steelhead as we enter the late season. Action should improve dramatically when flows stabilize and water temperatures rise. In the meantime, use large baits to attract biters.

As expected, spring chinook opportunities are not expected to be the same as previous years. Regardless, spring chinook will begin to show in fair numbers later in the month with the Cowlitz, Lewis and Kalama Rivers offering the best chances at catching fair numbers.