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.