SW Washington fishing report

SW Washington – Like Oregon streams, SW Washington will be challenged by high, off-colored water conditions into the weekend. Smaller streams will be the first to fish but most small streams will have spawning salmon in them, which anglers should avoid. Following the flood, the Cowlitz should be a great option for early run winter steelhead and winter steelhead have also entered the hatchery facility on the Kalama River. The Lewis will also be an option although hatchery returns of winter steelhead have been low in recent years. The coho fishery at the mouth of the Klickitat is starting to fade but when weather conditions improve, trolling for steelhead in the John Day Pool should remain a strong option.

SW Washington fishing

SW Washington – Although chinook and coho are present in good numbers on many district streams, most fish are dark, making for poor table fare. Anglers are anxious for the upcoming winter steelhead season. Winter steelhead will be most prevalent on the Cowlitz River, where Thanksgiving is a predictable indicator on how the season will progress. Good numbers of larger-than-average fish should be available to both bank and boat anglers. Klickitat River anglers are still finding some coho but like other areas, fish are beginning to turn dark. Some late run summer steelhead should also be available.

SW Washington fishing

Cowlitz River anglers are still catching fair numbers of coho and chinook. The chinook are dark and so are many of the coho. Steelhead action is fair around the trout hatchery with better numbers likely to show later this month. The Kalama has some coho and steelhead with the best catches coming from boat anglers. The mouths of the Kalama, Lewis and Cowlitz is still producing an occasional bright coho. The Klickitat continues to entertain casters seeking coho and the action will likely hold up through the end of the month. A higher percentage of fish are likely to be dark as the weeks progress. WDF&W will open up a 2-day season at Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks on November 11th and 12th. Check WDF&W websites for further restrictions.

SW Washington Fishing

Barrier Dam anglers are catching a mix of chinook and coho, most of which are dark and are being released. Steelhead and cutthroat trout are hitting at the trout hatchery. Ten winter steelhead have been counted at the salmon hatchery as of last week. The Kalama and Lewis have both chinook and coho available although most are turning dark. The best chance at a bright coho remains on the Lewis. Klickitat River anglers are taking fair numbers of coho and action should remain fair for another few weeks.