SW Washington fishing report for 3/28/14

SW Washington- The Cowlitz produced excellent results for steelhead over the weekend. With late season steelhead and the beginning of the summer run underway, fishing should remain productive for the next few weeks. Spring chinook are starting to show although peak season is still a few weeks away.

The Lewis and Kalama systems remain an option for steelheaders but spring chinook anglers will be out of luck as the season remains closed here until further notice.

Chinook counts are rapidly rising at Bonneville Dam but Wind and Drano Lake trollers still won't see peak season catches for several more weeks. Ambitious anglers can take advantage of low crowds and catchable numbers in the coming weeks however.

SW Washington fishing report

SW Washington- March 15th marked the closure of several tributaries in the district but mainstem rivers largely remain open for late season steelhead. The Cowlitz remains a top bet but the Kalama and Lewis may be options as well.

Spring chinook have been taken in the Cowlitz but consistent catches are still weeks away.

Bank anglers working beaches downstream of Vancouver will start to realize some results plunking spin-n-glos and herring from the bank. High flows push upriver migrating fish close to the beach, giving bank anglers a good opportunity to catch them.

SW Washington fishing report

SW Washington- Steelhead fishing was pretty good on the Cowlitz last week and the season's first spring chinook was checked on this system. Fishing should only improve as water conditions do.

Several district rivers and streams close to steelhead fishing on March 15th. Check regulations carefully before heading out.

Lake Sacajawea in Longview, Battle Ground Lake and Lacamas Lake in Camas were all stocked with quality trout last week.

Smelt dipping was excellent for Cowlitz River fishers on Saturday. No further sport dipping seasons are likely.

SW Washington Fishing

SW Washington- Late season effort for steelhead is light throughout the region but some anglers are catching a few fish from the Cowlitz.

Most anglers are awaiting the season's early spring chinook on the mainstem Columbia although effort remains somewhat light for good reason. Trollers working Davis Bar or plunkers working any sandbar downstream of Davis should stand a reasonable chance at fish by the end of next week.

Smelt dippers did well on the season finale on the Cowlitz but dippers will now look to the Sandy in hopes that the run appears there next.

From the WDF&W March 5, 2014
There will be one more day allowed for smelt dipping on the Cowlitz. March 8th 6 AM 'til Noon but this will really be the last chance for Washington smelters who have been taking Cowlitz limits in one to three dips.

Smelt dipping will be allowed on the Sandy river March 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th. River watchers on the Sandy this week report no smelt seen one seen this week.

There is no license required too dip smelt in Oregon or Washington although each participant must have a separate container (bucket), one for each person. Everyone (kids included) must dip their own fish.

WDFW NEWS RELEASE
March 5, 2014

New State Fishing Record: Walleye (Sander vitrius). Caught by John Grubenhoff of Pasco, WA, in Lake Wallula (Columbia River), Benton County, on Feb. 28, 2014

Weight: 20.32 lbs
Total Length: 35.50 inches (90 cm)
Girth: 22.75 inches (57.5 cm)
Fishing method/gear: Trolling in 22 feet of water upstream along a current break at 0.8 mph and using a Rapala® J-13 lure 6 feet behind a 2 oz. "bottom walker" weight.

Conditions: Sunny, but with a cold front coming in the next day. Water temperature: 37.2 degrees; air temperature: upper 40s.

Species description: Walleye are extremely popular sport fish everywhere they occur, and are known for their exquisite flavor. They are native to the Midwest United States and were first identified in Washington about 1960 in Banks Lake. They have since spread throughout the Columbia Basin and the Columbia River from Lake Roosevelt, downstream to near Longview. Washington is known nationwide for its walleye fishing.

Previous record: Taken Feb. 5, 2007 in Lake Wallula (Columbia River) by Mike Hepper of Richland, WA:

Weight: 19.3 lbs
Total Length: 33.7 inches
Girth: 22.2 inches