SW Washington Fishing Update for 4/25/14

SW Washington- The Wind River and Drano Lake fisheries will top the list of options as fish passage at Bonneville starts to really ramp up. Over 2,000 springers per day are crossing Bonneville with the peak still weeks away. This fishery will really start to produce results this week.

The Lewis and Kalama Rivers remain closed to spring chinook, making the Cowlitz the best option for both salmon and steelhead. Catches of both should ramp up through the end of the month.

SW Washington Fishing Report

SW Washington- District anglers remained focused on bank angling opportunities on the lower Columbia for spring chinook. With the mainstem now closed until steelhead season, effort will refocus on the Cowlitz for both steelhead and spring chinook. Catches are ramping up but peak season for salmon is still a few weeks away. Winter steelhead remain available with a rare summer fish in the mix.

Bonneville Dam will not start likely crossing 1,000+ springers per day, enhancing opportunity for Wind River and Drano Lake anglers. Catches are improving daily and after a few more days of passage, anglers participating in these fisheries will be the first ones to intercept ocean returning fish with the lower river now closed.

SW Washington fishing report for 4/11/14

SW Washington- The Cowlitz remains the top prospect for late-run steelhead and spring chinook. Steelhead fishing remains most productive but that's likely to change in the coming weeks. Spring chinook fishing on other district rivers remains closed so check your favorite body of water before pursuing salmon or steelhead.

With over 1,500 spring chinook over Bonneville Dam, interest is growing for the Wind River and Drano Lake fisheries. Action should dramatically improve in the coming weeks with the peak likely the third and 4th weeks of April. Drano Lake will close to all fishing, every Wednesday through June.

SW Washington fishing report 4/4/14

SW Washington- The Cowlitz remains a top option for steelheaders with the late season winter fish making a strong showing this season. Bank and boaters are doing well and fishing should improve as flows continue to drop and clarity improves. Spring chinook action will start to pick up here as well with the peak likely in the middle 2 weeks of April. The Kalama is producing poor results lately and the Lewis also has been less than impressive. Action isn't likely to improve in the coming weeks.

Bank plunkers working lower Columbia beaches should see an increase in success rates when the water starts to clear. That could be as early as Sunday where high water will keep salmon migrating close to shore, giving bank anglers fair opportunity, especially if fishery managers extend the season.