SW Washington fishing report

SW Washington- The Cowlitz River has slowed for steelhead but boat and beach anglers in the lower river had a productive week of mainstem Columbia steelhead fishing. Still, on average, only every other steelhead could be retained as wild fish made up over half of the catch.

Seasons and bag limits become more liberal on SW Washington tributaries after August 1st. Check local listings before heading out. Good chinook and coho returns are expected.

Drano Lake action is slowing but some summer steelhead remain in the catch.

SW Washington fishing

SW Washington- The Cowlitz continues to put out fair to good numbers of summer steelhead, mostly for boaters. Although catches are tapering, bank anglers fishing near the Barrier Dam have been scoring some spring chinook. Fish are beginning to darken however.

The Drano Lake fishery is beginning to take off although effort remains relatively light. Despite the majority of fish in the system of hatchery origin, only about half of those caught on sport gear are take-home. This should be a good week for this steelhead fishery.

Beach plunkers working water downstream of Vancouver should fare well for steelhead through the weekend. Spin-n-glos tipped with coon shrimp should produce the best.

SW Washington fishing report

SW Washington- The Cowlitz River remains the hot spot for all district tributaries but the most effort is taking place along lower Columbia beaches. Plunkers will continue to have good access to fish for the next few weeks but warming water temperatures may slow the bite. Sockeye and fin-clipped chinook remain open but fewer are showing in the catches.

Tributaries are still weeks away from measureable salmon runs but steelhead should keep side-drifters and bank anglers interested for the next several days. Early mornings remain best but these tributaries are expected to be plugged with coho and chinook in the months of August and September.

SW Washington fishing update

SW Washington- Summer steelhead are starting to show in fair numbers on the Cowlitz. The Kalama and Lewis systems remain depressed.

Mainstem Columbia plunkers should find fair to good success for steelhead this weekend. As long as water temperatures remain cooler than 67 or 68 degrees, action should remain fair. It won't be long however, until the mainstem Columbia edges toward 70 degrees.

SW Washington fishing

SW Washington- The Cowlitz remains a great option for summer steelhead anglers. The Kalama and Lewis are also options but not nearly as productive as the Cowlitz.

Plunkers on lower Columbia beaches are in peak season but tides aren't favorable for great catches. The following weekend should produce better results but migration is peaking right now. Hot colored spin-n-glos tipped with coon shrimp will produce the best.