SW Washington fishing update

SW Washington- Effort remains light for those in pursuit of steelhead. The Cowlitz remains the best prospect with the weekend check being 8 boat anglers kept 4 steelhead. The fish were sampled from the trout hatchery area.

The Kalama and Lewis systems should have some fish available and you're not likely to come across much competition if you choose to pursue steelhead in this system. Anglers need to be prepared for catch and release fishing however.

SW Washington fishing update

SW Washington- District steelheaders remain less than motivated although streams are just now coming into shape. The Cowlitz will remain a top option until spring chinook arrive but the North Fork Lewis and Kalama will also get some pressure. The early season return proved much better than last year's return.

Smelt dippers most often took limits during the last open season on Saturday. The final opener for the Cowlitz will be this Saturday and dipping will likely remain good. No license is required to catch these fish but you do have to adhere to a 10-pound limit, which is about ¼ of a 5 gallon bucket full.

SW Washington fishing update

SW Washington- District steelheaders remain less than motivated although streams are just now coming into shape. The Cowlitz will remain a top option until spring chinook arrive but the North Fork Lewis and Kalama will also get some pressure. The early season return proved much better than last year's return.

Smelt dippers most often took limits during the last open season on Saturday. The final opener for the Cowlitz will be this Saturday and dipping will likely remain good. No license is required to catch these fish but you do have to adhere to a 10-pound limit, which is about ¼ of a 5 gallon bucket full.

Washington Tributary Recreational Smelt Fisheries 
Adopted a smelt season as follows: 
Season: Saturday February 7 and Saturday February 14, 2015  Open hours 6 AM to noon.  
Area:  Cowlitz River (bank only).  
Gear:  Dip net.  
Limit:  10 pounds per person.  

SW Washington fishing update

SW Washington- With early returns over, anglers are now looking for late season action to fuel their creels until spring chinook. The Lewis, Cowlitz and Kalama Rivers are all tracking ahead of last year's meager steelhead return with the Kalama consistently leading the pack.

The first spring chinook was tallied at the Cowlitz facility, definitely a bit early for this system.