This week brought a mix of highs and lows across SW Washington’s fisheries. The Columbia River remains closed to recreational fishing until October, shifting angler focus to tributaries and lakes. Coho and Chinook action has been strong in select rivers, with Drano Lake continuing to produce consistent limits. Meanwhile, Merwin and Yale Lakes have been hit-or-miss, and some rivers like the Kalama are underperforming. Cooler weather is influencing fish movement, and anglers willing to adapt are finding success in deeper pockets and quieter stretches.
Lewis River
Water flow on the Lewis River is reported at 1,400 cfs, though it feels significantly lower. Navigating the river by sled was challenging, with gravel bars posing a risk to jet foot motors. Fishing in the lower river near the golf course started slow, but action picked up upriver with multiple Chinook and a steelhead landed in just a couple of hours. Bank anglers also found success, with most fish caught being wild. Drift fishing with eggs was the standout technique, especially in 10–20 feet of water, where boat avoidance proved key.
Kalama River
Fishing conditions on the Kalama River remain poor. Anglers reported little to no luck both above and below the weir. However, tule Chinook flossers are seeing better results, suggesting a narrow window of opportunity. Despite the weir being intact and active, overall catch rates are disappointing. No boat effort was reported, reinforcing the slow trend.
Washougal River
The Washougal River continues to impress, with steady fish movement and strong catch rates. Fishing on Monday yielded five to six fish across various locations, with lower river flossers doing well. Twitching jigs were the only consistently productive method, outperforming eggs, spinners, and wiggle warts. The upper river was quiet, with few anglers and sparse fish sightings. Colder weather is expected to push fish into deeper pockets, making bobber and eggs a promising strategy for the weekend.
Cowlitz River
Despite robust hatchery activity, the Cowlitz River has been slow for anglers. Tacoma Power reported significant fish recovery and release numbers, including Chinook, coho, steelhead, and cutthroat. However, on-the-ground reports were minimal, with only one early morning Chinook and otherwise poor results. River flow below Mayfield Dam is steady at 2,410 cfs. Bank and boat anglers alike are seeing limited success, with only a few steelhead and coho reported.
Drano Lake
Drano Lake remains a hotspot, delivering excellent results for both trolling and hover fishing. Chinook are being caught consistently, with Pro Trolls, spinners, and bait-stuffed super baits all proving effective. Early mornings favor cut plugs and tuna-based baits, while spinners take over once the sun rises. Hover anglers are experimenting with egg cures and scent additives, with salt playing a surprising role in success. Limits are common, and the bite remains strong across techniques.
Merwin and Yale Lakes
Fishing at Merwin Lake has slowed considerably, with most anglers shifting to Yale Lake. Many two-year fish have moved into creeks and hatcheries, leaving smaller one-year fish for those willing to work. Limits are still possible, especially with downriggers set 45–55 feet deep. Anglers without downriggers are using lead weights and long setbacks to reach fish. Pinks and greens behind silver dodgers, paired with corn-soaked lures, are the top producers.
Columbia River
The Columbia River is closed to recreational fishing this week, with no meeting scheduled to reopen it before October 1st. Last weekend’s creel reports showed strong Chinook numbers across multiple locations, including Bonneville, Vancouver, and Woodland. Bank and boat anglers found success, but those opportunities are now paused. Anglers are advised to shift focus to tributaries until the river reopens. Stay tuned for updates as the season progresses.
Long Beach/Buoy 10
WDFW announced tentative razor clam digs beginning October 6. Digs are scheduled nightly through October 12 across Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, and Copalis. Approvals will be confirmed weekly as conditions allow.
There is A LOT more for SW Washington Members here, and SW Washington members can find our complete Columbia River reports here.