The lower Columbia below Warrior Rock closed just as the entire river lit up, producing hot Chinook action from Warrior Rock to Bonneville Dam. Tributaries are fishing great for Chinook, with many anglers scoring, and an early coho push is delivering near limits on a few rivers. Kokanee are better at Yale than Merwin for those who can launch at low water, and no new creel, escapement, or weir reports were released this week.
LEWIS RIVER
Lewis River flows are steady near 1,300 cfs, just above seasonal lows, so boaters should run cautiously. Chinook action picked up around Cedar Creek, and coho surged with lots of active fish pushing upriver. Lighter line made a big difference in the skittish conditions, and back-bouncing or side-drifting outproduced other methods. Hotter-cured eggs in smaller clusters were the ticket for boats putting fish in the net.
KALAMA RIVER
Chinook are pushing in hard and the river is flush with tule fish, but heavy snagging pressure has fish wary and tough to take on legal gear. The best bet is the first rapids below Camp Kalama, where Chinook stack up. Early-morning spinners are the most reliable, simple choice in the low, clear water. Expect skittish fish and selective bites.
WASHOUGAL RIVER
Tule Chinook have poured into the Washougal, with more arriving daily. A few anglers are connecting in the first holes, but the bite fades as you move upstream. Coho haven’t shown in numbers yet, which is typical until the B-run builds. Spinners, twitching jigs, and dawn eggs under a bobber are producing, but you must hunt less-pressured pockets.
COWLITZ RIVER
Hatchery operations reported notable spring and fall Chinook, coho, steelhead, and cutthroat handled at the separator, with adults and jacks released across Franklin Bridge, the Cispus, Lake Scanewa, and the Tilton. Flow below Mayfield Dam was 2,400 cfs on Monday, September 8, 2025. On-the-water reports were sparse and largely negative this week, with few Chinook, coho, or steelhead observed by anglers.
DRANO LAKE
Drano is on fire, outproducing anywhere else in SW Washington. Trollers are scoring inside and outside on Pro Trolls with spinners, Super Baits, and cut plugs. Hover fishing is slower with trout and peamouth stealing bait, but persistence still finds some Chinook. Steelhead remain solid near the Little White Salmon mouth, and early coho are showing.
COLUMBIA RIVER
The Columbia closed below Warrior Rock just as fishing went red hot from Astoria to Bonneville. Nearly everything is working behind Pro Trolls, with strong catches near Ridgefield’s deadline and consistent trolling success. Plunkers in Vancouver are heating up, and the Sandy mouth has been producing well for trollers. Below Bonneville, spinners behind Pro Trolls outfished other setups for full family limits.
MERWIN AND YALE LAKE
Kokanee limits are still happening for those tracking deep schools, but Yale is outshining Merwin this week. Recreational traffic has eased, making weekends friendlier, though some kokanee are coloring up and being released for quality. The Yale launch remains closed due to low water, but smaller boats are finding workarounds. Most fish are 60–65 feet (some to 70), with downriggers and fish finders key near spawning tributary mouths. Spin-Glos, spinners, and hoochies tipped with corn are working without a standout color.
LONG BEACH / BUOY 10
With lower-river Chinook retention closed, coho is an option, though pressure is light and reports are scarce. WDFW announced tentative razor clam digs Oct. 6–12 across Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, and Copalis, pending approvals. Watch for weekly confirmation as dates approach.