In SW Washington, rivers blown out, larger rivers will stay high, smaller systems better bet later next week. High inflows could slow trout lakes. Tough week ahead for most fisheries.
Best bets for weekend fishing
Silver Lake crappie, yellow perch still rated excellent
Lowland trout lakes fishing rated fair to good
Last call for Washougal River, Salmon Creek, and Rock Creek winters
Columbia River walleye bite slowed by rising water, weather.
Columbia steelhead, Springers poor
Weather Dry weather arrives for this weekend, but high-water damage already done. Mostly dry through the week, too, with only some showers around. With some rivers at Action stage, the low rain forecast is a blessing. Water temperatures in most rivers have yet to warm to over 50 degrees.
Columbia River
Plunkers and boat anglers in the lower river from Bonneville down did poorly this week, even before the rains arrived. A total of 228 surveyed anglers, both bank and boats, caught a paltry 9 steelhead and no spring Chinook.
The rising waters will also make for difficult walleye fishing in the Columbia pools. This, just as it was getting really good.
Cowlitz River
Last week, Tacoma Power employees recovered 335 winter-run Steelhead, four spring Chinook, one cutthroat trout and 13 Coho adults over five days of operations at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery separator. River flows below Mayfield Dam were 5,180 cubic feet per second on Monday, March 9, 2026, but has since raised to 12,700 CFS. Water visibility is 5 feet and water temperature is 44.2 (F). River flows could change at any time so boaters and anglers should remain alert for this possibility.
In the river below the I-5 Bridge, 216 surveyed anglers, all bank anglers, kept 11 steelhead. Most anglers were plunking with Spin-n-glos and coon shrimp. In the upper river, above the I-5 Bridge, the fishing was better, with 63 bank anglers keeping 3 steelhead, and 116 boat anglers keeping 46 steelhead. Most boat anglers are bobber-dogging with beads or bait in the first few miles below Blue Creek. Most bank anglers are hitting the area just below the creek. Bank anglers are fishing beads, bait, or jigs below a bobber, with a few drifting Corkies. Tipping the Corky with sand shrimp or coon shrimp can also draw takers.
Mayfield Lake
The high flows in the Cowlitz could make the fishing at Mayfield difficult this coming week, and maybe even longer. Expect the water to get dirty, and debris could make trolling difficult. Anglers might give it a pass for the week.
Lewis River
The Lewis River is now running at over 17 feet, and is expected to crest this weekend at 18 feet. These are dangerous flows for boats on the Lewis. In the most recent state survey, four bank anglers had no catch. 4 boats/13 rods kept two steelhead and released five steelhead. No spring Chinook catches were recorded. Bobber methods have been the most popular technique. A few bank anglers are drifting.
You can check the Lewis River Gauge at Woodland here.
Kalama River
This mid-sized river might drop into fishable condition after this weekend. Boaters should probably give the river a pass until then. Bank anglers might some decent steelheading in the upper river, but river conditions could make it tough. In the lates state creel survey, 23 bank anglers kept two steelhead and released two steelhead. 5 boats/11 rods kept two steelhead. Bobber methods, hardware, and drift methods have all been effective. Pulling plugs is also effective for boat anglers.
Lake Merwin
The Kokanee fishing had continued to improve, but with the high flows the lake will undoubtedly get dirty. That could definitely make the fishing difficult for a while. Also, floating debris could make boating dangerous. Anglers will need to wait and see how the lake’s condition looks this coming week. However, it does not look good. Most anglers have been trolling dodgers with kokanee rings tipped with corn. In dirty water, chartreuse colored offerings may draw more bites.
Trout stocking
Battle Ground Lake-was planted with 1,500 catchable rainbows at 2.3 per pound on March 9. Anglers fishing off the fishing dock are doing well with Powerbait.