SW Washington fishing report for January 31st
Late steelhead bite tough-low water to blame. Will coming rains help? Big brooders/steelhead boost lowland lakes trout. Columbia River walleye very slow.
Best bets for weekend fishing
Late run steelhead arriving in Cowlitz, Kalama Rivers
Silver Lake crappie, yellow perch rated excellent
Lowland trout lakes fishing boosted by surplus steelhead, brooder trout
Last call for Washougal River, Salmon Creek, and Rock Creek winters
Weather: SW WA is expected to finally receive some rain, but whether it will be enough to raise the rivers is anybody’s guess. The Cowlitz is expected to have good flows either way, but the Kalama, Washougal, and other rivers may remain too low for good fishing unless the rains are heavy enough. Cloudy, wet conditions could still improve the bite.
Columbia River
The walleye bite in The Dalles, and John Day Pools has slowed due to cold water. It is running close to 40 degrees, and the few anglers that have been out recently report fishing is very slow. Until the river warms, it will remain slow.
Anglers plunking the lower Columbia should soon start to see some winter steelhead in the next couple weeks.
Cowlitz River
Last week, Tacoma Power employees recovered 137 Coho adults, 182 winter-run Steelhead, and two fall Chinook adults over four days of operations at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery separator.
River flow below Mayfield Dam was 9,730 cubic feet per second on Monday, January 26. Water visibility is 2 feet and water temperature is 43.2(F). River flows could change at any time so boaters and anglers should remain alert for this possibility.
Get information about river flows and lake levels at MyTPU.org/LakeLevels.
The river is still high and muddy, especially below the Toutle River. However, it is starting to clear. Steelheading is very slowly picking up, but with the other rivers low, expect company at the Cowlitz if you go. Best techniques are plunking in the lower river, with spin-n-glos and coon shrimp. Bobber fishing with beads, eggs and jigs has been effective in the upper river. Some anglers in the Blue Creek area are drifting, and a few fish are falling for spinners.
You can check the Cowlitz River gauge below the Mayfield Dam here. State creel surveys will begin again in mid-February.
Lewis River
The Lewis is slowing for hatchery steelhead, although there are still some around. For the most part the fishing from now on will be for the later returning wild steelhead. These fish will run a bit larger than the Chamber’s Creek stock used for the hatchery run. Above Johnson Creek, there is a night closure and anti-snagging rules. Water conditions are improving.
The first spring Chinook was caught on the Lewis River a couple of weeks ago, lending hope to fishers that it might be a good season. The river is running at about 2,500 CFS at the gauge below Merwin Dam. You can check the Lewis River gauge just below the Merwin dam here.
This is the last year that anglers can target the early returning Chambers Creek stock of steelhead. The river has been switched over to the late returning steelhead stocks currently being used in the Cowlitz and Kalama rivers.
Anglers have been fishing drift gear, beads, jigs, bait, and plugs.
North Coast Winter Steelhead with Mike Hazen
Join Mike Hazen of Hazen’s Guide Service to learn the tips and tricks of successful North Coast winter steelhead fishing.
Bob Rees will host this event for The Guide’s Forecast.
Kalama River
The Kalama is running low and cold, and the fishing has slowed as a result. A few winter steelhead have been taken, but the river needs a lift. Bobber methods have been the go-to in the low water.
Mayfield Lake
Water clarity is currently slowing the trout fishing, but it is improving. The forecasted rain should not affect the water quality. There may still be some floating debris, so use caution. Best bet is trolling dodgers and lake trolls with a wedding ring tipped with worms or shrimp.
Lake Merwin
The Kokanee fishing is improving as the lake slowly clears out. The water level has been fluctuating, and the launch is usable again. Look for the schools to be near the surface on cloudy days, and a little deeper when it is sunny. Jigging can get fish, but most anglers troll dodgers and kokanee rings tipped with kokanee corn.
Trout Stocking
You can check the trout stocking report here.
Kress Lake received more steelhead lately. However, with the river returns down from the low water, fewer excess steelhead have been available lately.
Maryhill Pond in Klickitat County was recently stocked with 500 rainbows at 2.5 per pound.