SW Washington fishing report
By Terry Otto
Shad run nears 3 million over Bonneville, but is slowing. Cowlitz still best trib for steelhead, Chinook. Walleye bite continues hot. Trout, panfish good in local lakes.
Best weekend bets
- Hike-in trout lakes offer good fishing, solitude
- Cowlitz salmon/steelhead fair, other tribs slow
- Columbia River walleye bite very good
- Shad run: over 2.7 million cross Bonneville Dam
- Swift Reservoir, power canal trout good
- Goose Lake trout bite very good
- Bass and panfish biting in lowland lakes
Weather
SW Washington weather is expected to be sunny, with no rain forecast over the next week. Highs will be around 80 this weekend, but will remain in the 70’s through the week.
Columbia River
Salmon/steelhead
Fishing has slowed in the mainstem Columbia River, particularly for Chinook. Steelhead catches were the best in the Longview area, where 182 bank anglers kept 34 steelhead and released seven steelhead. 23 boats/54 rods kept 16 steelhead, one sockeye, and released nine steelhead and three sockeye. The action was slow elsewhere, including by the deadline below Bonneville Dam.
Summer Chinook numbers are rising, with 47,297 Chinook having crossed over Bonneville Dam as of Wednesday. This beats the forecast of around 38,000, but still no word on whether anglers will get a chance at these fish.
Walleye
The good folks at the Gorge Outfitters Supply in Rufus are reporting that the strong walleye bite continues. Anglers are doing quite well for walleye in the 1-to-3-pound range, and some larger fish are also coming to hand. Buddy Dupell of Columbia River Fishing Adventures also reports excellent fishing. The bite does not seem to be slowing at all. The schools continue to hold from 12 to 30 feet. The best bite is still coming on the worm harnesses, which is the most effective method for summer walleyes.
Cowlitz River
Fishing has slowed for spring Chinook, but have picked up for steelhead. In the latest creel above the I-5 bridge, 39 bank anglers kept four Chinook, one jack, three steelhead, and released two Chinook and six jacks. 47 boats/220 rods kept one Chinook, 56 steelhead, and released one Chinook. Anglers targeting steelhead are gathering in the first few miles below Blue Creek. Boat anglers are mostly fishing beads or bait by bobber-dogging. While bank anglers are fishing beads, bait, or jigs below a bobber. Other methods that can work include tossing hardware, and drifting.
Lewis River
Fishing continues to be slow on the Lewis River, both for Chinook and steelhead. During the last creel survey, five bank anglers had no catch. 10 boats/13 rods kept one steelhead. The few anglers working the river have been concentrating near the hatchery, with some bank anglers gathering below the hatchery trap deadline, and near the mouth of Cedar Creek, while boat anglers are working the reaches below the hatchery by bobber-dogging with bait or beads, fishing the same offerings below a bobber, or by tossing hardware.
Merwin Reservoir
Kokanee fishing remains good. The sunny weather this weekend and into next week should push the schools deeper, so anglers need to use their electronics to make sure they are fishing at the right depth. Be ready to deploy down-riggers or divers to reach the fish. Your electronics will be critical to locate the right depth to target. The fish are taking trolled hoochies or kokanee spinners tipped with kokanee corn and fished behind dodgers. Be ready to adapt as the schools move deeper.
Blue Green Algae
This is the time of year when warming waters can bring about blooms of blue-green algae. Currently, Lacamas Lake and Rowland Lake have been declared to have toxic algae present. Another lake that will eventually be flagged is Vancouver Lake.
If you arrive at your favorite lake, and find the water to be a pea-green color, or if you see a greenish scum on the surface, do not let your dog in the water, and be careful not to make much contact with the water. The only way to know if the algae is toxic is for the state to test it. If you see signs posted, that means the lake has been determined to have a toxic bloom going on, but any bloom can sicken animals or people if too much is swallowed. Also, these blooms can actually kill dogs. Use caution, keep your pets and children out of the water if there are signs of a bloom, and check the state website before you go fishing.
You can check the Washington state algae postings here.