SW Washington fishing report for April 12th
Columbia River spring Chinook over, awaiting reopening. Tributary winter steelhead dropping off, summer steelhead coming in. Trout stockings boosted in lowland lakes.
Best bets for weekend fishing
Tributary spring Chinook heating up
Columbia River walleye bite still very good
Salmon Creek steelhead retention extended
Columbia tributary summer steelhead improving, winters dropping off.
Lowland trout lakes fishing rated good, heavy stockings boost the bite.
Weather
There is a big shift on the way, as spring-like sunny, warm weather will change to rain and cooler temps. Heavy rains arriving this weekend will be followed by showers, clouds, and cooler temps through the next week.
Columbia River
Springer fishing did pick up during the last week of the season, but it was not as good as expected. Catches were pretty good for some anglers, and the best catches were, once again, in the Woodland to Longview area. There were a few taken by bank anglers below Bonneville, but only a few.
Walleye
The good folks at the Gorge Outfitters Supply in Rufus report that the walleye bite continues to be very good, and the schools are now moving into shallower water. Anglers are finding the walleye in 30 to 50 feet of water, and some large females are in the mix. The bite is very good, and this may be a year when there is not much of a lull as the fish begin spawning. At least, so far there has been no slacking off of the good bite. Bottom-walking worm harnesses and deep diving plugs have been very effective, but with the fish in shallow, jigging could be good.
In the Camas area, a few walleye are being caught along the Washougal Reef. Bottom walkers are the most effective method for these schools.
Cowlitz River
Last week, Tacoma Power employees recovered 511 Winter-run Steelhead, 43 Spring Chinook adult, one Spring Chinook jack, and one Cutthroat adult over five days of operations at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery separator. River flows below Mayfield Dam were 11,600 cubic feet per second on Monday, April 6, 2026. Water visibility is 5 feet and water temperature is 44.7 (F). River flows could change at any time so boaters and anglers should remain alert for this possibility.
During the most recent creel survey, above the I-5 Bridge, 86 bank anglers kept two Chinook, 11 steelhead and released four steelhead. 10 boats/40 rods kept 11 steelhead. Below the bridge, 86 bank anglers kept two Chinook, 11 steelhead and released four steelhead. No report on boat anglers.
Mayfield Lake
Mayfield was stocked with 5,400 catchable rainbows at 2.7 per pound on April 2nd. The lake has cleared out and is in good condition. Most anglers are trolling with kokanee dodgers or lake trolls with small spinners or other trout lures. The plug-cut plastic lures that fill with bait are very effective.
Lewis River
The Lewis River is on the drop, and is expected to be running from 10 to 11 feet by the weekend and into next week. Conditions are good. Spring Chinook and summer steelhead are beginning to arrive in the Lewis River. Much of the action is centered between the town of Woodland, and the hatchery. For boat anglers, hover fishing with salmon eggs in the Meat Hole below the hatchery trap has been one of the best options. For bank anglers, salmon eggs fished below a bobber is hard to beat. Look for the steelhead in faster water, and drifting or bobber fishing will take these fish.
Merwin Lake
Kokanee fishing has returned to a better bite after the lake was dirtied by the rains of March. The fish are taking trolled kokanee spinners tipped with kokanee corn and fished behind dodgers. The fish are still near the surface, and with the forecast rains this weekend, and cloudy, showery weather into next week, the schools should continue to stay in the upper reaches of the water column.
Kalama River
Winter steelheading is slowing, and so far, the fishing for spring Chinook has been slow. A few have been taken, and there are a few summer steelhead arriving. Recent creel surveys checked some bank anglers but found no fish. The river has been dropping, and is just a little low right now, but rain is forecast for this weekend.
Trout Stockings and reports
Battle Ground Lake
Battle Ground Lake was stocked with 1,500 catchable rainbows at 2.05 per pound on April 7. Anglers have been doing well fishing off the dock with Powerbait. Boat anglers are also getting some fish.
Horseshoe Lake
The lake was stocked with 3,240 catchable rainbows at 2.70 per pound on April 7. No report on angler success.
You can check the WDFW trout stocking reports here.