Fishing across Southwest Washington remains steady this week, with standout action at Buoy 10 and Drano Lake. Chinook numbers are building in the estuary, while upriver fishing is slower due to persistent weeds. Steelhead runs are tapering off in the tributaries, and kokanee fishing at Merwin continues to produce, though results vary by day. The Columbia River is inconsistent, with weeds impacting success, but anglers are still finding fish with the right setups. Overall, conditions are mixed, but opportunities remain strong for those willing to adapt.
Lewis River
Flows are holding at around 1,300 cfs, just above seasonal lows, so anglers should proceed with caution. Chinook catch rates are improving, especially near Cedar Creek, where hookups have been solid. Steelhead fishing is hit or miss in the early mornings, with deeper eddies offering the best chances. Bobber dogging with beads and eggs continues to produce steady action. Eggs and coon shrimp are also working well in deeper holes, with Chinook responding to eggs paired with sand shrimp.
Kalama River
Reports from the Kalama remain sparse, though Chinook are pushing into the weir daily. One group landed a Tule near Camp Kalama on Saturday, but saw little other action. The river is running low, and coho are scarce, with no steelhead reports this week. Coho should begin arriving soon, especially as the Tule run slows. Bobber and eggs are effective, but most anglers are targeting Chinook by snagging rather than fishing.
Washougal River
No formal report this week, but observations from the 6th Ave bridge suggest slow conditions. Typically, this time of year sees crowds and visible fish, but neither were present on Saturday. Fish should begin pushing into the first deep hole any day now. Anglers are advised to keep an eye on conditions and be ready for the run to start.
Cowlitz River
Tacoma Power reported recovering a mix of spring and fall Chinook, summer-run steelhead, and cutthroat trout over five days. Releases were made into several tributaries, including the Cispus River and Lake Scanewa. Steelhead fishing is nearly done, with low angler effort and poor catch rates across the river. Even previously productive spots like Blue Creek have gone quiet. River flow below Mayfield Dam is at 3,310 cfs.
Drano Lake
Drano Lake is red hot this week, with steelhead and Chinook surging in response to rising dam counts. Trolling outside the lake has been productive for Chinook, while hover and bobber fishing near the Little White Salmon mouth is also delivering. Eggs and sand shrimp are catching bright fall Chinook and summer steelhead. If dam counts remain high, expect continued strong action. Anglers are reporting some of the best fishing of the season.
Columbia River
Fishing remains inconsistent across the Columbia, with drifting weeds making it difficult to stay in the zone. Despite that, anglers are finding success with super baits and cut plugs. Spinners have been less effective overall. The mouth of the Lewis saw a brief hot bite before fish surged past Bonneville, but weeds and reluctant fish remain a challenge. Vancouver anglers are especially frustrated by weed levels, making trolling nearly impossible.
Merwin and Yale Lakes
Kokanee fishing continues to be productive at both lakes, though success depends on timing and technique. Early mornings are best due to heavy boat traffic. Fish are holding 60–70 feet down, with short setbacks and orange or pink gear proving effective. Spin-N-Glos, spinners, and hoochies tipped with tuna-soaked corn are working well. Many fish are staging near tributary mouths, showing early signs of spawning.
Buoy 10 / Long Beach
Buoy 10 is on fire this week, with anglers finding fish both above and below the bridge. Warm water is holding fish back from heading upriver, creating excellent conditions. Reports from Monday and Tuesday describe some of the best fishing experiences of the season. Marine Area 1 will open August 30th for one more day due to the remaining quota. Hooded anchovies, spinners, and cut plugs stuffed with tuna are all producing, with 360 flashers outperforming triangles.