County-by-County [C]...

This section gives a brief description of fishing opportunities in each county, arranged in alphabetical order. For specific regulation information, refer to the Fishing in Washington sport fishing rules pamphlet. Until the current year's pamphlet is available (usually by May 1 at the latest), continue to use the previous edition. Also check local newspapers or the nearest WDFW regional office for the latest information on emergency closures.

The wheelchair symbol indicates lakes or streams with enhanced accessibility.

CHELAN COUNTY

Beehive Reservoir (12 acres): This small lake seven miles southwest of Wenatchee has a fair carry-over of rainbow and eastern brook trout, and is planted with catchable-size rainbows as weather and conditions allow. The season opens on the last Saturday in April, with catch-and-release, selective gear rules from July 5 to the October 31 closure.

Chelan, Lake: Good fishing for nice-sized kokanee is usually available from mid-April through June. In June and July, catchable-size rainbow trout are planted in the lower lake near Chelan/Manson. Some fine wild trout fishing, mostly for rainbows, occurs throughout the upper lake basin above 25 Mile Creek beginning in early spring. Trophy anglers have a chance to catch both landlocked chinook salmon and lake trout (mackinaw) in the spring and early summer months. The long-standing state lake trout record (since 1966) was broken here in 1999 by a 31 lb, 2.75 ounce fish. Burbot (freshwater ling) offer excellent fishing opportunities from February through April, with jig fishing popular in the Manson/Wapato Point area. A limited smallmouth bass fishery exists. Although most of the lake is open year-round, the upper end and numerous tributary stream-mouths are closed during April, May and June to protect pre-spawning adult trout; check the current regulations pamphlet carefully for details.

Clear Lake (5 acres): There is a fair carry-over of both rainbow and eastern brook trout in this small lake eight miles south of Wenatchee. It is planted with catchable rainbows as weather and road conditions allow. The season opens last Saturday in April. Catch-and-release, selective gear rules apply from July 5 to the closing date of October 31.

Columbia River Pools: Fair walleye fishing is available in power dam tailraces below Wells, Rocky Reach and Rock Island dams. Best chance for large (10-pound) walleyes is from February through April. Sturgeon are occasionally caught in this area; however, all sturgeon caught upstream of Priest Rapids Dam must be released. Backwater sloughs hold bass, perch and sunfish. Steelhead fishing is closed because of ESA listing. A few large fall chinook salmon are caught in the Wenatchee area; check the regulations for dates and other specific information. Whitefish are available on shallow gravel bars below river mouths.

Dry Lake (77 acres): Also known as Grass Lake, there are some good-size largemouth bass available in this lake 8 miles northwest of the town of Chelan. It also has an over-abundance of yellow perch, sunfish, crappie and some large brown bullheads. Fishing will be good in March and April if spring weather has been warm, but difficult in mid-summer due to excessive emergent vegetation.

Entiat River: Most of the Entiat and some of its tributaries are closed to all fishing starting June 1, 2000, because of ESA listings for steelhead, chinook and bull trout. The area above Entiat Falls is open to trout fishing, as are other small tributaries where anadromous species do not exist. Whitefish angling is reinstated from the Highway 97 bridge to Entiat Falls from December 1 through March 31. Please check the regulations pamphlet.

Fish Lake (513 acres): This heavily-stocked lake about 16 miles north of Leavenworth is a good producer all year. The angling effort is split between trout and perch anglers. Fly fishing for rainbows is best in spring and fall months. Trophy brown trout are available for those willing to work at it. Perch fishing is best in early summer, but good catches are made all year, even through the ice. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass are available. Check the regulations pamphlet for special trout size and catch limits.

Icicle Creek: This heavily-fished stream has lots of small wild rainbow and cutthroat trout in higher tributaries and away from roads and campgrounds. Trout season is open June 1 through October 31, with selective gear rules in effect. Below the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery, the river is closed to fishing year-round. The spring chinook fishery will likely open in early to mid-May, pending discussions with the National Marine Fisheries Service. Exact opening and closing dates and daily limits are yet to be determined. Check local newspapers or the WDFW regional office in Ephrata for the latest information. Steelhead fishing is closed because of ESA listing. Night closure and non-bouyant lure restrictions are in effect from June 1 through June 30.

Lily Lake (15 acres): This small lake 8 miles south of Wenatchee has a fair carry-over of both rainbows and eastern brook trout. It is planted with hatchery rainbows and brookies as weather and road conditions allow. Open season is from the last Saturday in April to October 31. Catch-and-release, selective gear rules are in effect from July 5 through the closure.

Little Wenatchee River: The river is closed to fishing below the falls (see regulations pamphlet for area description) because of ESA listings for steelhead, chinook and bull trout. Hatchery rainbows are no longer stocked, but small wild rainbow and cutthroat trout are common above the falls where fishing is open under statewide rules.

Meadow Lake (36 acres): This artificial lake one mile southwest of Malaga offers fair fishing for warmwater species. Muddy water conditions prevail through most of the irrigation season.

Nason Creek: Small wild rainbow and cutthroat trout are common in the upper reaches. Check the regulations pamphlet for special size restrictions and closed water area. Selective gear rules are in effect for part of the open area.

Roses Lake (131 acres): This lake seven miles northwest of the town of Chelan provides a good winter fishery for catchable-size rainbow trout in the 11- to 20-inch range planted in the fall. Largemouth bass, black crappie and channel catfish have also been planted. The public access area has a boat launch, and the season is open year-round.

Wapato Lake (186 acres): Located about 8 miles northwest of the town of Chelan, Wapato is the best spring trout fishing opportunity in Chelan County, and should be good for rainbows from 10 to 16 inches. The lake has also been selected to receive a bonus plant of large triploid rainbow trout (averaging 1-1/2 pounds apiece) before opening day. These sterile fish can grow to trophy size if not harvested. Private campgrounds are located at both ends of the lake. The former public access area at the east end of the lake is no longer controlled by WDFW; expect to pay a small launch fee to use this site. The season opens the last Saturday in April, with catch-and-release, selective gear rules from August 1 to the October 31 closure. Internal combustion engines are allowed.

Wenatchee Lake (2,445 acres): This natural lake 15 miles north of Leavenworth should produce small kokanee beginning in April. The limit on kokanee has been changed to five fish. Check local newspapers or with the WDFW regional office in Ephrata for the latest information on the August anadromous sockeye salmon fishery that has taken place in the past. Anglers are reminded that bull trout (Dolly Varden) are closed to fishing, and to carefully release all bull trout caught. In 1998, bull trout in the Columbia River system were listed as a threatened species under the ESA. Wenatchee Lake is the main rearing area for these native char in the Wenatchee basin. Several campgrounds and access areas surround the lake. The season is open year-round.

Wenatchee River: Because of declining steelhead, chinook salmon and bull trout populations, the river will be closed to all fishing. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has designated steelhead and spring chinook runs in the upper Columbia River basin as in danger of becoming extinct. These listings preclude any fishing on trout and steelhead. WDFW is currently developing recovery plans. The one bright spot is that angling with bait will be allowed for whitefish only, provided that only hooks with a gap of 3/16-inch or smaller (size #14) are used.

CLALLAM COUNTY

Aldwell Lake (240 acres): This lake five miles southwest of Port Angeles is fair for wild rainbows, especially during the summer. Some brook trout are also available. The state access has a boat launch and two toilets. Check the regulations pamphlet for special regulations. Open season is from the last Saturday in April through October 31.

Beaver Lake (44 acres): Located about 11 miles south of Clallam Bay, this small lake is good for 6- to 10-inch cutthroat. Yellow perch and a few largemouth bass and crappie are also present. New regulations take effect for this lake beginning May 1, 2000: Daily limit of one trout, plus selective gear rules, except electric motors are allowed. Statewide rules apply for species other than trout. The season is open year-round.

Cline Spit: Located in the Strait of Juan de Fuca on the south shore of Dungeness Bay, beaches around the launch ramps and on the south shore of Dungeness Spit provide dipbag fishing for surf smelt October through January. The beach has been enhanced (by the Washington Department of Fisheries) with Pacific oysters.

Crescent Lake: Contained within Olympic National Park, Crescent Lake is regulated by the National Park Service. Call (360) 452-4501 for information. The lake has unique populations of rainbow (Beardslee) and cutthroat (crescenti) trout.

Deep Creek, East and West Twin rivers: There is some public access east of the mouth of Deep Creek, at the East and West Twin Rivers, which provides access to surf smelt spawning from May through September.

Elwha River: The river between Aldwell Lake and Lake Mills provides quality fishing for native rainbow trout. Check the regulations pamphlet for seasons and special regulations.

John Wayne Marina: Dense concentrations of surf smelt are available here for jigging in the winter months.

Ozette Lake: Ozette is within Olympic National Park and regulated by the National Park Service. Call (360) 452-4501 for information. Cutthroat trout, yellow perch, largemouth bass, and northern pikeminnow are present.

Pleasant, Lake (500 acres): Located along Highway 101 about eight miles northeast of Forks, Pleasant Lake provides fair opportunity for cutthroat, with kokanee fishing improving later in the spring. There is an 8-inch minimum and 20-inch maximum length limit on kokanee to protect sockeye smolts and adults. The lake is open to fishing year-round.

Port Angeles boat haven: Occasional concentrations of surf smelt are available in winter months for jigging from floats in the boat basin.

Port Williams boat launch: This launch located at the southeastern point of Dungeness Bay provides access to Dungeness Bay coho salmon fishing when open from October 1 to October 31. The bay is closed to salmon fishing at all other times. Good access for crabbing in Marine Area 6.

Quillayute River system: There are several boat and bank access sites along each of the tributaries to this system, including the Quillayute, Dickey, Soleduck, Bogachiel and Calawah rivers. These rivers provide access to excellent salmon, steelhead and cutthroat fishing. Check the regulations pamphlet for seasons, open areas and catch limits.

Rialto Beach, Ruby Beach, and Beach Access #4 and #6: Dipping spawning surf smelt in high surf is a change from the usual Puget Sound surf smelt dipping. Most activity occurs May through September. The area north of Kalaloch is most popular. Some surf perch are also taken.

Strait of Juan de Fuca streams: Access is available to rivers and creeks including: Dungeness River, Morse Creek, Elwha River, Lyre River, Salt Creek, Pysht River, Clallam River, Hoko River and Sekiu River. These streams provide fair-to-good winter steelhead fishing and some summer steelhead and salmon opportunities. Check the regulations pamphlet for seasons, open areas and catch limits.

Sutherland Lake (370 acres): This lake 10 miles southwest of Port Angeles should be good for cutthroat and rainbow up to 12 inches or larger. The lake is stocked with rainbows in March and May. Also good-to-excellent kokanee fishing. There is a state access with boat launch and two toilets available. The lake is open to fishing year-round.

Wentworth Lake (54 acres): Located about 8 miles northwest of Forks, Wentworth is stocked with a few thousand rainbow trout in spring. The lake is open to fishing year-round.

Whiskey Creek Recreation Area: This area provides access to surf smelt spawning sites from May through September. An access fee may be charged.

CLARK COUNTY

Battle Ground Lake (30 acres): The lake and park were closed at press time due to health concerns! Check with the WDFW office in Vancouver or Washington State Parks for the latest information. Located inside a state park about two miles northwest of the city of Battle Ground, the lake offers good bank access, a small dock and a boat launch.. When opened, fishing should be very good for planted rainbow trout, including a few broodstock (20-26 inches), and eastern brook trout. Surplus hatchery steelhead are planted during late winter and spring; a catch record card is not required to fish for or retain steelhead here; they become part of the trout daily limit. Daily limit is five trout, with no more than two over 20 inches. A few largemouth bass are also caught. Tent and trailer camping is available at Battle Ground Lake State Park, (360) 687-4621. Fishing season is year-round. Internal combustion motors are not allowed.

Canyon Creek: This North Fork Lewis River tributary is usually planted with several thousand catchable-size rainbow trout before the June 1 stream opener. Check with the U.S. Forest Service office in Chelatchie for current road access.

Columbia River: The Columbia offers both beach and boat angling as it passes through Clark County. Species available include sturgeon, shad, winter and summer steelhead, sea-run cutthroat trout, plus salmon during open seasons. Check local newspapers or with the regional WDFW office in Vancouver for the latest information on seasons and catch limits. WDFW office phone numbers are listed on the inside front cover. All wild cutthroat and steelhead must be released. From Bonneville Dam downstream to the mouth, the daily limit on sturgeon is one fish, 42-60 inches in length. Anglers can continue to catch-and-release sturgeon after they have legally recorded their daily bag limit. Fishing for shad peaks in June, with most of the effort in this area concentrated at the top end of Lady Island, near the mouth of Camas Slough and off the public dock in Washougal. Yellow perch, various catfish species, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and crappie are caught in the main river and connecting sloughs, with some walleye taken too. Check the regulations pamphlet for new walleye rules.

Klineline Pond: Located just west of I-5 next to Salmon Creek, north of Hazel Dell, this popular pond has a year-round open season. It is planted with rainbow trout to 12 inches, plus a few broodstock rainbows (20-26 inches), along with some brown trout to 12 inches, cutthroat trout to 18 inches, and excess hatchery summer and winter steelhead to 14 pounds. A catch record card is not required to fish for or retain steelhead in Klineline; they count as part of the trout daily limit. This lake has also been selected to receive a bonus plant of large triploid rainbow trout (averaging 1-1/2 pounds apiece). These sterile fish can grow to trophy size if not harvested. Daily limit of trout is five, with no more than two over 20 inches.

Lacamas Lake (315 acres): Located north of Camas, this year-round lake produces stocked brown trout up to 14 inches, plus some rainbows. Fair-to-good action for largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, brown bullheads, plus a few pumpkinseed sunfish and channel catfish is available. The access area is small and caution needs to be taken when launching boats. Resorts and public shoreline provide access for bank anglers. Disabled accessibility - level 2. DP, Blk Tpa.

Lewis River, East Fork: The East Fork Lewis offers fishing for summer and winter steelhead. All wild steelhead must be released. Both boat and bank angling are available. All salmon angling is closed in the East Fork Lewis, and the river upstream from Sunset Falls is closed to all angling under permanent regulations.

Lewis River, main stem: The main stem produces spring and fall chinook and coho salmon, summer and winter steelhead, and sea-run cutthroat. A popular and crowded spring chinook fishery has typically taken place near the mouth from mid-March through May. Some opportunity is possible this year. Late summer and fall months bring lots of interest in fall chinook, coho and steelhead, but restrictions will be needed to protect depressed runs of wild fall chinook. Check with the regional WDFW office in Vancouver for the latest information on seasons and catch limits. WDFW office phone numbers are listed on the inside front cover. All wild steelhead and wild cutthroat must be released. Some bank access is available along the dike area. There are several public and private boat launches along the lower Lewis, including a WDFW launch on the dike just below the confluence of the East and North Forks.

Lewis River, North Fork: The area above Eagle Cliff Bridge to the lower falls is open to catch-and-release, selective gear rules fishing with a standard June 1 opener. Including tributaries, this opens up 136 miles of potential blue-ribbon trout waters. The lower river has traditionally provided fishing opportunities for coho and chinook salmon, steelhead, and sea-run cutthroat trout, with lots of bank and boat access. Hatchery sea-run cutthroat are no longer released into the North Fork Lewis. To protect wild steelhead "jacks," the trout minimum size limit increases to 20 inches effective May 1, 2000. This year, spring chinook returns should be slightly improved, with some fishing opportunity expected. The current outlook for fall chinook is poor, and some fishery curtailments are expected. Returns of early and late hatchery coho should be good this year, though. Check with the regional WDFW office in Vancouver for the latest information on seasons and catch limits. WDFW office phone numbers are listed on the inside front cover. All wild steelhead and cutthroat must be released. Popular and productive spots near the salmon hatchery and Cedar Creek Hole can be extremely crowded. For updated river flows, call 1-800-547-1501.

Merwin (Lake) Reservoir (4,090 acres): This North Fork Lewis River impoundment located near the town of Ariel is shared by Clark and Cowlitz counties, with 2,400 acres in Clark County and 1,690 in Cowlitz. Kokanee are the main target. Angling is best in early spring, with fish in the 10-inch class. Small northern pikeminnows are numerous and pesky; tiger muskies were planted in 1995 to help control their population. There is a 36-inch minimum size limit on the muskies. The lake is open to fishing year-round. Call 1-800-547-1501 for updated reservoir levels.

Salmon Creek: This stream can provide good fishing for hatchery winter steelhead and sea-run cutthroat trout. Good access is available near Salmon Creek (Klineline Pond) Park.

Washougal River: The Washougal supports a summer and winter steelhead fishery. Summer-run fishing peaks in June and July, while the winter-run catches are usually best in December and January. Sea-run cutthroat releases have been discontinued in the Washougal. All wild cutthroat and steelhead must be released. Some fall salmon fisheries are possible this year. Check the pamphlet for salmon seasons, and be alert for emergency closures.

Yale Reservoir (3,802 acres): This North Fork Lewis River reservoir has 2,023 acres in Clark County and 1,779 acres in Cowlitz County. Kokanee fishing is the main attraction. Shallow fishing for kokanee is best in the spring and fall; in the summer, deep fishing is the rule. Some cutthroat trout are caught near the mouth of Siouxon Creek, and Yale also has a few bull trout. All bull trout and Dolly Varden must be released. Boat ramps are available at Saddle Dam, Yale, Cougar Camp and Beaver Bay. The lake is open to fishing year-round. Call 1-800-547-1501 for updated reservoir levels.

COLUMBIA COUNTY

Beaver, Big Four, Blue, Deer, Rainbow, Spring, and Watson lakes: All of these small, bank-fishing-only lakes off the Tucannon River have public access. They have been well-stocked with 10- to 12-inch rainbow trout, and several lakes received some 1-1/2 to 2 pound rainbows. Open season is March 1 through October 31 on all these lakes, and fishing from any floating device is prohibited on all of them. Big Four is fly-fishing only, with a 2-fish daily limit. Disabled accessibility at Blue, Rainbow, Spring and Watson - Level 2. WCT, dirt paths.

Curl Lake (3 acres): This small lake off the Tucannon River is used as a salmon smolt acclimation pond, so it opens later (last Saturday in April) than other nearby lakes. The lake will be well-stocked with rainbow trout after the steelhead smolts have left in April. Fishing from any floating device is prohibited. Disabled accessibility - WCT, gravel paths, level parking lot (Camp Wooten Area).

Dam Pond: Located just above Little Goose Dam, this small pond off the Snake River gets rainbow trout catchables for early-season fishing.

Dayton Juvenile Pond: As its name suggests, this is a juveniles-only fishing pond in the town of Dayton. It gets annual plants of catchable-size rainbow trout, with a few in the 1-1/2 to 2-pound range. Open season is year-round.

Orchard Pond: This Snake River pond near the Lyons Ferry Marina provides early fishing on catchable-size rainbow trout.

Snake River: Refer to Garfield County.

Touchet River: Plants of catchable-size rainbow trout are uncertain this year and in the future in this Walla Walla River tributary. If hatchery fish are planted, it will only be downstream of the confluence of the North and South forks to protect wild trout. Check with the WDFW regional office in Spokane for more information. Special restrictions are in effect in some portions of the river to protect wild fish reproduction; check the regulations pamphlet.

Tucannon River: Plants of catchable-size rainbow trout are uncertain this year and in the future. Because of threatened species concerns, if any hatchery trout and steelhead are stocked it will be well downstream of the hatchery (at or below Marengo). Check with the WDFW regional office in Spokane for more information. Special restrictions are in effect in some portions to protect wild salmon and steelhead reproduction; check the current regulations pamphlet for details. The Tucannon River is closed to all salmon fishing, and all Tucannon tributaries except Pataha Creek are closed to fishing of any kind.

COWLITZ COUNTY

Abernathy and Germany creeks: These small streams west of Longview provide late summer and fall sea-run cutthroat fishing opportunities. Some steelhead are caught in the winter season beginning November 1. All wild cutthroat and steelhead must be released. These streams are closed to salmon angling at all times.

Castle Lake: Located in the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Castle Lake requires a 20-plus mile drive over rough logging roads, followed by a tough hike down a steep hillside to the lake. The key to finding the lake is to first find the Weyerhaeuser 3000 road. Would-be anglers not familiar with the area should get a St. Helens West hunting map, published by the Washington Forest Protection Association. Those who put forth the effort have a chance to catch dandy-size rainbow trout; fish up to 10 pounds have been reported. This is a self-sustaining fishery, with no fish planted, so selective gear rules are in effect, along with a one-fish, 16-inch minimum size limit. The lake is open year-round, but the road in is usually blocked by snow until at least May.

Coldwater Lake (750 acres): Located in the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument off SR 504, Coldwater Lake was formed by a debris dam resulting from the eruption of Mount St. Helens. Skamania and Cowlitz counties share this lake, but the main access is in Cowlitz County. Rainbow trout fingerlings stocked in the late 1980s have grown to impressive size, and are reproducing on their own. No additional planting is planned. Cutthroat trout also inhabit the lake. Selective gear rules are in effect, with a one-fish limit and 16-inch minimum size limit. Electric fishing motors are allowed. Shoreline access is limited, but a boat launch, fish cleaning station, and nature walk are available. The Forest Service charges an access fee to use the Coldwater facility; contact the Forest Service's Mount St. Helens monument headquarters (360/274-2131) for more information. Although the lake is open to fishing all year, access may not be available during winter. Disabled accessibility - Level 2 at the boat ramp. WCT, Blk Tpa, steep ramp.

Columbia River: This stretch of the Columbia offers beach and boat angling for sturgeon, winter and summer steelhead, sea-run cutthroat trout, plus salmon during open seasons. Shad are available as they pass through on their way upstream. A minor boat fishery for shad takes place several miles downstream from the Lewis River mouth. Angling opportunities for anadromous fish vary with the seasons and health of the individual runs. Check with the regional WDFW office in Vancouver for the latest information on seasons and catch limits. WDFW office phone numbers are listed on the inside front cover. All wild cutthroat and steelhead must be released. The river here reopens for steelhead and shad fishing on May 16. Sturgeon fishing can be good, especially during smelt runs. From Bonneville Dam downstream to the mouth, the daily sturgeon limit is one fish, 42-60 inches in length. Anglers can continue to catch-and-release sturgeon after they have legally recorded their daily bag limit. Yellow perch, various catfish species, largemouth and smallmouth bass and crappie are caught in the main river and connecting sloughs, with an occasional walleye showing up. Check the regulations pamphlet for new walleye rules.

Coweeman River: This Cowlitz River tributary provides good fishing for winter steelhead. Sea-run cutthroat trout are no longer released into this river. Anglers are reminded that all wild cutthroat and steelhead must be released. Salmon fishing on the Coweeman is closed.

Cowlitz River: The Cowlitz usually provides excellent fishing for summer and winter steelhead, plus some sea-run cutthroat angling. All right-ventral clipped steelhead must be released in the lower Cowlitz (below the Mayfield barrier dam); these fish will be used to provide natural production and enhance fishing opportunities in the upper river. All wild cutthroat and steelhead must be released. Limited spring chinook angling will be available this year. Coho salmon abundance is expected to be good this year, and some fall fisheries are possible. Limited sturgeon fishing takes place in the lower river. The smelt (eulachon) fishery has been closed on the Cowlitz and all other Washington lower Columbia tributaries, although the 2000 return showed signs of improvement. Refer to the Lewis County listing for more Cowlitz River information. For river flows, call Tacoma City Light fishing hotline at 1-888-502-8690.

Green River: This Toutle River tributary offers easy access along Weyerhaeuser logging roads (if the roads are not gated shut) for much of its length, and fair-to-good fishing for summer steelhead. All wild steelhead must be released, and the river is closed to all trout fishing other than steelhead. Improved fall coho salmon returns this year may allow a fishery. In addition, there will likely be opportunity to catch spring chinook. Check with the regional WDFW office in Vancouver for the latest information on seasons and catch limits. WDFW office phone numbers are listed on the inside front cover. Check the regulations pamphlet for legal fishing boundaries and open season for steelhead.

Horseshoe Lake (80 acres): Located in the city of Woodland, Horseshoe Lake provides lots of fishable shoreline at the city park, plus a public boat launch. The lake is open year-round. It is planted with catchable-size brown and rainbow trout and a few broodstock rainbows (20-26 inches). Excess adult hatchery steelhead and sea-run cutthroat have also been planted. A catch record card is not required to fish for steelhead in the lake; they count as part of the trout daily limit. Horseshoe has also been selected to receive a bonus plant of large triploid rainbow trout (averaging 1-1/2 pounds apiece). These sterile fish can grow to trophy size if not harvested. The daily trout limit is five fish, with no more than two over 20 inches. The lake also supports populations of largemouth bass and a few other warmwater fish.

Kalama River: The Kalama gets both summer and winter steelhead, spring and fall chinook, early and late stock coho, and sea-run cutthroat trout. Hatchery sea-run cutthroat are not released into the Kalama. All wild cutthroat and steelhead must be released. To further protect wild steelhead, all of the hatchery winter and summer steelhead returning to Kalama Falls hatchery are recycled downstream to the lower river. To protect wild steelhead "jacks," the trout minimum size limit increases to 20 inches effective May 1, 2000. Spring chinook and coho returns are expected to be improved this year, and some fisheries are possible. Check with the regional WDFW office in Vancouver for the latest information on seasons and catch limits. WDFW office phone numbers are listed on the inside front cover. The river is easily accessible from I-5, and gets quite a bit of pressure from the surrounding metropolitan areas. A section is set aside for fly-fishing only; check the regulations pamphlet for boundaries.

Kress Lake (30 acres): This popular spring-fed lake is located near I-5 and the Kalama River Road, about three miles north of the city of Kalama. Kress is open year-round. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout to 12 inches, rainbow broodstock (20 to 26 inches), brown trout to 12 inches, cutthroat trout to 18 inches, and excess hatchery summer and winter steelhead to 14 pounds. Trout will be periodically planted through May. Kress provides an excellent trout fishing opportunity from late fall through late spring. A catch record card is not required to fish for and retain steelhead planted in Kress. The daily limit of trout is five, with no more than two over 20 inches. More than 100 channel catfish averaging 17-1/2 inches and weighing one to 1-1/2 pounds each were stocked in March of 1999. There is a largemouth bass population, and Kress also contains numerous bluegill and pumpkinseed sunfish. Boat access is available for cartop boats only; gasoline motors are not allowed. Lots of bank access. Disabled accessibility - level 1. DP, WCT, Blk Tpa, lgs, Blk Tp trails to WC areas to fish by lake.

Merrill Lake (344 acres): This fly-fishing-only lake is located north of Cougar near Mount St. Helens. Merrill contains coastal cutthroat, brown trout to several pounds, and some rainbow trout. Special bag and size limits are in effect; please check the regulations pamphlet. Internal combustion engines are prohibited on boats that are used for fishing. Merrill is open year-round, but action is usually slow during the winter months. There is a DNR campground and boat ramp.

Merwin (Lake) Reservoir (4,090 acres): Refer to Clark County, which holds the majority of this North Fork Lewis River impoundment.

Sacajawea Lake (48 acres): This lake within Longview's city limits is open all year, and provides an excellent fishery for largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, and other sunfish. Sacajawea is usually stocked in early spring with good numbers of catchable-size rainbow and brown trout, plus a few broodstock rainbows. Trout plants in January provide a late-winter fishery. Another rainbow plant commonly occurs for Free Fishing Weekend in June. Good bank access is available throughout the city park. Electric motors may be used with permission from the Longview Parks Department; gasoline motors are not allowed. Disabled accessibility - Level 2. Fishing gazebos, lgs, dp.

Silver Lake (3,000 acres): Located between Castle Rock and Toutle, Silver Lake is open year-round. This is considered by some to be the best largemouth bass lake in western Washington. There is a 14-inch minimum size limit on bass. Silver also provides good-to-excellent fishing for yellow perch, bluegills, brown bullheads and crappies. Some pumpkinseed sunfish and warmouth are also taken. Grass carp planted in 1992 have reduced the aquatic vegetation. Anglers are reminded that regulations prohibit the taking of grass carp. Because of the reduction in aquatic weeds, rainbow trout are being planted again, with 10,000 catchable-size trout set for release this spring. A few trout are also available as a result of natural production in the tributaries. A WDFW boat access is available with a small dock, as are ramps and boat rentals at private resorts. Disabled accessibility at WDFW access area - Level 1. DP, WCT, some Blk Tpa, gs in parking lot, accessible fishing dock.

Toutle River (North and South Forks): The South Fork Toutle supports an excellent fishery for hatchery summer steelhead, plus limited, mostly catch-and-release fishing for winter steelhead (no hatchery winter-run steelhead are planted). Check the regulations pamphlet for fishing boundaries. Selective gear rules are in effect for the winter season. All wild steelhead must be released. The North Fork and main stem Toutle (from the mouth to the forks) also provide some fishing for hatchery summer steelhead, with wild steelhead release. Some fall salmon seasons are possible on the North Fork this year; please contact the Vancouver office for the latest on seasons and catch limits. All North Fork and South Fork Toutle tributaries are closed to fishing.

Yale Reservoir (3,802 acres): Please refer to Clark County, which holds the majority of this North Fork Lewis River impoundment.