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 July and August, 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. Anglers after trophy fish 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 was broken here in 1999. Burbot (freshwater ling) offer excellent fishing opportunities from February through April, with set-line and jig fishing popular in the Manson/Wapato Point area. A limited smallmouth bass fishery exists in the lower lake. 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. Check also for variable trout size and catch limits.

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 eight 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. Year-round open season.

Entiat River: Hatchery rainbow trout are no longer planted, and steelhead fishing is closed because of ESA listing. Wild trout are available in the upper reaches and tributaries. Above Entiat Falls, the river is open from June 1 to October 31. Below Entiat Falls, the river is closed year-round except for a special winter whitefish season. Check the regulations pamphlet for special hook restrictions during the December 1 to March 31 whitefish-only season.

Fish Lake (513 acres): This well-stocked lake about 16 miles north of Leavenworth is a good producer throughout the year-round open season. 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 from the Leavenworth Hatchery rack to Leland Creek. The spring chinook fishery below Leavenworth Hatchery is tentatively scheduled to open this spring with a two-salmon daily limit. Returning salmon numbers are predicted to be high this year. Check local newspapers or the WDFW regional office in Ephrata for the latest information. Steelhead fishing is closed because of ESA listing. Waters within 400 feet downstream of the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery rack are closed. Night closure and non-bouyant lure restrictions will be in effect during any spring chinook fishery.

Lilly Lake (15 acres): This small lake eight miles south of Wenatchee has a fair carry-over of both rainbows and eastern brook trout. It is planted with hatchery rainbows 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: This river is now closed to fishing from Lake Wenatchee up to the falls below the Forest Service Road 6700 bridge at Riverside Campground.

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. Year-round open season.

Nason Creek: This stream is closed to fishing from the mouth up to Smith Brook. Above that, it is open from June 1 through October 31, with small wild rainbow and cutthroat trout common. Selective gear rules are in effect for all open areas, and steelhead fishing is closed.

Roses Lake (131 acres): This lake seven miles northwest of the town of Chelan provides a good winter fishery for rainbow trout in the 11- to 20-inch range planted in the fall. Largemouth bass, black crappie and channel catfish have also been planted. A slot limit is in effect for bass; check the regulations pamphlet for details. Brown trout fry were stocked in spring of 2000; depending on growth, catchable-size browns may be available in spring of 2001.The public access area has a boat launch. Open season is year-round.

Wapato Lake (186 acres): Located about eight 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). These sterile fish can grow to trophy size if not harvested. Yellow perch are also present. 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 for trout from August 1 to the October 31 closure, except internal combustion engines are allowed. Game fish other than trout may be kept during the August 1 to October 31 period.

Wenatchee Lake (2,445 acres): This natural lake 15 miles north of Leavenworth should produce small kokanee beginning in April. 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 to carefully release all bull trout (Dolly Varden) caught. Bull trout are a species of concern and thus their season is closed throughout most of the state. 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: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in 1997 designated steelhead runs in the upper Columbia River Basin as in danger of becoming extinct. WDFW is currently developing recovery plans. Because of ESA listings, the river is closed to all fishing from the mouth to Lake Wenatchee, except for a special winter whitefish-only season from December 1 through March 31. Check the regulations pamphlet for special hook restrictions during the winter whitefish season.

CLALLAM COUNTY

Aldwell Lake (240 acres): This Elwha River reservoir 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. Selective gear rules are in effect, except motors are allowed. Check the regulations pamphlet for special size/limit 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 six- to 10-inch cutthroat. Yellow perch and a few largemouth bass and crappie are also present. 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: Some public access east of the mouth of Deep Creek, at the East and West Twin Rivers, provides access to surf smelt spawning in Clallam Bay from May through September.

Elwha River: The river between Aldwell Lake and Lake Mills provides quality fishing for native rainbow trout, with selective gear rules in effect. There is a short fly-fishing only season on the lower river, plus other restrictions. 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. Coastal 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 eight-inch minimum on all trout, 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. Check the regulations pamphlet for open salmon season. 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 shellfish: Recreational shrimp and crab harvesting opportunities are present throughout the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Please consult the WDFW shellfish hotline at 360-796-3215, extension 324 for Puget Sound shrimp, extension 311 for Puget Sound crab, or the website http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/crabreg for specific seasons. For clam and oyster openings, check the shellfish hotline, extension 309, or the website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/beachreg, or the Fishing in Washington sportfishing rules pamphlet.

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, salmon and trout 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 eight 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): 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.. Fishing should be very good for planted rainbow trout, including a few broodstock (20-26 inches), and eastern brook trout. This year it has 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. 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 Amboy at (360) 247-3900 for current road access. Check with the Vancouver WDFW office for fishing information.

Columbia River: The Columbia offers both shore 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. From August 16 through September 15, 2001, the Columbia River downstream from Bonneville Dam is expected to be catch-and-release only for sturgeon to remain under the annual sturgeon guideline. Sturgeon catches will be monitored in-season, so check with the Vancouver WDFW office for the latest information. 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, sunfish and crappie are caught in the main river and connecting sloughs, with some walleye taken too.

Klineline Pond: Located just west of I-5 next to Salmon Creek, north of Hazel Dell, this popular pond is planted with rainbow trout, broodstock rainbows (20-26 inches), along with brown trout, cutthroat trout, and excess hatchery summer and winter steelhead. 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. Open season is year-round.

Lacamas Lake (315 acres): Located north of Camas, this lake produces stocked brown and rainbow trout. Fair-to-good action is also available for largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, brown bullheads, plus a few pumpkinseed sunfish and channel catfish. The access area is small and caution needs to be taken when launching boats. Resorts and public shoreline provide access for bank anglers. Year-round open season. 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. The projected spring salmon run size this year does not permit an unrestricted sport fishery. As a result, the daily limit is reduced to one fish for 2001. Chinook with either intact or clipped adipose fins may be retained. Late summer and fall months bring lots of interest in fall chinook, coho and steelhead. 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. To protect wild steelhead "jacks," the trout minimum size limit is 20 inches. Spring chinook returns should be slightly improved this year (2,800 fish expected). This projected spring salmon run size, however, does not permit an unrestricted sport fishery. As a result, the daily limit is reduced to one fish for 2001. Chinook with either intact or clipped adipose fins may be retained. The river between Johnson Creek and Colvin Creek is open to bank fishing only, and the river from Colvin Creek upstream to Merwin Dam is closed to all angling. The current outlook for fall chinook is also improved, and some fishing is possible. Returns of early and late hatchery coho should be good this year. 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. A new county boat ramp is available at Happa Crusher. 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 can be numerous and pesky. Tiger muskies were planted in 1995 to help control pikeminnow populations. 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 sea-run cutthroat trout and hatchery winter steelhead. All wild cutthroat and steelhead must be released. This stream is closed to steelhead fishing from June 1 through October 31. Good access is available near Salmon Creek (Klineline Pond) Park.

Vancouver Lake (2858 acres): This shallow lake on the northwest side of Vancouver averages only three feet in depth, with a lot of fluctuation. There is a WDFW boat ramp, but the Felida ramp near the north end of the lake has better boat launching facilities. Both black and white crappie, largemouth bass, channel catfish, yellow perch, common carp, sturgeon, salmon and steelhead are found here. Trout limit is two, with a 12-inch minimum size. The flushing channel and surrounding area are closed for part of the year; check the regulations pamphlet for details. Open season for the rest of the lake is year-round.

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: Open season is March 1 through October 31 on these small, bank-fishing-only lakes off the Tucannon River. All have public access, and are well-stocked with 10- to 12-inch rainbow trout, plus some "jumbo" 1-1/2 to two-pound trout in some of them. Fishing from any floating device is prohibited on all of these lakes. Big Four is fly-fishing only, with a two-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 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 "jumbos" in the 1-1/2 to two-pound range. Open season is year-round, but fishing is best in spring.

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: This Walla Walla River tributary is no longer stocked with catchable-size rainbow trout. Hatchery steelhead are planted downstream of the confluence of the North and South forks, however, and several thousand do not migrate to the ocean, so they are available to anglers as rainbow trout. 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 no longer occur here because of threatened species concerns. Hatchery steelhead are stocked downstream of the hatchery, at or below Marengo, however, and those fish that don't migrate to the ocean can be caught as rainbow trout. 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 for some outstanding rainbow trout fishing. 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, both coastal and west-slope (and hybrids) 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. From August 16 through September 15, 2001, the Columbia River downstream from Bonneville Dam is expected to be catch-and-release only for sturgeon to remain under the annual sturgeon guideline. Sturgeon catches will be monitored in-season, so check with the Vancouver WDFW office for the latest information. Yellow perch, various catfish species, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie and other sunfish are caught in the main river and connecting sloughs, with an occasional walleye showing up.

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 wild cutthroat and steelhead must be released. Also, all right-ventral clipped steelhead must be released in the lower Cowlitz (below the Barrier Dam); these fish will be used to provide natural production and enhance fishing opportunities in the upper river. With only 1,000 spring chinook expected to return this year, angling opportunity will be limited or non-existent. To help achieve the necessary hatchery escapement goal, the Cowlitz up to the Barrier Dam was closed to the retention of chinook from March 15, 2001 until further notice. In addition, the south bank closure from Mill Creek up to the Barrier Dam was extended to April 1 through June 15, 2001. Coho salmon abundance is expected to be good this year, and some fall fisheries are possible. Some sturgeon fishing takes place in the lower river. A limited smelt (eulachon) fishery will be available on the Cowlitz in 2001. The 2000 smelt return showed signs of improvement. For updated smelt information, call the WDFW office in Vancouver at (360) 696-6211 and press *1010. 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 chinook and strong coho salmon returns this year will likely 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 steelhead and salmon open seasons.

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 broodstock rainbows (20-26 inches). Excess adult hatchery steelhead and sea-run cutthroat are planted when available. 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, 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 is 20 inches. An estimated 1,000 spring chinook are expected to return to the Kalama this year, providing some limited fishing opportunity. Fall 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. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout, rainbow broodstock (20 to 26 inches), brown trout, cutthroat trout, excess hatchery summer and winter steelhead, and channel catfish. This year it has 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. 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. 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. Kress is open year-round. 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 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 broodstock rainbows. Trout are planted in January, March and April. Grass carp have been planted; note that it is illegal to fish for or retain grass carp. Good bank access is available throughout the city park. Gasoline motors are not allowed. Year-round open fishing season. 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 fishing for or retaining 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 April. 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.