Washington Fishing Report

Washington Fishing Report
Pro guide Bob Barthlow (509-697-7125) reports the Cowlitz has been putting out excellent catches of summer steelhead. Small drifted baits are taking near limits for most boat guides. It’s about time we got some good news from this river.

Jeff at JB's GUIDE SERVICE (509-547-7450) states the oversized sturgeon are still present although finding good bait for them below McNary has been challenging. The walleye action has been fair but there aren’t many big fish present.

The return of sockeye salmon to Lake Wenatchee is not strong enough to allow a summer recreational fishery in the lake. But WDF&W throws its anglers a bone by opening up the ocean sportfishery in the Cape Falcon to Marine area 4 (Neah Bay) will open up 7 days/week for salmon fishing. Neah Bay has attained almost half of their Chinook quota.

Sportfishing in Puget Sound is fair in the north with about a Chinook every 10 boats. Further south, some of the best checks are coming from Olson’s Resort where anglers are checking about a Chinook every 3 boats. The few anglers fishing out of Port Angeles tallied a Chinook/boat last weekend.

Tuna have been reported out of Westport but with cooler water temperatures, they are likely to head further out to sea.

Pat Long (509-751-0410)of Snake River Guide Service reports that the Snake River has warmed to about 72 deg. in the past week or so and with the warming the fishing is falling into the summer pattern-early and late are the prime times for all species. Clearwater steelhead fishing is so-so, the fish are stalling below the lower dams and not too many fresh fish are moving in on a daily basis.