Washington Fishing Report

Updated for for the week of August 19th – August 25th, 2005
Washington Fishing Update

North Puget Sound Starting Tuesday (Aug. 16), anglers fishing in ocean waters off Neah Bay will be allowed to keep up to two chinook salmon per day toward their two-salmon daily limit, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced.

South Sound/Olympic Peninsula Fishing in South Puget Sound area 11 & 13 is still a bit spotty but not too bad for those of you that target the tides and the mornings and evenings this past week. Some nice Kings have hit the docks from the Slag Pile, Dalco and the Clay Banks at Pt Defiance I saw a couple of fish in that 25 to 30 pound range.

Southwest Washington: Pro Guide Erik Brigham (360.513.2331) reported that the Lewis River has some summer steelhead available and the Cowlitz has been fishing well. Fish have slowed down because of the lower water so fish should be available for another four weeks or so. Drifting with eggs seems to be the best way to go.

Pro Guide Pete Grace (888.688.4386) reported that fish are being caught between 45-50 pounds around Buoy 10 but only five or so fish per thirty boats are being caught. On the mouth of the Lewis catches have been spotty. He has seen a few people stuck either at the dock or being towed in and wants to remind everyone to prepare yourselves.

Eastern Washington: Pro Guide Pat Long of Snake River Guide Service (1-509-751-0410) brings us this report: Bass fishing on the Snake is holding up well and even improving to some degree. We are seeing higher numbers of nice fish (3 to 4 lbs.) in the catch and the bite is holding up later into the day. I don't recall a year when the bass fishing has come on this strong as early as it is this year but if this is any indication we should see some fantastic fishing as we move into the early fall period.