Archives: Top Rivers

Fishing Summary Species: Salmon, Steelhead Season: Oct – Jan Techniques: Plugs Chehalis River Fishing Report: Fall Salmon, Steelhead, and Grays Harbor Flows The Chehalis River is one of the longest and largest river systems in Western Washington, flowing over 125 miles from the Willapa Hills and emptying into Grays Harbor at Aberdeen. It supports critical … Read more

Fishing Summary Species: Salmon, Steelhead Season: Year-round Techniques: Side drifting Cowlitz River Fishing Guide: Year-Round Salmon and Steelhead Hotspot The Cowlitz River is one of the largest and most productive tributaries of the Columbia River, renowned for offering year-round fishing opportunities for salmon and steelhead. Flowing through Southwest Washington, its consistent water temperature and regulated … Read more

Fishing Summary Species: Pink Salmon, Coho Season: Late Summer Techniques: Light spinners Dungeness River Fishing Guide: Pink Salmon, Coho, and Olympic Peninsula Flow The Dungeness River flows from the Olympic Mountains and empties into the Strait of Juan de Fuca near Sequim. It is a critical waterway for several salmon species, especially the returning Pink … Read more

Fishing Summary Species: Trout Season: Summer Techniques: Fly fishing Elwha River Restoration: Fishing Guide for Trout and Salmon The Elwha River, located near Port Angeles on the Olympic Peninsula, is internationally famous for the largest dam removal project in history. Following the removal of the Elwha Dam and Glines Canyon Dam, the river has been … Read more

Fishing Summary Species: Chinook, Coho, Steelhead Season: Sept – Jan Techniques: Twitching jigs Green River / Duwamish Waterway Fishing Report & Flow Guide The Green River, transitioning into the Duwamish Waterway as it nears Puget Sound, is one of Western Washington’s most important and heavily-fished rivers. Originating in the Cascade Mountains and flowing through King … Read more

Fishing Summary Species: Spring Chinook, Steelhead Season: Year-round Techniques: Back-trolling plugs Lewis River Fishing Guide: Spring Chinook, Steelhead, and Regulated Flows The Lewis River is a major tributary of the Columbia River in Southwest Washington, flowing from the Cascades to its confluence near Woodland. Controlled by a series of hydroelectric dams, the Lewis River system … Read more

Fishing Summary Species: Chum, Chinook Season: Oct – Dec Techniques: Twitching jigs Nisqually River Fishing Report: Chum, Chinook, and South Sound Flows The Nisqually River is a major South Puget Sound river originating high on the glaciers of Mount Rainier and flowing through protected and private lands before emptying into Nisqually Reach near Olympia. The … Read more

Fishing Summary Species: Chum, Steelhead Season: Nov – Jan Techniques: Jigs Nooksack River Fishing Guide: Chum Salmon, Steelhead, and Northwest Cascade Flows The Nooksack River is a stunning, glacier-fed waterway in Whatcom County that flows from Mount Baker and empties into Bellingham Bay. It is a critical North Sound river that supports important runs of … Read more

Fishing Summary Species: Pink Salmon, Coho Season: Aug – Oct Techniques: Flossing (Pinks) Puyallup River Fishing Guide: Salmon Runs and Flow Conditions The Puyallup River is a dynamic and productive waterway that flows through Pierce County, emptying into Commencement Bay in Tacoma. Fed by glaciers of Mount Rainier, its flow and turbidity can change quickly, … Read more

Fishing Summary Species: Giant Blueback, Steelhead Season: Nov – April Techniques: Swinging flies

Fishing Summary Species: Salmon, Steelhead Season: Sept – Dec Techniques: Twitching jigs Satsop River Fishing Guide: Fall Salmon, Winter Steelhead, and Chehalis Flows The Satsop River is a major tributary of the Chehalis River located in Grays Harbor County, on the Olympic Peninsula. Known for its distinct East and West Forks, the Satsop is a … Read more

Fishing Summary Species: Bull Trout, Pinks, Steelhead Season: Winter / Summer Techniques: Spey casting Skagit River Fishing Guide: Bull Trout, Pink Salmon, and North Cascades Flows The Skagit River is the largest river by discharge flowing into Puget Sound and is renowned for its wild, scenic beauty, originating deep within the North Cascade mountains. Historically … Read more

Fishing Summary Species: Chinook, Chum Season: Aug – Oct Techniques: Twitching Jigs Skokomish River Fishing Guide: Chinook, Chum, and Hood Canal Flows The Skokomish River is a major South Hood Canal river in Mason County, flowing through the Skokomish Valley and into Puget Sound. Managed heavily by the Skokomish Tribe, this river is renowned for … Read more

Fishing Summary Species: Summer Steelhead Season: June – Sept Techniques: Topwater flies Skykomish River Fishing Report: Summer Steelhead, Salmon, and Cascade Runs The Skykomish River, or “Sky” to locals, is a large, powerful, and scenic river originating in the Cascade Mountains and joining the Snoqualmie River to form the Snohomish River. It is one of … Read more

Fishing Summary Species: Coho, Pink Salmon Season: Aug – Nov Techniques: Trolling spinners Snohomish River Fishing Guide: Coho, Pink Salmon, and Estuary Flows The Snohomish River is one of the premier angling destinations in Puget Sound, formed by the confluence of the Skykomish and Snoqualmie rivers near Monroe and flowing into Possession Sound at Everett. … Read more

Fishing Summary Species: Steelhead, Trout, Pinks Season: June – Feb Techniques: Fly fishing Snoqualmie River Fishing Report: Steelhead, Pinks, and Valley Flows The Snoqualmie River is a scenic and historic river that originates from the Cascade foothills, most famously dropping over Snoqualmie Falls before flowing through the fertile Snoqualmie Valley. Below its confluence with the … Read more

Fishing Summary Species: Steelhead, Pinks Season: Summer Techniques: Light spinners Stillaguamish River Fishing Guide: Steelhead, Pink Salmon, and North Puget Sound Flows The Stillaguamish River, or “Stilly,” is a major North Puget Sound river formed by its North and South Forks, flowing through Snohomish and Skagit counties before entering Puget Sound near Stanwood. The river … Read more

Fishing Summary Species: Steelhead Season: Summer / Fall Techniques: Fly fishing White Salmon River Fishing Guide: Steelhead Recovery and Wild Flows The White Salmon River is a striking, spring-fed tributary of the Columbia River located near Underwood in Southwest Washington. Historically a dramatic, undammed river, its ecosystem was significantly altered but is now undergoing a … Read more

Fishing Summary Species: Winter Steelhead Season: Dec – March Techniques: Float fishing Wynoochee River Fishing Report: Steelhead and Salmon Runs The Wynoochee River is a pristine tributary of the Chehalis River located in Grays Harbor County on the Olympic Peninsula. Known for its steady flows regulated by the Wynoochee Dam, this river offers excellent opportunities … Read more

Fishing Summary Species: Rainbow Trout Season: Year-round Techniques: Fly fishing only Yakima River Fishing Guide: Trophy Rainbow Trout and Eastern Washington Flows The Yakima River is the longest river in Washington State and a premier destination for anglers, particularly those focused on its spectacular, self-sustaining Rainbow Trout fishery. Flowing through arid Eastern Washington, its water … Read more