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 levels are tightly controlled by an extensive system of dams and irrigation withdrawals. Monitoring the latest Washington river flow data is essential for wade-fishing, as irrigation needs can cause significant, immediate changes in water depth and velocity.

River History and Management

The Yakima River basin is historically and currently the center of a massive irrigation and water storage project. A series of dams, including Keechelus, Kachess, Cle Elum, and Tieton, were built primarily to manage water for the region’s agricultural industry. The resulting stable, cold-water releases from the deep reservoirs below Cle Elum Dam have created a globally recognized “blue-ribbon” trout fishery downstream near Ellensburg and Cle Elum.

While the upper river and tributaries still see native Summer Chinook Salmon and Steelhead returns, the primary recreational focus is the year-round catch-and-release fly fishing for trout in the lower sections.

Location and Access

The best and most popular section of the Yakima River flows through the canyon below the town of Cle Elum, stretching past Ellensburg. This middle section is categorized as **”fly fishing only”** for much of the year and offers phenomenal access. Numerous state-managed recreation areas, walk-in access points, and dedicated raft launches allow anglers to cover miles of holding water. The unique landscape of rolling shrub-steppe hills distinguishes the Yakima from its western counterparts.

Primary Species and Seasonal Runs (Focus on Trout)

The Yakima River is celebrated for its incredible abundance and size of Rainbow Trout, which thrive in its nutrient-rich, managed flows. Trout fishing is managed exclusively as catch-and-release, often with highly restrictive gear rules to preserve the quality of the fishery.

Fish Run Timing:

• Rainbow Trout (Year-Round): The season is open year-round for trout. The fishery is broken into:
  • **Winter/Early Spring (Feb-Apr):** Pre-runoff fishing is excellent, often focusing on subsurface nymphing tactics.
  • **Spring/Summer (May-July):** Peak hatches occur, offering explosive dry fly fishing as flows stabilize.
  • **Fall (Sept-Nov):** Arguably the best season, with major hatches and aggressive feeding before winter.
• Summer Chinook Salmon: Recovering wild runs are present but are a high conservation priority. Angling for salmon is almost always closed or catch-and-release only.
• Steelhead: Wild Summer Steelhead are present in the lower river but are critically low in number. The entire run is protected, and the season for them is closed or managed as catch-and-release under extreme restrictions.

Regulations and Conservation

The Yakima River is subject to strict regulations to protect its wild trout and recovering anadromous stocks. The primary regulations include mandated catch-and-release for trout, single-point, barbless hooks, and specific “fly-fishing only” sections. Compliance is strictly enforced by WDFW Fish and Wildlife Police.

Anglers must pay close attention to the WDFW Sport Fishing pamphlet for the precise sections and dates regarding the fly-fishing-only rules. For the most current rules, seasons, and any emergency closures, always check the official resources from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

WDFW Fishing Rules: Consult the latest WDFW Fishing Regulations.