Olympia, the capital of Washington, is one of the coastal cities situated along the Puget Sound. The Puget Sound is made up of numerous waterways that provide some of the best fishing in the region. The Sound is east of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, which connects to the Pacific Ocean, making it a hot spot from anadromous fish like salmon that travel from saltwater to freshwater to spawn. With Olympia's location at the southernmost point of the Sound, anglers have a whole matrix of waterways to choose from near Olympia.
Where to Fish
The lakes and rivers around Olympia turn out some of the most productive fishing in the area. One popular location is the Columbia River, which originates from the Pacific Ocean and is a straight shot down Interstate 5 from Olympia near Longview. North of the Columbia is the Cowlitz River, which flows east into Mayfield Lake. Riffe Lake is located just east of Mayfield Lake, while American Lake is to the northeast of Olympia by the Gray Army Airfield.
The Catch
The rivers near Olympia are mostly stocked with steelhead and salmon. Because salmon spawn during different parts of the year, only certain species are found at any given time. For example, chinook salmon spawn from August to October. Expect to find steelhead if fishing east of the Columbia in the Cowlitz River. The lakes produce more of a variety of fishing. American Lake houses yellow perch and kokanee salmon, while trout and tiger muskie are caught in Mayfield Lake. The neighboring Riffe Lake features salmon and bass.
Charters
The benefit of chartered fishing trips is having the knowledge and experience of fishing professionals who know the area, the fish and the rules. They also provide most, if not all, of the equipment that is needed. Brian's Fishing Company in Olympia offers drift fishing trips for salmon, steelhead and trout in the area. Washington West Fishing Adventures is another company that takes visitors and residents on chartered fishing trips in the Olympia area, specializing in salmon and steelhead around the Olympic Peninsula.
Licensing
Anglers over age 15 are required to purchase a Washington fishing license before fishing in any of Washington's waterways. As of 2010, residents could purchase an annual fishing license for a discounted fee of $48.20 for a combination saltwater and freshwater license. The cost for nonresidents was $91.40. Individual saltwater or freshwater licenses cost about half of the combination license, and one-day through five-day combination licenses are also offered.
Regulations
Daily limits are imposed on all species to protect the population of fish. A chartered guide should be well aware of these limits, but if you are planning on going out on your own, these limits are published in the Fishing in Washington pamphlet available on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) website. If fishing for steelhead or salmon, anglers of all ages must fill out a Catch Record Card to keep track of the number of fish caught each day. Cards must be filled out and returned to the WDFW before April 30 at the close of the season.
Member Comments