Washington state is home to array of fish species of interest to the freshwater angler. Washington's vast systems of rivers and lakes experience large runs of migratory species throughout the year. These migratory fish augment sizable populations of fish species already resident in Washington's freshwater fisheries.
Species
Every year Washington's freshwater river and lake systems receive prodigious runs of all five species of Pacific salmon. Seaonally, chinook, coho, chum, sockeye and pink salmon all run into the states rivers and lakes. In addition, the famously hard-fighting sea-run rainbow trout or steelhead can be found in many Washington rivers, and in healthy numbers. Present year-round, and also in high numbers, are resident rainbow and cutthroat trout.
Where to Fish
For quality trout fishing, visit the Yakima River, a major tributary of the Columbia River. The Columbia is also Washington's most prolific salmon and steelhead fishery. The Columbia receives prodigious runs of chinook and coho salmon and steelhead.
The rivers of the Puget Sound area offer far greater species variety, if not the same concentration of numbers. The Nooksack River has runs of chinook, coho, pink and chum salmon. Sockeye salmon are not widespread but can be found in good numbers in the Baker River and Lake Washington.
When to Fish
Trout are present in the Yakima River year-round; however, fishing is often best mid-June to August. Chinook salmon enter the Columbia River in March and are still present in many of the river's tributaries until the end of October. Coho arrive in the Columbia system in August and are present until December. The Nooksack River has chinook in August and September, and coho from August through November. Pink salmon run in August and September, while chum are present November and December. Sockeye salmon run the Baker River in July and enter Lake Washington in the same month.
Tackle
For chinook salmon, spin rods should be powerful and capable of fishing 30- to 50-lb. breaking-strain line. Fly rods for the same species should be 9 feet in length for a 10- to 12-weight line. Coho, sockeye and chum salmon and steelhead require medium strength spin rods with 15- to 25-lb. breaking-strain line. A fly rod of 9 feet in length for an 8- to 10-weight line is sufficient for these species. For pink salmon, rainbow and cutthroat trout, spin rods should be light, and used in conjunction with 8- to 12-lb. breaking-strain line. Fly rods should be 9 feet for a 6-weight line.
Licenses and Regulations
A fishing license is required for all recreational fishermen over the age of 15. For fishing in freshwater, a freshwater fishing license can be purchased from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. An annual freshwater license for nonresidents costs $50 and $24 for residents. A catch record card is supplied and must be kept on your person while fishing. If you want to fish the Columbia, a further endorsement is required. Columbia River endorsements cost $8.75 for both residents and nonresidents.
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