Destination

Places like Florida, Texas, and Baja California are all celebrated for their tasty white fish like grouper, red snapper, and white seabass. While here in the Northwest, the fatty red or pink meat from a chinook or coho salmon is often what comes to mind when we think of seafood associated with our coastal and inland waters. The truth is, we also have all the necessary resources to make a mean fish taco. That is, the Pacific Northwest bottomfish. 

Don’t let the name “bottom fish” give you the wrong idea about where they might fall on the Hierarchy of seafood delicacies. The bottom fish mentioned in this article make for excellent table fare and can be utilized for a simple fish fry, tacos, or can be combined with some of our abundant shellfish for a seafood stew like a Cioppino. 

Our bottom fish range from large, dragon-like predatory fish like the Lingcod, to the massive halibut, which can get well over 200 lbs. In some cases, you can catch these fish from shore, but most often a boat of some sort will be necessary for success in these fisheries. 

Lingcod 

Straights of Juan de Fuca 

Marine areas 6, 5, and 4 along the Straits of Juan de Fuca all provide great opportunities for lingcod. In MA 5, you can launch a boat at Clallam Bay from the town of Sekiu at Mason’s Resort boat launch. From there, you can head west towards Kydaka Point, where ample amounts of rocky underwater structures and reefs hold healthy numbers of lingcod. Soft plastics work well here, but if you're aiming to land a giant, try hooking up a small greenling as bait and sending it down to the bottom.  

Puget sound 

Conservation efforts make the Puget Sound a much more restrictive area to target lingcod. The 2026 season runs from May 1st through June 15th and allows the retention of 1 fish per day. Size restrictions are in place as well, and you can only keep lingcod that are between 26 to 36 inches.  Possession Bar, Tavola Shore, and Alkai Reef all hold lingcod. 

Cabezon 

The cabezón. Loosely translated to “large head”, is aptly named for this exact reason. Cabezons, when larger, have giant heads and are built like a tank. When hooked, they will take off with your line and head-shake like a large lingcod. They’re a blast to catch and can be found all over the Straits of Juan de Fuca and the Washington coast. My favorite spot to fish for these is near Hobuck Beach in Neah Bay. This spot can be accessed via shore if you are using a kayak, otherwise you will have to launch your boat from the Big Salmon resort in Neah Bay. 

Rockfish 

Westport

Rockfish are abundant all throughout the Straits of Juan De Fuca and the Washington coast. With that said, if you’re looking for easy access, Westport provides a unique opportunity to catch these fish off of their one-mile-long jetty at Westhaven State Park. If climbing the rocks isn’t your thing, you can also hop on board one of the many charter boats that take off from the Westport marina to target salmon and bottom fish.   

Halibut 

Pillar Point

Pillar Point is about 15 miles east of Sekiu and has a small boat launch that is favored more by kayakers than those with larger vessels. For those looking for a larger boat launch, this area can be accessed by launching out of Sekiu and motoring east. A long sloping underwater ridge provides prime habitat for halibut, and it’s not uncommon to see 80+ lb halibut pulled out of this area. 

Greenling 

Neah Bay 

The old Snow Creek resort on the northern part of the Straits of Juan de Fuca, just outside of Neah Bay, holds healthy populations of Kelp Greenling. Though these fish are often thrown back by anglers targeting lingcod or rockfish, they are incredibly tasty and can be found in the kelp beds only a few hundred yards offshore. This area is open year-round for kelp greenling so long as you stay east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line.  

Flounder 

North Hood Canal 

The flounder fishery is often overshadowed by some of the larger game fish species in the Puget Sound, yet these fish offer a fun year-round fishery that can be a great way for kids to get excited about fishing while at the same time making for excellent table fare.  Flounder are found all throughout the Puget Sound and Hood Canal on sandy or muddy bottoms and are quite easy to catch using artificial sandworms, clams, or chunks of flounder meat. Dabob Bay, just south of Quilcene, is the only part of the Hood Canal that is open to flounder fishing. The bay can be accessed via the Quilcene Bay boat launch to the north or Tritan Cove boat ramp to the south.

South Puget Sound 

If fishing the Puget Sound, you can find flounder in large numbers in MA 9 at Jeff head or fishing from the shore at Point no Point in Hansville. Further south in the South Puget Sound, good flounder fishing can be had at Dash Point in King County, where a fishing pier and easy kayak is launching from the beach. Going further down towards Olympia, you can find flounder from Dana Passage to Boston Harbor. Always check the Department of Health’s website for current information on flounder consumption safety guidelines. 

With many bottom fish seasons opening this spring, and the year-round opportunities that these fish provide us with, there’s never a wrong time to get out there, get your cooler filled, and enjoy another one of our great fisheries here in the Northwest. 

The new year is here, and it's trade show season again! Trade shows offer a rich experience to both beginners and experienced anglers alike. Brush up on your knowledge and take in a free seminar from an expert guide! Get your hands on some discounted gear from hundreds of different vendors! Set up a guided fishing or hunting trip with a legendary outfitter! There's something for everyone. Who knows, you may get to meet your favorite fishing celebrity! 

Take a look at this list of trade shows in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, and jot down the dates. I highly recommend planning out your day in advance. Leave plenty of time for exploring all the vendors and activities. Trade shows tend to be very family-friendly and offer a variety of free fishing and non-fishing related activities for all ages, so don't hesitate to bring your kids. Hope to see you all there!

Steelhead Expo
January 9th-11th at the Hells Canyon Hotel in Lewiston, ID
Sitting at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers, Lewiston is renowned for its steelhead fishing. This show is unique because it also features a steelhead fishing derby! You can buy a combined derby/show ticket. The show also offers seminars, hundreds of fishing gear vendors, and family-friendly activities. 
 

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Tri-Cities Sportsmen Show
January 23-25 at the HAPO Center in Pasco, WA
This show is very family-friendly and offers a huge list of activities to keep your loved ones entertained, even if they aren't interested in fishing. There are climbing walls, an air rifle range, and even a mechanical bull. Door prizes are announced every hour. There are fishing and hunting seminars, boats and motors for sale, and more.
 

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Washington Sportsmen's Show
January 28th- February 1st at the Washington State Fair Events Center in Puyallup, WA
Don't miss out on this one if you're in the area- it's Washington's largest trade show. There's a Heads and Horns competition if you've got a special trophy to bring in. Bring the kids to the trout pond while you're there! There are over 70 seminars with experts in the industry as well.
 

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Seattle Boat Show
January 31st- February 8th at Lumen Field Event Center in Seattle, WA
This boat show promises over 800 boats on display, 150 free seminars, and almost 300 vendors. This is the place to go if you're looking for a deal on anything from a kayak to a yacht. Each day of the show, there are different events, so be sure to check out the calendar before going.
 

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Pacific Northwest Sportsmen's Show
February 12th-16th at the Portland Expo Center in Portland, OR
This is the Pacific Northwest's biggest trade show. You can find deals on camping supplies, boats, tackle, RV's, and apparel. Many vendors and guides offer special trade show deals. Get here early and leave yourself plenty of time to explore! 
 

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Fly Fishing Show
February 14th and 15th at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, WA
In contrast with most of the other shows on this list, this one is more focused on fly fishing. Don't let that scare you off though, beginners are welcomed, and there is even free fly fishing instruction on both days. Try out a new rod at the casting pond and sit in on a seminar from an expert. Celebrities and authors as well as exhibitors from the industry will be there.
 

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Big Horn Outdoor Adventure Show
March 19th-22nd at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center in Spokane, WA
This show truly has something for everyone. There are seminars on fishing, hunting, survival skills, outdoor cooking, and conservation. There is a different event every day, from Veterans' Day to Family Day. The show has live music, good food, and a 21+ beer garden. It's a great way to spend a day!
 

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Montana Outdoor Expo
March 27th-29th at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds in Helena, MT
This Montana-based show offers RVs, hunting/fishing gear, boats, and more. Get your hands on the latest gear and talk to experts about your next adventure. There are special raffles throughout the show with the chance of winning some big prizes.

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I grew up fishing off docks at Lake Sammamish in Western Washington for everything from bass to bluegills to perch to trout, pumpkinseed sunfish, and more. Little did I know that much later in life, I would be fishing off a dock again for multiple species of fish, but this time, for a potential monetary payout!

MarDon Resort is a multi-generational family-owned resort located on the south shore of Potholes Reservoir in Eastern Washington. For years, they have been putting on an annual dock tournament the second weekend of September. This is a popular event, with anywhere from 125 to 160 participants, many of them coming back every year.

The tournament is very affordable ($60 per entrant in 2025), and there is an 80-percent payout to the winning anglers. It is a vastly different tournament than most. Instead of catching a limit of five or six fish and weighing in the bass or walleye, you are fishing for the two biggest fish of eleven distinct species of fish.  

The species you can catch off the dock are numerous. There are categories for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, rainbow trout, perch, crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, carp, channel catfish, and yellow bullhead. This year, the first-place fish in each category netted the winner $375, and the second-place fish was worth $125.

The groups participating in this event are very diverse. There are families and extended families, couples, fishing buddies, senior citizens, women, and children all fishing off the dock day and night, and all trying to get a big fish.

The tournament kicks off with a potluck on Friday at 5 PM. MarDon Resort provides fried chicken tenders, water, and cookies while participants bring side dishes and more for a nice dinner. At 6 PM, anglers hit the docks and you fish as much or as little as you want from Friday night until 10 AM on Sunday.

There is a weigh-in station at the marina staffed 24 hours a day, this year by Russ and Kim Anderson, who took turns sleeping during the night. Some of the winning fish were caught right off the bat! Georgia Goss was using a crappie jig when she hooked into a monster walleye at sunset on Friday. The 5.56-pound fish netted her first place by a long shot. The only other walleye caught was by her niece, Madison Shopbaugh, and that was only six inches long but still worth $125. It was nice to see kids reel in winning fish!

On Saturday morning, 12-year-old Levi Garza caught a gigantic channel catfish that weighed 25.4 pounds, easily beating out a 16-pound catfish that took second place.  And then there was Jaxon Pech. I met him last year when he reeled in two huge carp, earning him a $500+ paycheck. Jaxon, who is 13 years old, takes this tournament seriously. He lives in nearby Moses Lake, and he told me he fished twenty-nine times off the dock this summer, preparing for the tournament. Jaxon was fishing a sizeable pile of bait off the bottom, hoping to catch carp again. However, when his rod bent with a fish, he found out after a frantic 10-minute fight that he had caught not a carp, but instead, a 4.8-pound rainbow trout. Since Jaxon caught the only trout of the tournament, he got $500 for that fish!

Over the course of the event, the lead would change multiple times for different kinds of fish. For example, I was briefly in second place with a ½-pound bluegill on Saturday morning but was bumped within an hour by a bigger fish. At the end, both of the winning bluegill weighed in at over a pound. The final second-place winner was caught on Sunday morning.

At 10 AM, the event ends, and the whiteboard with the final results is brought up to a grassy area above the boat ramp and docks. Co-owners Levi and Annie Meseberg prepare checks for the winners as well as raffle prizes. Raffle tickets are sold for a dollar each, and at 11 AM, all sorts of raffle prizes are given away. The event wraps up with awards and checks being given out to the winners.

Talking to anglers during the event, I learned that everyone hoped to come back again next year. The mood on the docks is light, anglers are willing to share space, and everybody catches a whole bunch of fish over the weekend. Put it all together, and this unique dock tournament is chock full of fun!

I’m sure a few of you reading this are football fans like me. Seattle seems to have had a generally successful run since about the 2010s, with obvious jubilation in 2013, followed by tear-jerking (or, in my case glasses glasses-throwing across the room and breaking them) despair in 2014. To those Millennials and older, or perhaps some Gen Z and below anglers who are dialed into their football history, the Monsters of the Midway elicit memories of imposing dominance. The 1985 Bears. Coach Ditka. Mike Singletary. Richard Dent. Refrigerator Perry. Icons in the football world. I couldn’t help but call back to that imposing connection on our latest fishing adventure on the Madison River in the Madison River Valley of Montana. 

We connected again with our good friends Ed and Jeanne Williams of the Rainbow Valley Lodge in Ennis. Of course, we talked about fishing, but also some updates on life: their trip to Disneyland with their grandkids, the most recent trip to Argentina, among other things. Down-to-earth hosts who enjoy seeing their guests enjoy themselves. 

The plan had been to fish the Jefferson River, to the north of Ennis, and explore the Jefferson River Canyon. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate, and the river wouldn’t make for a productive fishing day. Having had as much success as we did on our last episode on the Madison, a quick audible was in order. Fishing again with Hunter and Sam, outfitting out of the lodge, we knew we’d get into some beautiful country and big fish.

The first day was wet. Very wet. Like, I’m glad we have our rain gear, and no wonder there wasn’t anybody else on the water kind of wet. It made me appreciate the professionalism and love for guiding the river I saw from both of our guides for the trip. Both Hunter and Sam are what I would describe as “good dudes”. Easy to talk with, personable, and genuine. That, paired with their knowledge, patience, and excitement for the water, made them the guides I’d absolutely recommend if you head to Ennis to fish in a beautiful part of the country. 

The fishing produced some great memories and tons of fish. My buddies Ty and Alex were in the second boat helping with filming, and between both boats, nearly 40 fish were caught that first day. Nonstop action with each angler trying to outcatch the other. Our guides instigated the goading as we came together - “Add three more to the scoreboard”, “Well, we got a 19’er, how small were your fish?” The solid number of fish was one thing. Getting bit non-stop is always fun. 

Again, nearly double-digit fish were caught by every angler. But the size of these fish is what was most impressive. Routinely, we were pulling in fish in the high teens. Browns, rainbows, and whitefish all with shoulders on them the size of linebackers. While the one legendary fish didn’t come, I was never disappointed when I hooked up. Every fish was seemingly in the respectable 13-15-inch range, with some bigger chunkier fish encroaching on the 20-inch size. And the fight? World-class. It was like being in a phone booth with a big offensive lineman. At times, the fish would seemingly be pulling the boat with it as it swam, dove, and jumped during our battles. 

Ironically, one of the more memorable fish was a small one that I didn’t even land. Like a quarterback scanning the defense, I did my best to set myself up for a positive play. 15 feet out from the bank, approaching some tree roots, I had an excellent line on the fish. 

The hook set was decisive. But this fish was tenacious. Immediately jumping out of the water like you’d hope from a classic rainbow trout battle. It must’ve jumped at least half a dozen times. It ran at me, seemingly knowing the weak spot in my offensive attack. On its final jump, it spat out the hook and swam back to safety, having bested me. All I could do was smile and chalk it up to a well-executed play by my opponent. 

The second day was a completely different experience. Like going from a dome in Dallas to the frozen tundra in Green Bay, it was sunny, comfortable, and a day where you’d be just as happy doing yard work outside as you’d be fishing. Well, maybe not quite as happy as fishing, but you get the idea. My coach, Hunter, wanted to change strategies and get into some technical fly fishing. He tied on some streamers for us, and away we went. Varying my retrieval, we hoped to get into the larger fish you’d expect from using streamers compared to nymphs. Within my first three or four casts, I hooked into a solid fish. Unfortunately, the battle was short-lived, and I never saw it surface. But I think it had the potential to be that 20+ inch fish that had eluded us. 

Not to be outdone, we kept floating down the river. A multi-play, methodical drive marching down the field, catching the same solid-sized fish as the day before. Towards the end of our float, we reached a slower pool of water that Hunter said had historically held some big fish. A guide’s knowledge and experience came to my benefit. 

Like my first missed fish, within only a few casts in this new water, I hooked the fish and was locked into a one-on-one battle.  Some pulling, some steering, and some muscle later, we landed what was close to a 20-inch fish. Impressive enough in size and more than formidable as an opponent, it led me to reflect on the past few days of fishing and the fables that come with it. Monsters of the Madison indeed!

"Look at all those fish marks - kokanee for sure - darn things aren't biting though!"

It was a tough weekend of fishing for my wife JoAnn and I - lots of fish marks, but just a couple bites. Such is kokanee fishing. Kokanee anglers know this and accept our lot in life - some days can be lights out, other days you're scratching your head in frustration.

Kokanee anglers are always looking for the next great kokanee fishery and are eagerly searching the internet for fisheries that are exploding or unknown. To that list we humbly add Billy Clapp Reservoir. This reservoir and kokanee have an interesting history and offer a tantalizing possibility of another kokanee destination to add to Washington's list of quality kokanee fisheries.

I first became aware of Billy Clapp kokanee reading old reports from Dave Graybill, The Fishing Magician, a Central Washington expert on all things fishing. He talked about (and filmed) big, 18" kokanee coming out of Billy Clapp Lake. I scoured the internet and found tantalizing glimpses and reports of big kokanee caught over the years. Intrigued, I dig deeper, trying to puzzle out the mystery that is Billy Clapp kokanee.

My research revealed a few interesting factoids. First, up until recently (more on that in a bit) Billy Clapp Lake has never been stocked with kokanee. So how is it that it holds kokanee? For the answer to that, we have to talk about Banks Lake, just north of Billy Clapp.

Banks Lake has a long history of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife efforts to create a thriving kokanee fishery, but due to white fish and walleye predication the kokanee fishery has never been able to get firmly established. Oh, there's been some scattered reports of 14-18" kokanee being caught, but overall reports indicate small fish and little angler effort, save some locals that "may" have the fishery dialed in. Certainly, Banks is not considered a destination kokanee fishery. Add to that my recent conversation with WDFW biologist Mike Schmuk who informed me that the long term plan was to end the Banks Lake kokanee planting program. Mind you, WDFW has been planting 400-500,000 kokanee fry per year into Banks, so it's a big deal that WDFW has decided to close the chapter on kokanee in Banks Lake.

At this point you're probably asking what in the heck Banks lake kokanee have to do with Billy Clapp kokanee? Well, Banks Lake and Billy Clapp are connected by a long, large irrigation pipe which fills Billy Clapp Lake. This is all part of an amazing vision by one Billy Clapp, lawyer, who in the early 1930s with fellow community members of the town of Ephrata came up with the proposal of damming the Columbia River to supply irrigation water. Namely, their vision led to the creation of the Grand Coulee Dam. We can thank Billy Clapp for an irrigation and electricity producing system that has fed millions of people since its construction. Say what you will about the loss of free-flowing water for salmon reproduction, you have to concede that the Columbia Basin has been an amazing engineering accomplishment that has benefited and fed generations of people since its construction.

The underwater pipe that flows water from Banks reservoir into Billy Clapp reservoir also delivered thousands of kokanee into Billy Clapp. Those kokanee thrived in a nutrient rich environment and produced (for those in the know) some amazing kokanee fishing. But for most anglers Billy Clapp was an enigma, a tale, a destination less traveled and a place of legendary but seldom fished kokanee lore.

Fast forward to 2021. I spoke with WDFW biologist Mike Smuck regarding my interest in Banks Lake kokanee. During our conversation he mentioned several interesting things to me. First, after an involved study WDFD had concluded that further planting of kokanee in Banks Lake was futile. The plan is to stop kokanee plants after 2020, and to focus on planting Banks Lake for rainbow trout. Then Mike dropped a bombshell on me. He reported that rather than me fishing Banks Lake for kokanee I should consider Billy Clapp Reservoir. The reason being, as fish biologist for that region, Mike had the discretion to plant excess kokanee wherever he thought appropriate, and he chose Billy Clapp Reservoir. He revealed that in 2018 285,000 kokanee fry were planted in Billy Clapp, and in the next two years over 100,000 additional fry were planted. That’s a lot of kokanee fry planted in Billy Clapp Lake!

With that information in mind, my wife JoAnn and I decided to give Billy Clapp a try in mid-April of this year. We fished hard for two days and came up with no kokanee. Despite the poor fishing, I was heartened by a couple things. First, the water temp was cold - 46 to 48 degrees. What this told me was we were a tad early in our quest. Second and just as important, we marked a lot of kokanee, especially at the north end of the lake by the power lines. This told me the fish were there, and we were early.

For kokanee anglers willing to take a chance and spend a few days exploring Billy Clapp Reservoir, I think the potential payoff could be substantial. The lake has a history of producing large kokanee, that is well documented. And with a recent heavy stocking program there may well be a couple years of outstanding kokanee production for anglers willing to give it a try. The wild card is what does the future hold for Billy Clapp Reservoir? Will WDFW continue to plant excess kokanee fry in Billy Clapp? Will they support this fishery? Or will they let it die, to become another Kokanee Destination Legend? Only time will tell. In the meanwhile, Billy Clapp could be a sleeper kokanee destination that may yield you your next 18-20" kokanee.

*Pictured - a beautiful rainbow trout caught on our trip. These beautiful trout are in there and make an amazing bonus catch to those elusive kokanee!

Of all the Pacific salmon species, pink salmon are the most common. 7.76 million pink salmon are expected to return to the Puget Sound this year; the third largest run on record! This is going to be a great year to teach newbies how to fish or learn a new fishery yourself. Pink salmon are snappy, eager biters, perfect for kids or new fishermen. They are named for the pink color of their meat. Speaking of their meat, they taste great grilled or smoked, especially when bled and iced right away. 

August is a great time of year to target pink salmon in both the ocean and rivers. They run close to the shore, enabling many bank fishermen the chance at getting a limit. Let's go over 5 Puget Sound saltwater locations and 5 freshwater locations to get you started. 

Lincoln Park

A favorite beach for Seattle locals! There is plenty of room to spread out on this large beach. It is a bit of a walk from the parking lot, but don't let that deter you. The fishing here is quite good! The fish run close to shore all the way up and down the beach. Bring your pink Buzz Bombs! 

Point No Point

Probably the steepest beach on the list, Point No Point is a beautiful spot to fish. It has an old lighthouse with an adjoining park. The main parking lot is closed down, but you can park at the nearby overflow parking lot and walk to the beach. Make sure to look at a tide chart before you go. The current tends to rip here, which can lead to tangled lines. 

Picnic Point

This is another beach that has good concentrations of pink salmon. Bring your waders and watch for schools swimming by.  This beach is popular with fly fishermen; make sure to leave them plenty of room to cast. If the fish aren't biting, Edmonds Pier and Mukilteo Beach are both nearby. 

Edmonds Pier 

Though you'll definitely have company, especially on weekends, this is a fantastic pier for catching all types of salmon. You'll want to have a plan for bringing your fish up on the dock, however. Most people bring a crab ring and haul their catch up that way. Since you're in an elevated spot, it's easier to see fins and tails that signal when the schools of salmon are coming.

Les Davis Pier

This is another saltwater pier that has gained popularity since Dash Point and Redondo Piers were both closed. There are lots of nearby amenities, including a small cafe near the entrance of the pier. Schools of fish swim by frequently during the peak of the season. You'll want to bring a crab ring here to bring your fish up to the dock. 

Puyallup River

Like many other fishermen, I learned how to catch pinks on this river! There is a ton of shore access, but it can be crowded, especially on weekends. Tread carefully when wading- it can be almost impossible to spot submerged boulders and trees in the murky water. Most people here drift pink corkies and yarn. Levee Road and River Road near the lower part of the river offer good bank access. Look for gravel bars and bends in the river. The Puyallup runs into the Carbon River, which also has great shore access, but typically opens later in the year. Look for parks and access points near Orting. 

Green River

This river has a surprising amount of bank access. Numerous parks and trails dot the river. You can find spots to drift fish, toss spinners, and twitch jigs. The river is called the Duwamish as it gets closer to the mouth. Start in the Duwamish early in the season and follow the fish as they move into the upper river. Most of the river is clear and shallow, so you'll be able to see the schools coming. If they aren't biting at one spot, move to another. 

Snohomish River

One of the most popular rivers for fishing pink salmon, there is plenty of shore access here. Thomas Eddy Park and Lord Hill Park have many trails you can walk to find your spot. Many anglers here drift Dick Nite spoons with good success. There are several other parks with good shore access on the lower river. 

Nisqually River

This beautiful South Sound river doesn't have much bank access, but it is projected to get an especially strong run of pinks this year. The Nisqually River Public Access has a trail and some rocks that you can fish off of. Bring a lot of extra gear; there are some nasty snags in the river. 

Skagit River

Most of the shore access here is at boat ramps and gravel bars. The folks at Holiday Sports in Burlington are always willing to share hot spots with anglers. Just about any gear will work on this river. There are shallow, fast runs that are perfect for drifting as well as slow, deep pockets for twitching jigs or throwing out a bobber. Versatile anglers will do well on this river. 

Tackle

For Puget Sound beaches, I'd recommend bringing at least an 8-foot rod; casting distance is important. Make sure it can sling about an ounce of lead. Pink Buzz Bombs are the standard lure. Toss it out to schools of fish and try different jigging speeds and patterns to see what works. Make sure not to dunk your reel in sand or saltwater, and always rinse it thoroughly when you come home. 

For rivers, you can use the same rod and reel you used for the beaches. Tie on a corky and yarn if you want to drift fish. About 4 to 6 feet of leader should do the trick. It takes some time to be able to feel the difference between the bottom and a fish bite. Bring a few different weights so you can adjust according to the speed of the current- you want to tick bottom every few seconds, not drag on it. Pink spinners and twitching jigs will also catch fish. 

Before heading out, always make sure to check the latest rules and regulations. Emergency closure can and does happen. Pinch your barbs in the Sound and rivers with barbless requirements. Make sure to bring a cooler with ice: pink salmon don't taste as good when they're left flopping on the bank.

Looking to hook into the trout of a lifetime? Then head to North Central Washington’s Rufus Woods Reservoir! This reservoir is actually part of the Columbia River impounded above Chief Joseph Dam and is mostly known for its world-class trophy triploid rainbow trout. It’s home to the current state record, and there is a good chance that the next state record triploid will be caught out of Rufus Woods as well.

James Cato of Selah with a 9.2-pound Rufus Rainbow. The photographer and guide was Jeff Witkowski of Darrell & Dad’s Family Guide Service

The reservoir stretches from Bridgeport to Grand Coulee and is 53 miles long. The two best launch sites on the reservoir are on the Army Corps of Engineers property just above the dam and across and up the lake at the Bridgeport State Park. For approximately two-thirds of its length, the reservoir runs east-west. The north shore past Bridgeport State Park is mostly Colville Indian Reservation land. 

The south side of the reservoir is a mix of public and private ownership. The Triploid Rainbow Trout fishery is completely dependent on a net pen operation located near the middle of the reservoir. The Colville tribe has an agreement with the operator to release approximately 2,500 fish per month into the system. These releases are unpredictably augmented at times due to accidents. The most recent excess release occurred during the heavy runoff in the spring of 2011, when heavy nitrogen buildup near the pens would have caused fish to die if confined, causing the owners to release a lot of fish. The high runoff also caused net pens to break apart, and an estimated 100,000 triploids escaped into Rufus Woods.

You can almost always get your two fish limit at Rufus by either slip sinker fishing Pautzke’s Fire Bait off the bottom or by fishing Pautzke’s Balls O’ Fire on a jig under a slip bobber. Sometimes it doesn’t matter what you do; if you hit the lake with bait, they’ll bite. Other times it can be more difficult. The devil is in the details. We will focus here on a few of those small details that will allow you to be more successful than most anglers when the bite is difficult.

So, what aspects of this fishery make bait fishing for these guys different than going to your local put-and-take pond to catch rainbows? The first is the environment. The second is a set of characteristics that make these fish different from diploid rainbows.
The environment of Rufus Woods has characteristics that position the fish differently than in most lakes. The first is variable flow, the second is temperature lag, and the third is fertility. Because Rufus Woods is dependent on what comes out of Grand Coulee Dam, its flow can vary from nothing to very fast. The effect on leader length and the weight necessary to hold bottom can vary greatly. Rufus Woods' water temps “lag” behind smaller bodies of water as it transitions through the seasons. Rainbow trout can tolerate water from 32 degrees to about 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with a preferred temperature range in the mid-fifties.

Rufus Woods has a well-deserved reputation for being a late fall/winter fishery. This is because it typically takes until November for its water temperature to drop below 60 degrees, which really gets the metabolism of a rainbow trout going fast. This, in turn, makes them easier to catch. Ironically, in the spring, when most anglers are eager to fish, Rufus Woods surface water temperature stays below 40°F, which makes the triploids relatively inactive and difficult to catch. This is because of the constant infusion of 32-degree snowmelt water entering the system from the Columbia’s upper watershed in Canada, as well as from the mountains of North Central Washington. The increased turbidity of the water also makes spring on Rufus a difficult time to fish. Keeping the ideal temperature range of the fish in mind can assist you in eliminating unproductive water and focusing your efforts where you are most likely to catch fish.

Fertility in Rufus Woods is greatest around the net pens because of the infusion of pellets that feed the fish and the waste that comes from the fish. Other areas of increased fertility are where agricultural runoff and other water sources enter the system. Also, keep in mind that when the general water temperature is below 40 and well out of the triploid's comfort range, they will seek areas where springs keep the temperature higher than the surrounding reservoir. The same thing occurs in late summer and early fall when the temperatures of the Reservoir water are above the Triploids' comfort range. Because of these factors combined with the specific characteristics of the Triploid Rainbow, you have to tailor your location and presentation in some specific ways to consistently catch these fish.

The specific characteristics of these fish that need to be considered when determining location and presentation are the shape and limitations of the fish and its conditioned feeding pattern. First, because these fish are not streamlined and have relatively worn fins, they will not swim as fast as non-net pen raised Diploid Rainbows. Slow your presentation down. Second, because they have been conditioned to eat hatchery pellets and they are slower, they tend not to take bigger baits. We have cleaned hundreds of these fish over the years. Rarely will you find a fish in them bigger than a perch fry or stickleback (.75 to 1.5”). Far and away, the most common stomach contents are hatchery pellets and snails. After that, midge larvae, along with vegetation of all kinds, are what you’ll typically find. The biggest (and weirdest) stomach content I’ve seen was a dough bait jar in a nine-pound trout.

Where to fish: The “no-brainer” location is of course, the net pens. Not very creative or original, but it can be very effective. Just remember that while it is ok to tie up to the support lines, it is not ok to tie up to the pens themselves. This is where the most readily available food source is present in the form of hatchery pellets to concentrate the fish. Remember, the fish are there to feed on pellets that escape the pens. Therefore, your best bet is to fish the bottom below the pens. This can be extraordinarily deep for rainbows. Most of the time, we are pounding away at water depths of 75 to 95 feet.

However, it is not necessary to run to the net pens to catch triploid trout by bait fishing. Use your eyes to locate the spots. Primarily, you are looking for concentrations of surfacing fish to find those locations. Secondly, look for water entering the system. Remember, the shallower the water that the fish are hanging out in, the spookier they will be. While a stealthy approach to the pens is completely unnecessary, some of these other shallower locations require a quiet approach or a significant stand-off distance. Since this is a 51-mile-long reservoir, there are plenty of potential hot spots for you to discover and make your own. It is unnecessary to crowd in with other anglers. There are fish concentrated in a variety of obvious and not-so-obvious locations. As an extra bonus, locating those spots can provide you with the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife as well as give you that satisfaction that comes from being a pioneer instead of a follower.

When it comes to bait, trying to “match the hatch” is futile. There are just too many pellets. Instead, you want to use something that attracts them with a smell that is similar to but distinct from the hatchery pellets. Use Pautzke’s Fire Bait in pinks and green. You will want to use enough bait to encase a single #6 hook completely. You only need to leave the hook exposed when the water temperatures drop below 40 degrees, making it difficult for the hook point to exit the bait into the fish. Fish a leader of two to eight pound test mono of at least four and a half feet in length. This will allow the Fire Bait to rise above the weed tips and be visible to the fish. Another effective bait combo is to use good old Pautzke’s Balls O’ Fire salmon eggs floated with a marshmallow.

You will need to lengthen the leader from there to compensate for the increased flow. If the flow is negligible, you can fish with the more common 3/8oz to 1/2oz slip sinker. You must increase the weight as the flow increases to find and hold bottom. I’d be prepared to go all the way to 3 or more ounces when the flow is heavy. Another subtle alteration of your presentation that can increase your bite rate when there is significant current is to add a small Mack’s Lure Smile Blade above your hook with a bead between the blade and hook knot. That slow wobble can provide just the right amount of vibration to appeal to the fish.

Another thing that we have found is that 90% of our bites occur within the first 5 or 10 minutes of a cast. If you haven’t gotten bit within 10 minutes of casting, I’d recommend that you retrieve your bait, check it, and recast.

If you are seeing significant surface activity and not many fish on the sonar, a reasonable alteration would be to change to a baited jig and slip bobber presentation. If you do this, I would recommend that you go small. Use jigs that vary from 1/8th oz to 1/32nd oz for best effect tipped with coon shrimp cured in orange or pink Fire Cure or a kernel or two of Fire Corn. I would recommend either Mack’s Lures Glow Getter Jigs or Worden Lures Maxi-Jigs. Again, when there is sufficient current to turn it, a Mack’s Lures Smile Blade above the jig can increase your effectiveness.

So, what the heck is a triploid trout? Well, it’s a trout that has had its chromosomes altered. This is accomplished by taking eyed eggs and treating them in either a warm water bath or a pressure bath. This causes one of the chromosomes to split, thereby creating a fish with three (triploid) rather than the normal two (diploid) chromosomes. The result is a sterile fish. This means that triploids do not go through a spawn cycle. Instead, they just continue to eat and grow. Think steer, not mule. In other words, a triploid is a sterile rainbow, not a sterile hybrid. Since they do not go through a spawn cycle and all the food that goes into them is turned into growth and waste with nothing diverted to reproduction, their size potential is much greater than a regular diploid rainbow. The state record rainbow of 29.6 pounds was a triploid that came out of Rufus Woods Reservoir. The world record rainbow of 43.6 pounds was a triploid that came out of Lake Diefenbaker in Saskatchewan. Average rainbows caught range from 2 to 6 pounds. Since they are raised in net pens before being released into the system, their fins (particularly the dorsal and tail fins) show wear. Because they are triploids and well fed, they have a much less streamlined shape than a diploid rainbow. This shape, resembling a football, adds to their fight as the girth of the fish in heavy currents makes them fun to catch on light gear.

Keeping the few above-mentioned principles in mind should help you become more consistently successful in bait fishing for Triploid Rainbows at Rufus Woods.

It was a windier day than we had hoped for, but the waves were not white-topped, and we had a 40-horse Merc and a trolling motor to fight the wind with. It was my first trip to Ochoco for the season, but my dad had been fishing it since March and knew right where we wanted to start. It didn't hurt that the wind was blowing us that way, too. 

We started at the top of the lake where the creeks come in, around the flooded willows. 

For my main rod, I had selected a rust-colored, sparsely tied mohair leech and was using a floating line with a 4X tippet. 

My young dog Pepper was with me for her first time fishing. She thought she was expected to work and was watching tweety birds while we unlimbered the fly rods. I tried to keep her from tangling in the expensive tackle. Once she got so excited, she jumped into the lake. After she realized this was just supposed to be a pleasure trip for her, she settled down and was just irritated for the rest of the day. 

A big trout took my fly on the first pass but was able to throw the hook after a brief battle. Dad was also using a rust-colored fly, and our friend Keith Gran, fly-fishing for the first time in his misspent life, was using a fly called the Autumn Splendor, which might have reminded Keith of someone he used to know because he kept whispering to it, saying her name. 

Whatever he was whispering to the Autumn Splendor was working because soon he hooked and landed a trout. And then caught another. 

For my part, I began catching bass. And dad, running the trolling motor and a 4-weight rod, began catching bass too, and a crappie. 

OCHOCO AT FULL POOL  

After three winters of better-than-average snowpack, a lot of central Oregon waters that were very low, even dry in some cases, are back and better than ever. Ochoco Reservoir has always been a bit of a local's secret. It is only six miles outside of Prineville, and when conditions are good, the trout grow fat, putting on an inch a month. Better yet, this reservoir has good wintering conditions, meaning that holdover trout are common, going 16 to 17 inches in late spring and early summer. 

With water in it, Ochoco Reservoir is three miles long. Because it is an irrigation reservoir, water levels can change over the year. Surface acreage at low pool can go as low as 120 acres, but filled to full pool by early spring this year, the reservoir is full at approximately 1,100 acres. 

At full pool, Ochoco averages 30 feet in depth with a maximum of 100 feet near the dam. A few lava outcroppings fortify the banks but because of up-and-down water levels, shorelines are composed of exposed silty bottom and muddy flats. Mill Creek and Ochoco Creek form channels in the reservoir. In the spring and summer, afternoon winds can be substantial.

When targeting rainbows with a fly rod, try trolling from a float tube, canoe, or a pontoon boat. Fish along the riprap near the dam or on the east end of the lake near the inlets. Use an intermediate sinking line and troll leech patterns like the Woolly Bugger, Lake Bugger and Mohair Leech or a soft hackle wet fly like the Carey Special.

Crappie are often in large schools and may hold at specific depths around sunken structures. The challenge lies in locating them and plumbing the precise depth where the school is holding.

Because of the abundance of water, the trout fishing is going to continue excellently through July. But this is a great time of year to target smallmouth. And there are some surprisingly heavy bass in the lake. If fly-fishing is the game, use "bass nymphs" which are generally on No. 4 hooks tied like Woolly Buggers but with a heavy bead and black or yellow or orange rubber legs. These can be presented on floating lines under indicators or cast tight against the rocks or other structures. Bass will often take the fly on the drop. And you might be surprised by a big rainbow. 

When fishing with spinning gear, use spinner baits and crankbaits, or curly-tail grubs. 

Ochoco Reservoir has been overlooked for the last ten years because it has been hard to fish. But those days are behind us. This Central Oregon fishery is running full pool, and the trout and bass fishing is full tilt. 

The list of saltwater salmon fishing options in early summer are far and wide, and in this column, I’ll break down the path to success around Puget Sound and off the Washington coast.

One important factor to keep in mind, when planning a fishing excursion is that the entire 2025-2026 season package won’t be officially adopted until sometime in early to mid-June. What tends to happen is that these early-season summer fisheries will require emergency opening approvals, so anglers should regularly check the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) website (https://wdfw.wa.gov/) for possible updates and changes.

Back in mid-April, the Pacific Fishery Management Council held meetings in San Jose, California, and the 2025-2026 tentative statewide salmon fishing seasons were adopted by the Council. The season recommendations set forth by WDFW are then moved forward for federal approval by NOAA Fisheries.

While we wait for the ink to officially dry on the approval process, let’s visualize the possibilities of where to go and wet a line in the upcoming weeks, as well as a few pro tips to improve your chances of hooking a fish.

Since no salmon fishing season mirrors another, anglers have learned to become more adaptable to the constant ebb and flow of change. First off, anglers should be mobile and willing to move from location to location to maximize their time on the water.

Don’t focus all your time on one specific area. By doing a little bit of homework and reading this column below, you’ll likely find more choices by going outside of the box. Second, since many seasons are driven by catch quotas/guidelines, it is wise to go sooner rather than later.

Next, build a communication network to stay informed about the latest fishing trends, including the WDFW website and blog posts. Many other social media platforms can be used to gather this kind of information. Attending fishing seminars is another good avenue to gain more knowledge.

Other tips include reading blogs and watching YouTube videos from fishing influencers, especially publications like this magazine, which provide a plethora of information.

Where to go in June

For the past several summers, Marine Area 10 (Seattle-Bremerton Area), mainly the northern portion, has been good for early coho and is open daily beginning June 1. The resident coho average 2 to 4 pounds, along with a few larger ones, and are fairly snappy. Their bright red-orange meat is excellent for the BBQ grill. This is due in part to the abundant schools of krill: small, microscopic, shrimp-like crustaceans found in Marine Area 10 during the summer.

Most will target coho in the shipping lanes off Jefferson Head to the Kingston-Apple Tree Point boundary line, and from the Edmonds oil dock to Richmond Beach. Other locations worth a try are Point Monroe off the north side of Bainbridge Island, West Point south of Shilshole Bay, Blake Island/Southworth area, and the entire eastern side of Bainbridge Island.

If you’re looking to catch an early summer hatchery Chinook, then Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island) is an option and open Wednesdays through Saturdays only from June 4 to 30. These hatchery kings average 8- to 15-pounds along with some topping exceeding the 25-pound mark.

WDFW will regularly monitor the Marine Area 11 fishery and could close sooner if the quota or other guidelines are attained. The Chinook catch quota for June is 1,423 (1,423 in 2024 and 2023, 580 in 2022, and 431 in 2021) with a total unmarked encounter of 818, and a total sublegal encounter of 1,601. The Chinook fishery is managed under two separate summer quotas, and a second window of opportunity happens in late July. Commencement Bay east of the Cliff House Restaurant/Sperry Ocean Dock boundary line is closed to salmon.

Those who fish for salmon regularly in Puget Sound marine areas – especially in the Tacoma region – know that dogfish can be an issue in the summer.

To avoid pesky schools of dogfish, anglers will jig or troll with downriggers and meat liners using plugs, spoons or a plastic hoochie squid. If you drop a whole or cut plug herring, make sure you’ve got plenty of extra leaders tied. The sharp teeth and abrasive sandpaper-like skin of a dogfish will fray leaders. Lesson learned, I’ve burned through more than a dozen in a matter of a couple of hours.

In Marine Area 11, look for Chinook lurking around the Clay Banks to Owen Beach at Point Defiance Park in Tacoma, the Slag Pile off the Tacoma Yacht Club, the “Flats” outside of Gig Harbor, Quartermaster Harbor, and Point Dalco on the southwest side of Vashon Island.

In the northern part of Marine Area 11, try Dolphin Point and Point Robinson on the northeast side of Vashon Island, south of the Southworth Ferry Landing, Colvos Passage, Dash Point, and Apple Tree Cove to Redondo Beach.

Keep in mind that the salmon fisheries mentioned above for Marine Area 10 and Marine Area 11 are only for June, and that additional salmon fishing opportunities will occur in both areas. Anglers should check the WDFW North of Falcon webpage for additional season information.

Another June option for hatchery Chinook is south of the Tacoma-Narrows Bridge in Marine Area 13 (South Puget Sound), which is open seven days per week. Look for fish are Gibson Point, the concrete dock off Fox Island’s east side, Hale Passage, Johnson Point and Point Fosdick.

The Tulalip Bubble Fishery (Marine Area 8-2) is open through Sept. 1 with fishing allowed from 12:01 a.m. Fridays to 11:59 a.m. on Mondays of each week, and closed June 21. Before going, anglers should check the WDFW website as intermittent closures may be needed to ensure the hatchery is meeting spawning escapement goals. Fishing is also open Sept. 6 to 21 and allowed Saturdays and Sundays of each week. The bubble fishery is open within the terminal boundary only – closed east of a line from Mission Point to Hermosa Point – and can be decent for summer Chinook in the 10- to 20-pound range, and is mainly a trolling or jigging show.

You can jig drop down a glow, chartreuse, pearl-white, green-nickel, blue-pearl or blue-gold pattern in three to six-ounce sizes depending on the current and wind. Remember, store-bought jigs have a treble hook, and they’re illegal for salmon in all marine areas. Only single-pointed barbless hooks and one fishing line with up to two hooks may be used.

Trolling is the popular method with downriggers and a flasher combined to plug, spoon, and/or a plastic hoochie squid. Before or at daybreak, the fish tend to be found from the surface down to 90 feet, and as the sun rises, they’ll go deeper up to around 100 to 175 feet.

Many anglers are making plans to visit the coastal ports where Chinook and hatchery coho fishing get underway in late June. The ocean salmon season includes a recreational Chinook quota of 53,750 (41,000 in 2024) and a hatchery-marked coho quota of 99,720 (79,800 in 2024).

Marine Area 1

(Ilwaco)

Is open seven days per week from June 25 through Sept. 30, all salmon, with a subarea guideline of 16,600 Chinook (12,510 in 2024) and a subarea quota of quota of 49,860 marked coho (39,900 in 2024). The daily limit is two salmon and one Chinook only. Columbia Control Zone closed.

Marine Area 2

(Westport-Ocean Shores)

Is open seven days per week from June 21 through June 28, with a subarea guideline of 22,270 Chinook (17,430 in 2024), and the daily limit is one salmon, release all coho. Open seven days per week beginning June 29 through Sept. 15, all salmon, with a subarea quota of 36,900 marked coho (29,530 in 2024). Beginning June 29, the daily limit is two salmon, and only one may be a Chinook.

Marine Area 3

(La Push)

Is open seven days per week from June 21 through July 3, with a subarea guideline of 2,280 Chinook (1,630 in 2024), and the daily limit is one salmon, release all coho. Open seven days per week beginning July 4 through Sept. 15, all salmon, with 2,590 marked coho subarea quota (2,070 in 2024). Beginning July 4, the daily limit is two salmon. No chum retention beginning Aug. 1.

Marine Area 4

(Neah Bay)

Is open seven days per week from June 21 through July 3, with a subarea guideline of 12,600 Chinook (9,430 in 2024), and the daily limit is one salmon, release all coho. Open seven days per week beginning July 4 through Sept. 15, all salmon, with a subarea quota of 10,370 marked coho (8,300 in 2024). Beginning July 4, the daily limit is two salmon. No chum retention beginning Aug. 1. Beginning Aug. 1, Chinook non-retention east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line during the managed ocean fishery.

WDFW fishery managers will monitor the number of salmon caught in season and may close areas earlier if quotas or guidelines are met. In-season management may be used to sustain season length and keep harvest within the overall Chinook and coho total allowable catch.

Piers open year-round for salmon in Puget Sound include the Edmonds Marina (usually a good place for early summer kings in June), Fox Island, Mukilteo Ferry Landing, Seacrest in West Seattle, Dash Point Dock, Point Defiance Park Boathouse, Les Davis, and Des Moines.

Note: The salmon daily catch limits, species and size restrictions, and other regulations vary for each marine area. Emergency closures or adjustments to marine area seasons are also possible. Anglers should check for details on the WDFW website or the 2025-2026 regulation pamphlet.

(Mark Yuasa is a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Communications Manager and a longtime local fishing and outdoor writer.)

Omak Lake, nestled within the picturesque landscape of Washington State, is a hidden gem for anglers seeking the thrill of catching Lahontan cutthroat trout. This expansive body of water is renowned for its crystal-clear waters and the bountiful presence of this unique trout species.

 The Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi) is native to the Lahontan Basin of Nevada, Eastern California, and Southern Oregon. These trout are well-adapted to the alkaline and saline conditions of the region, making Omak Lake an ideal habitat. Lahontan cutthroat trout are known for their striking appearance, characterized by vivid red and orange hues along their sides and beneath their jaws. They can grow to impressive sizes, with the Washington State record at 18.04 pounds and was caught out of Omak Lake.

Omak Lake is located on the Colville Confederated Tribes Reservation, and is 3,244 acres, nestled in a high desert of rolling sagebrush hills. The prime fishing season at Omak Lake runs from early spring to late autumn. During these months, the water temperatures are optimal for trout activity, and the fish are more likely to be found near the surface. The early mornings and late afternoons are particularly productive times for fishing, as the trout are more active in these cooler hours

Due to its large size and regulations by the tribe that protects the shallow shorelines in the northern part of the lake during the May spawning period, this is primarily a boat fishery. As the lake begins to thaw in March and warms up through May, the regulations change from a catch and keep to a catch and release fishery, which means using fly gear or single barbless hooks on lures and no bait. Just like the other popular Lahontan waters in Washington, the fish start cruising the shallows and shorelines looking for creeks and sources of cold water for spawning.

Fly rod toting anglers usually target these areas with the same standard flies for Lake Lenore, another Lahontan Cutthroat producing lake in Washington. A black or green whooly bugger in size 8 to 4, or very small bead head chironomids in sizes 14 to 18. A heavy 6-weight rod is best since fish can be measured in pounds over inches, but some anglers will use a 5-weight or even a 4-weight. Sinking lines and the ability to cast in an afternoon thermal breeze are a must. 

For those who prefer to use a spinning or casting rod, using lures such as spoons, spinners, and soft plastics can be highly effective. These lures mimic the movements of baitfish and can provoke aggressive strikes from predatory trout. Top producing lures to try are the Luhr-Jensen Krocodile spoon in the frog pattern and Dick Nites in silver and chartreuse. Another option is to troll the F4 Kwik Fish in a frog pattern. For both fly fishermen and gear trollers can do very well using a Smile Blade Fly by Macks Lure, which is a whooly bugger with a smile blade in front as a “go to” fly. For the gear guys, simply put a few split shots a foot or two above the fly and troll at slow speed. The fly anglers should use a slow-sinking tippet line and strip it in slowly.

Fishing for Lahontan cutthroat trout at Omak Lake is more than just a sport; it's an experience that connects anglers with nature. The serene beauty of the lake, surrounded by rolling hills and open skies, creates a tranquil setting for a day on the water. What makes this trip to Omak Lake unique is that you are fishing a part of history.

First, the region itself should be explored. It is rich in Native American culture. In fact, Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce, who gave the famous surrendering speech “I will fight no more forever” died on the Colville Reservation in 1904 and is buried at Nespelem. The Grand Coulee Dam is bringing back its laser night show during the summer months, and just seeing this dam is worth the nearby side trip. There are also several trails to hike and, of course, the Columbia River to fish if you want to add other places to cast a line.

Omak Lake received its first plantings of Lahontan Cutthroats in 1968, which is noted in a report “Colville Lakes Compendium, Limiting Factors, and Management Plan” published by John Arterburn in 2003. These fish were a cross of rainbow hybrids from Lake Heenan in California and Lahontan’s from Pyramid Lake in Nevada. The reason why these fish were put in the lake was due to its alkalinity. Back in 1953 a netting of the lake revealed only chum suckers lived there.

The lake was stocked with rainbows from 1950 to 1960, and in 1956, brook trout were planted. None of these fish survived, so in 1968, they tried the Lahontan’s which did well in the alkaline waters with successful fishing since 1975. A creel census that the tribes conducted from 1975 to 2001, over 26 years of data showed that the average fish caught weighed just under 2 ½ pounds, with most of the fish in the 19 to 20 inch range, but some fish were recorded over 30 inches, including that state record of 18 pounds.

You will need a fishing permit from the tribe. For non-tribal members, the cost is $10 for a single-day use permit, a three-day permit is $20, a seven-day is $30, and the yearly permit is $40. Also, get a copy of the current regulations as it will describe the closed waters, closed shorelines to all access, and also give launch sites that can be used by non-tribal members. There is some camping available, but again, contact the tribe for more information.

Before going to Omak, you should contact the Colville Confederated Tribes Fish and Wildlife Department for current regulations and also where to launch. The Mission Bay launch was recently closed, and other launches are mostly for small watercraft. A launch permit is also needed in addition to a fishing license. The south end of the lake’s shoreline is closed to non-tribal members, and the north end is closed to fishing. 

Colville Tribes Fish & Wildlife Department can be contacted at:

Front Desk (509) 634-2110

Main website: https://www.cct-fnw.com/