What the Washougal River offers anglers

The Washougal River is a 40-mile tributary of the Columbia that runs through southwestern Washington with three distinct seasons for different species. Winter and spring bring steelhead — both hatchery and wild fish — that hold in deeper pools and respond to drift fishing with roe or spinners. Fall delivers coho and chinook salmon moving upriver, though chinook numbers fluctuate year to year. Summer opens a different fishery: smallmouth bass in the lower river and cutthroat trout in the upper reaches, both willing to take topwater and soft plastics when water temperatures climb.

The river's character changes dramatically from mouth to source. The lower 15 miles near Camas are slower, warmer, and more productive for bass and summer steelhead. The middle section around Washougal proper holds the best winter steelhead water and occasional salmon. The upper river above the town becomes narrower, faster, and colder — better for cutthroat and spring steelhead. Access is straightforward: Highway 14 parallels the entire river, and public boat launches exist at Washougal and Camas, with numerous pullouts for bank fishing.

Key Takeaways

  • Winter steelhead run from November through March, with December and January typically the most productive months for both hatchery and wild fish.
  • Summer smallmouth fishing (June through September) works best in the lower river near Camas with topwater lures and soft plastics in early morning and evening.
  • Fall coho and chinook arrive in September and October, though chinook abundance varies annually and you should check current run forecasts before planning a trip.
  • The river is open year-round for catch-and-release fishing, but retention rules differ by species and season — verify current regulations before you fish.
  • Highway 14 provides consistent access, and the river rarely requires a boat; most productive water can be reached from pullouts and public access points.

Winter steelhead: December through March

The Washougal's winter steelhead run is the most reliable fishery on the river. Hatchery fish begin arriving in November, peak in December and January, and taper through February and March. Wild steelhead follow a similar timeline but in smaller numbers. The river rarely gets so cold that it becomes unfishable, and winter rains keep water levels in the driftable range most of the season.

Drift fishing with roe or sand shrimp is the standard approach. Fish the deeper pools and current breaks — the river's slower sections near Washougal town hold steelhead consistently. Spoons and spinners work when water clarity is good, but roe outproduces both when the river is slightly off-color. Most anglers fish from the bank, though a drift boat allows you to cover more water and reach pools inaccessible from shore. The lower river near Camas warms slightly and holds fish longer into spring than the upper sections.

Hatchery steelhead are legal to keep; wild steelhead must be released. The river's hatchery program is robust, so you will encounter both. Learn to identify them: hatchery fish have clipped adipose fins (the small fin between the dorsal and tail), while wild fish have intact adipose fins. If you are unsure, release the fish — the penalty for keeping a wild steelhead is steep.

Summer smallmouth bass in the lower river

From June through September, the lower Washougal becomes a smallmouth fishery. Water temperatures climb into the 60s and 70s, and bass move shallow to feed. The slower sections near Camas and the first few miles above town hold the densest populations. Fish are not large — most run 10 to 14 inches — but they are aggressive and willing to strike topwater lures in low light.

Early morning and evening produce the best results. Fish topwater poppers and walking baits at first light, then switch to soft plastics — 4-inch tubes and creature baits — as the sun climbs. Smallmouth in the Washougal respond well to natural colors: brown, green pumpkin, and watermelon. The river's current is gentle enough that you can fish from the bank effectively; cast parallel to the bank and work the lure slowly. A kayak or small boat lets you reach deeper holes and current breaks where larger fish hold during the day.

Smallmouth fishing is catch-and-release only on the Washougal, so bring a net and handle fish carefully. The population is healthy and growing, and the river's warm-water habitat is expanding as the climate shifts — expect this fishery to improve over the next decade.

Fall salmon: coho and occasional chinook

Coho salmon arrive in the Washougal in September and October, moving upriver in waves tied to rainfall and water temperature. They are aggressive and will strike spoons, spinners, and small plugs. Most coho run 8 to 12 pounds — strong fighters in a river this size. Chinook also enter the river in fall, but their numbers vary significantly year to year depending on ocean conditions and hatchery releases. In strong years, chinook fishing can be excellent; in weak years, you may see few fish.

Before planning a fall salmon trip, check the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's weekly run forecast. The forecast predicts coho and chinook abundance and helps you decide whether the trip is worth the drive. Coho are more predictable; if the forecast shows a decent run, you will find fish. Chinook forecasts are less reliable, but they give you a sense of whether conditions favor a trip.

Salmon fishing is most productive in the deeper pools and current breaks. The middle river around Washougal town is better than the lower sections for fall salmon. Drift fishing with roe works, but many anglers prefer spoons because they cover water faster and trigger strikes from aggressive fish. Retention rules vary by species and year — some years coho are open to harvest, other years they are catch-and-release only. Chinook are typically catch-and-release, but verify current regulations before you fish.

Spring steelhead and cutthroat in the upper river

The upper Washougal above the town becomes a different river: narrower, faster, colder, and better suited to spring steelhead and cutthroat trout. Spring steelhead arrive in March and April, moving through quickly on their way to spawning grounds. They are less abundant than winter fish but often larger and more aggressive. Drift fishing with roe or sand shrimp works, but the faster current means you need to fish heavier and adjust your presentation constantly.

Cutthroat trout inhabit the upper river year-round and are most active in spring and fall when water temperatures are moderate. They are small — most run 8 to 11 inches — but abundant and willing to strike small spinners, spoons, and soft plastics. Cutthroat are catch-and-release only, so bring a small net and handle them gently. The upper river is also less crowded than the lower sections, making it a good choice if you prefer solitude.

Access to the upper river is via Highway 14 pullouts and a few informal parking areas. The river is wadeable in most places, and you can cover productive water on foot. Spring runoff can make the river unfishable for a few weeks in April and May, so plan accordingly.

Regulations, access, and seasonal timing

The Washougal is open year-round for catch-and-release fishing, but retention rules change by species and season. Hatchery steelhead are legal to keep in winter; wild steelhead must always be released. Coho and chinook retention varies by year — check the current Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations before you fish. Cutthroat and smallmouth are catch-and-release only. A Washington fishing license is required for all anglers 16 and older.

Public access is excellent. Highway 14 runs the length of the river, and pullouts occur every mile or so. The Washougal boat launch near the town of Washougal is free and well-maintained. The Camas boat launch is also public and free. Bank fishing is productive throughout the river, and you rarely need a boat unless you want to cover more water or reach specific pools. The river is rarely crowded except on weekends during peak steelhead season.

Water levels fluctuate with rainfall and dam releases upstream. Winter and spring bring high water; summer and early fall are lower. The river is driftable most of the year, but call ahead during summer to confirm water levels if you are planning a trip. The Washougal rarely freezes, so winter fishing is possible even in cold years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to fish the Washougal for steelhead?

December and January are the most productive months for winter steelhead. The river receives consistent rainfall, water levels stay in the driftable range, and both hatchery and wild fish are present. March can still be good, but water levels often rise in spring and fishing becomes harder.

Do I need a boat to fish the Washougal?

No. Most productive water is accessible from the bank via Highway 14 pullouts. A boat lets you cover more water and reach specific pools, but it is not necessary. Many anglers fish the entire season from shore and do well.

Can I keep coho salmon from the Washougal?

Retention rules change year to year. In some years coho are open to harvest; in others they are catch-and-release only. Check the current Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations before you fish. The weekly run forecast also notes retention status.

What size are the smallmouth bass in the Washougal?

Most smallmouth run 10 to 14 inches. Larger fish exist but are less common. The population is healthy and growing, and fish are aggressive and willing to strike topwater lures in low light.

Is the Washougal crowded?

The lower river near Camas can be busy on weekends during peak steelhead season (December and January). The upper river and weekday fishing are much quieter. Summer smallmouth fishing is rarely crowded.