Fishing at the Kalama River
Clear, green, and remarkably consistent, the Kalama River has built a loyal following among Southwest Washington anglers who want a genuine shot at fish nearly every month of the year. It's a smaller, more intimate river than some of its neighbors, but it more than makes up for size with steady runs and easy access to some great fishing for Steelhead, Spring Chinook, Fall Chinook and Coho Salmon.
Another picture perfect spot to target salmon and steelhead on the Kalama River.
Where is the Kalama River
The Kalama River drains the southwest flank of Mount St. Helens and runs about 45 miles through Cascade foothills, old-growth forest, and timberland before joining the Columbia River near the town of Kalama. It's a freestone stream with a distinctive clear, green tint, flowing through a mix of open lower river near I-5 and a more rugged, canyon-like character as you head upstream. Compared to some of the bigger rivers in the region, the Kalama feels approachable, small to medium in size depending on rainfall, which makes it a comfortable river for wading and bank fishing.
From Seattle, the Kalama is about a two-hour drive south on I-5, with Kalama River Road picking up right off the freeway near the town of Kalama and following the river upstream from there. That easy freeway access is part of what makes the Kalama so popular, since it's one of the more convenient southwest Washington rivers to reach without a long detour off the interstate.
Kalama River Map
What you can catch in the Kalama River
The Kalama is best known for producing steelhead essentially every month of the year, a rare trait that sets it apart from many other regional rivers. Summer-run steelhead dominate the catch, with excellent fishing typically stretching from May through August, while winter steelhead provide strong action from January into April. Spring Chinook, locally called "springers," draw a dedicated following each year as they build through April and May, and fall brings a strong run of coho salmon along with fall Chinook. Sea-run cutthroat trout add another option throughout the system. As with most hatchery-supported rivers in the region, retention rules generally apply to hatchery-marked fish, with wild steelhead and salmon requiring release, so it's worth double-checking current WDFW rules for the specific stretch you plan to fish.
Kalama River Fishing Seasons
Spring kicks off with the arrival of spring Chinook, typically starting in March and building through April, alongside the first summer steelhead showing up in May. This is one of the most anticipated stretches of the year for local anglers, with springer fishing often peaking in the April-to-May window before tapering off. It's also a good time to find a mix of species in the river at once, as early summer steelhead start to overlap with the tail end of the spring salmon run. Fishing with bobbers & soft beads or steelhead jigs is a great way to target everything in the river. If Springers are your main target, bobber fishing with cured roe or sand shrimp is a great choice, as is back-trolling a Yakima Bait Mag Lip 3.5 or a bait diver with a spin-n-glo and sand shrimp.
Summer is prime time for the Kalama's signature fishery. Summer steelhead run strong from June through September, with May, June, July, and August often producing hundreds of fish during the summer season. Bobber fishing with steelhead jigs, soft beads, and eggs is a favorite technique during these months, and the river's fly-fishing-only stretch draws anglers looking for a more technical, traditional approach. Warm, stable summer flows make this an easy season for consistent access and comfortable wading. Another tactic is swinging a spinner like a Steelhead Slammer through the tailouts and pocket water.
Fall brings a strong coho run that typically gets going around the second week of October as rains raise river levels, with excellent fishing continuing for several weeks. Fall Chinook move through around the same time, and steelhead fishing begins picking up again by mid-November as the early winter run starts to trickle in. It's a lively, transitional season on the Kalama, with multiple species often available in the same trip. Back-troll wrapped Kwikfish, Brad’s Wigglers or Mag Lips from your drift boat. If you’re bank fishing, rolling Blue Fox Vibrax Spinners, casting Twitching Jigs, or float fishing with bobber and eggs can be the ticket.
Winter is when the Kalama's winter steelhead fishery takes over, with the best fishing typically running from January through April. The run tends to build gradually through the colder months, with numbers really picking up by mid-March and peaking in early April. Because the Kalama is smaller than many neighboring rivers, its winter steelhead run can feel especially productive relative to its size, drawing dedicated anglers throughout the coldest months of the year. Float fishing with a bobber and steelhead jig is the top tactic during this time, but soft beads are a close second.
Long drifts and deep pools throughout the lower and middle river make it a phenomenal place to fish from a drift boat or raft.
Best Fishing Spots on the Kalama River
The Modrow Bridge Hole and the water just below it, known as Rainbow Drifts, are favorites early in the season and a great starting point for anglers new to the river. Further up, the Beginners Hole lives up to its name as an approachable, welcoming spot for newer anglers. The areas around Kalama Falls Hatchery and Fallert Fish Hatchery offer reliable shore access and consistently hold fish during peak runs, with the Hand boat ramp providing nearby boat access just upriver from Fallert. The Prichard's access site combines a hand launch with ample parking and shore access, right across from a local fly shop, while the Red Barn access spot and countless unofficial turnouts along Kalama River Road add even more options the farther upriver you explore. For anglers chasing a bit more solitude, the Kalama Canyon upstream offers excellent drift fishing water and a wilder feel as the terrain gets more rugged.
Fishing on the Kalama River
The Kalama's easy access from I-5 is part of what makes the river so popular, and it also means fishing pressure can be significant during peak runs. Certain stretches, including a well-known fly-fishing-only section, carry their own special regulations, and rules can vary by location and season, so checking the current Washington Sport Fishing rules pamphlet or the Fish Washington app before heading out is a smart habit. Anglers 15 and older also need to be aware of Columbia River-specific licensing requirements, including the Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement, when fishing waters connected to the mainstem. Don't be discouraged by the occasional slow report — when the fish are running on the Kalama, this compact, scenic river can deliver some of the most consistent, rod-bending action in Southwest Washington.
