Fishing at the Lewis River Near Woodland
The Lewis River near Woodland, Washington offers some really great fishing opportunities throughout the year. With two runs of steelhead and four runs of salmon moving through the system, this Southwest Washington river gives anglers a genuine shot at good fishing nearly every month of the year, all within a manageable drive from Seattle. So whether it’s Spring Chinook, Steelhead or the ever-so-popular Fall Salmon seasons, there’s some exciting options on the Lewis.
Where is the Lewis River
The Lewis River system is fed by roughly 95 miles of river originating on the slopes of Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens, flowing through Clark, Cowlitz, and Skamania counties before reaching the Columbia River near Woodland. Three hydroelectric dams on the North Fork, Merwin, Yale, and Swift, regulate flows and create a tailrace fishery below Merwin Dam known for cold, stable water that holds fish exceptionally well. The lower 12 to 20 miles from Merwin Dam down to Woodland are the prime fishing water and see the bulk of angling pressure, winding through a scenic mix of forest, farmland, and a well-known golf course along the way. The East Fork, a separate, free-flowing stream through Clark County, has a wilder character and holds the Washington state record winter steelhead.
From Seattle, Woodland and the lower Lewis River are about a two-hour drive south on I-5, making the trip comparable to nearby rivers like the Kalama and Cowlitz. Because the Lewis sits a bit further from major population centers than rivers closer to Portland, it often sees noticeably less pressure than its excellent fishing might suggest, which is part of the appeal for anglers willing to make the drive.
Lewis River Map
What you can catch in the Lewis River
The Lewis is genuinely a year-round fishery, with two steelhead runs and four salmon runs providing action across nearly every season. Spring Chinook enter the river in April and fish well through May, prized both for their fight and their table quality. Summer steelhead follow close behind, often called the best run of its kind in the state, running strong from June through August in the cool, flow-regulated water below the dams. Fall Chinook move in as the summer steelhead run tapers off, running into November, and coho salmon arrive alongside them, providing consistent action from September through November, especially in the lower tidal sections. Winter steelhead round out the calendar, offering good fishing from December through March, with 2026 expected to benefit from fish returning through a new WDFW broodstock program. The East Fork also holds rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, and its own smaller steelhead runs. As with most Columbia tributaries, only hatchery-marked fish may generally be retained, so anglers should always confirm current rules before keeping anything.
The Lewis River is one of Washington's most renowned fishing locations, with good fishing opportunities nearly the entire year.
Lewis River Fishing Seasons
Spring is defined by the arrival of spring Chinook, entering the river in April and providing good fishing through May, particularly in the stretch from the Meat Hole down through the golf course and into Woodland. These springers have a well-earned reputation as strong biters and are considered some of the best-tasting salmon around, making this an eagerly awaited season for local anglers. As the spring run winds down, summer steelhead begin trickling in, setting up the transition into the next big push. Back-trolling Kwikfish, Mag Lips and M2 Flatfish is a good option for boaters. Float fishing with bobbers and cured roe, or drift fishing with a corky and cured roe picks up most of the Springers caught here.
Summer brings the Lewis's signature fishery: summer steelhead, running from roughly May through October with peak numbers from June through August. These fish are known as hard fighters and reliable biters, thriving in the cool, dam-regulated water below Merwin that stays comfortable even during hot stretches. Side-drifting eggs and casting small spoons like Little Cleo’s or spinners like Steelhead Slammers are popular techniques, and the consistent flows make this one of the most dependable stretches of the year to plan a trip around. Bobber and Soft Bead is also a great option.
Fall overlaps two strong runs at once. Fall Chinook and coho both move through the system starting in late summer, with coho action extending from September through November and Chinook fishing remaining strong into November as well. The lower tidal sections near Woodland are especially productive for coho during this stretch, and this transitional season often gives anglers a shot at multiple species in a single outing before the year winds toward winter steelhead. Back-trolling Kwikfish and Mag Lips or float fishing with bobbers and cured roe is prime for Chinook. Coho will also bite these offerings, but adding Blue Fox Vibrax Spinners or Twitching Jigs to the line-up will help you specifically target them.
Winter shifts attention to winter steelhead, with the best fishing generally running from December through March and building toward a strong finish. Thanks to the dam system upstream, the Lewis tends to stay fishable even when nearby unregulated rivers blow out from heavy rain, giving winter anglers a more reliable option during Washington's wettest months. Side-drifting and float fishing with Bobbers and Soft Beads in accessible bank areas are the standard approach, and dedicated anglers can find good action right through the coldest part of the year. Drift fishing with Corkies and Yarn is also highly effective.
Best Fishing Spots on the Lewis River
The North Fork boat launch near Cedar Creek Road, about five miles east of Woodland, is the most famous access point on the river and home to the "Meat Hole," a deep pool that draws heavy boat traffic during the spring Chinook run. Just downstream, the excellent bank fishing below the hatchery holds spring Chinook and steelhead nearly year-round and is a strong choice for anglers without a boat. Paradise Point State Park, a 20-acre park jointly managed by WDFW and Clark County off Haapa Road, combines a boat launch with hiking trails and solid bank access along a long, deep run. Further downstream, the stretch through Woodland itself, including the water near the golf course, offers additional bank and boat access as the river nears its mouth. The East Fork, for anglers looking for a different experience, offers its own dedicated access points and a shot at trophy-class wild steelhead water, managed as a gene bank for the species.
Fishing on the Lewis River
The dam system that shapes the Lewis is a double-edged asset: it creates some of the most reliable, cold-water fishing conditions in the region, but it also means the river is intensively managed, with legal gear and bait often dictated by whether you're targeting hatchery or wild fish, and by your position relative to hatchery deadlines. Regulations can shift during the season, including anti-snagging rules and seasonal night closures in certain stretches, so checking current WDFW emergency rules or the Fish Washington app before every trip is essential. A valid Washington fishing license, along with the appropriate salmon and steelhead endorsement, is required. With its steady dam-regulated flows, diverse year-round runs, and comparatively light crowds for how good the fishing is, the Lewis River rewards anglers willing to make the trip south from Seattle.
