Rivers in Wahkiakum County
Brooks Slough
Columbia River Bars
Columbia River: Steelhead and sea-run cutthroat fishing is usually good around the Cathlamet area during the summer. The river below Bonneville Dam reopens to shad and steelhead angling May 16 below the I-5 Bridge. Fall salmon fishing will probably open August 1. For more information, contact the WDFW regional office in Vancouver (phone number listed inside the front cover). Sturgeon fishing can also be very good in this area, with limited bank angling along the Columbia White-tailed Deer National Wildlife Refuge. From Bonneville Dam downstream to the mouth, the daily sturgeon limit is one fish 42-60 inches in length. Anglers can continue to catch-and-release after they have legally recorded their daily bag limit. However, this area will be closed to sturgeon retention in April, and closures are also possible in the fall. Check with the WDFW regional office in Vancouver for more information. Public boat launches are available at Cathlamet (Elochoman Slough) Marina (small fee required) and Skamokawa (free but primitive).
Deep River
Deep River: This river has a year-round warm water fishery. Expect fair angling for largemouth bass and crappie, with some yellow perch. Near the mouth in Grays Bay is a popular spot for sturgeon. A private (fee required) boat launch near the mouth provides access to the Grays Bay-area sturgeon fishery. See sturgeon size and catch limit information above under Columbia River. Deep River will also be open to salmon angling to harvest returning net-pen reared early coho and spring chinook. The salmon opportunity should be best in September.
Elochoman River
Elochoman River: This river west of Cathlamet has fair summer steelhead fishing from June through November, plus good winter-run steelheading in December, January and February. Coho salmon are expected in good numbers this year, which may support a fall fishery. Salmon angling areas are restricted; check the regulations pamphlet if there is a season. Sea-run cutthroat can be good during fall and early winter. However, the sea-run cutthroat hatchery program has been discontinued due to budget cuts. All wild steelhead and cutthroat must be released.
Grays River
Grays River: A good steelhead river December through March. Wild steelhead must be released. The salmon return this fall may provide a fishery. Boating access is available near the Highway 403 bridge in the Rosburg area. The West Fork up to the hatchery opens for winter steelheading in January.
Skamokawa Creek
Skamokawa Creek: This small stream west of the town of Skamokawa is good for steelhead in December, January and February. Wild steelhead must be released.
Fishing in the Northwest Home Page
