Lakes in Cowlitz County
Blue Lake
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Carlisle Lake
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Castle Lake
Castle Lake: Located in the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Castle Lake requires a 20-plus mile drive over rough logging roads, followed by a tough hike down a steep hillside to the lake. The key to finding the lake is to first find the Weyerhaeuser 3000 road. Would-be anglers not familiar with the area should get a St. Helens West hunting map, published by the Washington Forest Protection Association. Those who put forth the effort have a chance to catch dandy-size rainbow trout; fish up to 10 pounds have been reported. This is a self-sustaining fishery, with no fish planted, so selective gear rules are in effect, along with a one-fish, 16-inch minimum size limit. The lake is open year-round, but the road in is usually blocked by snow until at least May.
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Coldwater Lake (700 acres)
Located in the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument off SR 504, Coldwater Lake was formed by a debris dam resulting from the eruption of Mount St. Helens. Skamania and Cowlitz counties share this lake, but the main access is in Cowlitz County. Rainbow trout fingerlings stocked in the late 1980s have grown to impressive size, and have begun reproducing on their own. No additional planting is planned. Cutthroat trout, apparent survivors of the eruption, also inhabit the lake. Selective fishery regulations are in effect, with a one-fish limit and 16-inch minimum size limit. Electric fishing motors are allowed. Coldwater opened to excellent fishing in summer 1993, with limited shoreline access provided by the U.S. Forest Service. A boat launch, fish cleaning station, and nature walk were completed in 1994. Contact the Forest Service's Mount St. Helens monument headquarters (306/247-5473) for access information. Although the lake is open to fishing all year, access may not be available during winter. Disabled accessibility - Level 2 at the boat ramp. WCT, Blk Tpa, steep ramp.
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Coweeman Lake
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Fawn Lake
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Horseshoe Lake (78.9 acres)
Elevation 20ft. Depth 16ft. Fish Species Present:Rainbow and Brown Trout, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed and Warmouth.
Located in the city of Woodland, and has a public boat launch. Open season runs from the last Saturday in April to October 31. This lake will be planted with plenty of catchable-size rainbow trout, and brown trout up to 11 inches before the opener, plus another supplemental plant of rainbows in May. A few broodstock rainbow (20-26 inches) and 630 jumbo rainbows (10-12 inches) will also be stocked before opening day. There are some large carry-over rainbows and browns. Horseshoe Lake also supports populations of largemouth bass and a few other warmwater fish.
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Kress Lake (26 acres)
Depth 17ft. Fish Species Present: Rainbow and Brown Trout. Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Warmouth, Pumpkinseed, Brown Bullhead, Channel Catfish.
This lake is located near I-5 and the Kalama River Road. Open season runs from the last Saturday in April to the end of February the following year. Kress gets a large plant of catchable-size rainbow and brown trout for opening day, with a few broodstock and jumbo rainbows thrown in for excitement. Kress holds largemouth Bass, bluegill and pumpkinseed sunfish. Be sure to check your reg's for size limits. Boat access is available for cartop boats only; gasoline motors are not allowed. Lots of bank access. Disabled accessibility - level 1.
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Lakeview Peak Lake
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McBride's Lake (9 acres)
This lake is located near Mt St Helens. It containes mostly brook trout with a few cutthroat and rainbows in the lake too. There are no special regs on the lake but please do not use bait unless you plan on keeping fish. The average fish is 6-8 inches with a very few fish between 12-14 inches.
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Merrill Lake (344 acres)
This fly-fishing-only lake is located north of Cougar near Mount St. Helens. Merrill contains coastal cutthroat, brown trout to several pounds, and some rainbow trout. Special bag and size limits are in effect; please check the regulations pamphlet. Internal combustion engines are prohibited on boats that are used for fishing. Merrill is open year-round, but action is usually slow during the winter months. There is a DNR campground and boat ramp.
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Merwin Reservior (4090 acres)
This North Fork Lewis River impoundment located near the town of Ariel is shared by Clark and Cowlitz counties, with 2,400 acres in Clark County and 1,690 in Cowlitz. Landlocked coho salmon and kokanee are the main target. Angling is best in early spring, with fish in the 10-inch class. Small northern squawfish can be numerous and pesky. Tiger muskies were planted in 1995 to help control squawfish populations. There is a 36-inch minimum size limit on the muskies, which they will not reach for several year
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Sacajawea Lake (47.7 acres)
Elevation 10ft. Depth 21ft.
This lake within Longview's city limits is open all year, and provides an excellent fishery for largemouth bass,Black Crappie,Warmouth,Brown Bullhead, yellow perch, bluegill, and other sunfish. Sacajawea is usually stocked in early spring with good numbers of catchable-size rainbow and brown trout, plus a few broodstock and jumbo rainbows. Another rainbow plant is planned for Free Fishing Weekend in June. Electric motors may be used with permission from the Longview Parks Department; gasoline motors are not allowed. Disabled accessibility - Level 2. Fishing gazebos, lgs, dp.
Lake Sacajawea Park
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Silver Lake (1650 Acres)
Elevation 484ft. Depth 10ft.
Located between Castle Rock and Toutle, Silver Lake is open year-round. This is considered by some to be the best largemouth bass lake in western Washington. There is a 14-inch minimum size limit on bass. Silver also provides good-to-excellent fishing for yellow perch, bluegills, brown bullheads and Black crappie. Some pumpkinseed sunfish and warmouth are also taken. Grass carp planted in 1992 have reduced the aquatic vegetation. Anglers are reminded that regulations prohibit the taking of grass carp. Because of the reduction in aquatic weeds, rainbow trout are being planted again, with 10,000 catchable-size trout set for release this spring. A few trout are also available as a result of natural production in the tributaries. A WDFW boat access is available with a small dock, as are ramps and boat rentals at private resorts. Disabled accessibility at WDFW access area - Level 1. DP, WCT, some Blk Tpa, gs in parking lot, accessible fishing dock.
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Spirit Lake
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The Pond
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Yale Reservior
Yale Reservoir (3,802 acres): Please refer to Clark County, which holds the majority of this North Fork Lewis River impoundment.
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