Rivers in Benton County
Columbia River Pools & Sloughs
Columbia River Pools and Sloughs: Various species provide good fishing opportunities. Walleyes are caught throughout McNary and John Day pools, with popular areas below McNary and John Day dams. Check the regulations pamphlet for new walleye rules below Pasco. Boat-launch facilities are at Crow Butte, Paterson, and Plymouth. Excellent smallmouth bass fishing in the river and sloughs at Paterson, and largemouth and smallmouth fishing is good in the Hanford area and near the mouth of the Yakima River. Another good smallmouth area, plus fair crappie, perch, sunfish and brown bullhead action, can be found in the Finley area. Channel catfish are caught throughout McNary Pool, with some 6- to 8-pounders. Sturgeon fishing has been fair throughout this portion of the Columbia. Check the current regulations pamphlet and emergency regulations for spring chinook salmon in the Ringold Hatchery area. Fall chinook return to the Hanford Reach area from September through November, with the best fishing in late September to mid-October. Be sure to check the latest regulations and emergency measures to protect sturgeon and salmon. Fishing for hatchery steelhead is best between McNary Dam and the Wallula area, in October and November. All wild steelhead must be released. Main boat access sites for the Hanford Reach area are at Vernita Bridge in Grant County (rough, no ramp), and Wahluke and Ringold in Franklin County.
Yakima River
Yakima River: Fishing for smallmouth bass and channel catfish is good in the lower river. The Richland/Benton City area is popular for these species. Channel catfish in the 8-pound class are not uncommon, but average size is 1 to 2 pounds. A regulation change permits chumming for channel catfish; refer to the regulations pamphlet for details. Smallmouth bass are generally under 1-1/2 pounds, but fish up to 6 pounds are caught. Recent research has confirmed that large smallmouth migrate upriver from the Columbia in April and May. Trophy smallmouth can be caught during this spring migration. Expect a fall chinook and coho salmon season again this year in September and October. The Yakima is open year-round, but closed to trout fishing in April and May. The entire river, including all tributaries and drains, is closed to steelhead fishing. Checks Reg's.
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