Rivers in Skamania County
Columbia River
Columbia River: This section of the Columbia offers good fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass and walleye. A few other warmwater species are also caught. Summer steelhead, fall chinook and coho salmon are taken above and below Bonneville Dam when seasons allow. Steelhead fishing peaks in August, with a shift toward fall salmon in September. Sturgeon fishing can be productive from both bank and boat. Regulations allow retention of one sturgeon 42-60 inches in length from the Dalles Dam downstream. The sturgeon fishery is managed on a quota basis. Bank angling is available downstream from Bonneville Dam, with special restrictions for areas just below the dam; check the regulations pamphlet. Boats are restricted at all times between a line from the Hamilton Island boat ramp southeasterly across the river to Robins Island and upstream to the dam. Bank access is closed at Garrison Eddy. From May 1 through July 15, the area from Bonneville Dam downstream to Beacon Rock is closed to boat fishing for sturgeon. There is a free boat launch at Hamilton Island. This area is one of the top shad-producing spots in the state. Both boat and bank angling are productive, with late May and June the most productive months. Shad angling on the lower Columbia opens May 16 this year. Check the regulations pamphlet for new, more liberal walleye rules.
Lewis River (North Fork)
Lewis River, North Fork: Above Swift Reservoir to the lower falls, the river, including all tributaries (such as Big Muddy, Pine and Rush Creeks), is open to catch-and-release fishing only, with selective gear rules in effect. This will provide some quality trout fishing, while protecting the bull trout in the area. The season is June 1 through October 31.
Little Wind River
Muddy River
Washougal River
Washougal River: See Clark County.
White Salmon River
White Salmon River (Big White Salmon): This river produces spring and fall salmon, plus summer and a few winter steelhead. This year should provide some opportunity for spring chinook angling. The White Salmon provides a very popular steelhead fishery in August and early September. All wild steelhead must be released throughout the entire river. From the natural gas pipeline crossing above Northwestern Reservoir upstream to Gilmer Creek, the river is open to trout fishing from June 1 through October 31, with selective gear rules in effect. Fall chinook fishing can be good, with most caught by boaters near the mouth. Non-buoyant lure restrictions will be in effect this fall. Check the regulations pamphlet for details. Bank angling can also produce near the mouth, but the area is limited and often crowded. Boat launching is difficult near the mouth; boats must be carried down the bank. Better launching facilities can be found at Bingen or across the Columbia at Hood River, Oregon. An occasional walleye is caught here.
Wind River
Wind River: The popular spring salmon fishery near the mouth of the Wind is expected to be excellent this year, with a record 16,900 fish predicted to return. A fall salmon and steelhead fishery also occurs near the mouth. Wild steelhead must be released. The river and all tributaries upstream from Shipherd Falls is closed to all angling except during the spring chinook season. Both boat and bank angling can be productive near the mouth; boats can be launched from the county ramp near the mouth. The boat ramp can be crowded and parking is difficult. Non-buoyant lure restrictions will be in effect this fall. Check the regulations pamphlet for details.
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