Cowlitz River Steelhead Fishing
If the Cowlitz River is known for anything, it is steelhead fishing. Cowlitz River steelhead enjoy great water temperatures and plenty of holding water year around. For anglers, the Cowlitz River offers over 50 river miles of steelhead fishing opportunity, with all of it being productive.
Cowlitz River summer steelhead begin entering the river in June and good fishing lasts clear through August. Cowlitz River summer steelhead are as good a fighting steelhead as you will fish for anywhere. These fish are great biters and famous for tracking down a bait from great distances. Cowlitz River summer steelhead are just simply aggressive and until you’ve actually tied into one of these fish, words really don’t give their ability justice. Clients of mine return year after year to enjoy this fishery.
I fish the Blue Creek area below the Barrier Dam and above Toledo. This is probably the most productive section of river there is on the Cowlitz for summer steelhead. We mostly cast for summer steelhead and most of my clients really appreciate this. We use ultra light tackle and either side drift small chunks of eggs, or cast little spoons. Occasionally we will also back troll coon shrimp if that is what they’re after on a particular day.
If you’d like to overnight, or fish for several days, lodging options are aplenty when fishing the Blue Creek area on the Cowlitz. Hotels, tent sites and RV options all exist. Simply contact me for more information.
For additional fishing opportunities on the Cowlitz River, visit the Cowlitz River fishing page. For a wider look at fishing in Oregon and Washington, please see the various link options on this page. For other summer steelhead fishing opportunities please visit my Lewis River fishing page. For summer and winter trips visit my steelhead fishing page.