Cowlitz River Fishing Trip Planning

Nice haul of hatchery chrome winter steelhead

The famed Cowlitz River is legendary throughout Western Washington for its incredible runs of salmon and steelhead.

The Cowlitz River drains a massive watershed consisting of the southern Washington Cascade mountains and originates from glaciers on the southeast side of Mount Rainier in truly spectacular scenery.

The Cowlitz River finds its way through southwest Washington to join the Columbia River near Longview.

One of the most significant changes to the Cowlitz River occurred in the 60s when Mossyrock and Mayfield Dam were constructed, along with Barrier Dam and the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery.

Before the dams were constructed, the returns of salmon and steelhead were natural and abundant.

After the dams were constructed, the bulk of the runs of salmon and steelhead were raised in the hatcheries owned by Tacoma Power and operated by WDFW.

In more recent history, the survival of remaining natural origin salmon and steelhead has become the subject of much controversy, leading to the change and reduction of the hatchery fish-raising strategy.

While the current salmon and steelhead fishing opportunity is nothing like it was, before the dam construction or when the hatcheries were at full production, it’s still one of the best places to find a hatchery winter steelhead or a coho salmon in western Washington.

This page is meant to provide much more than a few tidbits of history you can find anywhere on the internet though. The goal is to provide you with a one-stop reference to help with fishing trip planning to the Cowlitz River.

This page will answer questions like the following:

When does a run of hatchery salmon or steelhead typically return to the Cowlitz River?
How many fish are expected back at the hatchery?
How many fish returned last week or the week prior to the hatchery?
Where to fish on the Cowlitz River?
How to fish on the Cowlitz River?

Many references on the internet to Cowlitz River fishing will be filled with out-of-date information, but this page is updated and fed automatically based on data being published by a variety of sources to help you have success fishing on the Cowlitz River.

Table of Contents

Current River Conditions on the Cowlitz River

If you know anything about fishing for salmon and steelhead it’s that the river conditions often determine your go/nogo decision.

There are 2-3 river flow (measured in Cubic Feet per Second) graphs you need to keep an eye on and a turbidity gauge to watch in evaluating the Cowlitz River conditions for fishing.

All of the river flow graphs or links on this page come with the following disclaimer:

All data values are qualified as provisional and are subject to revision. Provisional data are released on the condition that neither PNWBestLife.com, the USGS nor the United States Government may be held liable for any damages resulting from its use. Please see http://help.waterdata.usgs.gov/policies/provisional-data-statement for more information

Cowlitz River below Mayfield Dam last 24 hours CFS

For the authoritative but still provisional data refer to the Cowlitz River below Mayfield Dam gauge on the USGS site.

Warning: Below chart is in testing mode, data may not be reliable.

Usually, when looking at this graph you will see step changes in river flow. Water released from the dam can change rapidly and without notice. It’s often a good idea to wear a life vest when fishing near areas where a sudden change in river flow could be life-threatening.

Cowlitz River near Castle Rock last 24 hours CFS and Turbidity

Warning: Below chart is in testing mode, data may not be reliable.

For the authoritative but still provisional data refer to the Cowlitz River near Castle Rock gauge on the USGS site.

Toutle River

For the authoritative but still provisional data refer to the Toutle River near Tower Rd gauge on the USGS site.

Cowlitz River above Castle Rock

You need to do some quick math to calculate this as it’s not an official gauge. The correct number is (Cowlitz River near Castle Rock CFS) – (Toutle River CFS) – (Cowlitz River below Mayfield Dam CFS).

You should be left with the net flow of feeder creeks into the Cowlitz River. You want this number to be < 1000 typically, as higher number means there’s higher turbidity (less visibility) that can negatively impact fishing.

The true total flow is this number without the Mayfield Dam releases removed, but we want to know the net addition since Mayfield Dam releases are always with low turbidity water.

Cowlitz River Salmon Fishing 2024

Fall salmon on the Cowlitz River used to be fairly reliable, but this has changed significantly with revisions to the hatchery strategy that have cut production of fall chinook. In 2024, the Cowlitz will once again be a place for retention of hatchery coho only based on the recently released regulations near the bottom of this blog page.

Updated status on hatchery fall chinook returning to the Cowlitz River

The above graph will update every Thursday typically.

When to fish for fall chinook on the Cowlitz River?

When looking at a chart like the above, you want to visually ascertain when the run really begins to be fishable in most years. Fish start to trickle in throughout August, but towards the end of the month they will be in the lower rivers with significant numbers. The run peaks at the hatchery typically in late September – early October.

Forecast for 2024 Cowlitz River Fall Chinook

The run of fall chinook on the Cowlitz hasn’t arrived at anywhere near the great returns of 2013-2016. The most recent 5 year trend has not been very encouraging either leading to the retention closure of fall chinook in many of these recent years.

Updated status on hatchery coho returning to the Cowlitz River

The above graph will update every Thursday typically.

When to fish for coho on the Cowlitz River?

When looking at a chart like the above, you want to visually ascertain when the run really begins to be fishable in most years. Coho will start returning to the hatchery in September, but the run really peaks in early November when on good years, the numbers can be prolific and provide some great opportunities for anglers.

Forecast for 2024 Cowlitz River Coho

If only we could have another year like 2014 for coho fishing on the Cowlitz! 2021 and 2022 were much improved from recent runs, but 2023 took a step back. 2024 is expected to be similar to 2023.

Cowlitz River Spring Chinook Fishing 2024

The Cowlitz used to be one of the more reliable Columbia River Tributaries you could fish for spring chinook and have decent expectations of adding a few to your punch card.

Sadly, that has not been the case in recent years as the run has struggled to even make escapement in some years not too long ago.

Here’s an account of where we are right now though in this run:

Updated status on hatchery spring chinook returning to the Cowlitz River

The above graph will update every Thursday typically.

When to fish for spring chinook on the Cowlitz River?

When looking at a chart like the above, you want to visually ascertain when the run really begins to be fishable in most years. And you could say that it’s likely right in the last few weeks of April and continuing for quite some time.

Forecast for 2024 Cowlitz River Spring Chinook

The run of spring chinook on the Cowlitz hasn’t arrived at anywhere near the great returns of 2015-2017. We’ve had a nice uptrend from 2021-2022, but now we are trending back the wrong direction.

Last year’s run in 2023 was ok, but WDFW is expecting 2024 to be below that.

Cowlitz River Winter Steelhead Fishing 2023-2024

The winter steelhead run on the Cowlitz is typically a decent bet due to the number of returning steelhead, but also the usually more steady water flow and clarity as a result of the series of dams on the upper river.

Updated status on hatchery late-run winter steelhead returning to the Cowlitz River

The above graph will update every Thursday typically.

When to fish for winter steelhead on the Cowlitz River?

As you can see, the late run winter steelhead kind of trickle in until mid-March when things really take off and into early April when you see the peak of the run typically.

Forecast for 2023-2024 Cowlitz River Winter Steelhead

Note: Smolts planted in the 2022 year will predominantly return as 3-year fish in the 2023-2024 winter steelhead season or in the case of summer steelhead, the 2023 summer steelhead season.

The above chart represents an overall uptrend in smolt plants since 2017, but a reversal from the high plant year of 2022. Still, if ocean conditions and outmigration were good, there should be a decent run of winter steelhead on the Cowlitz River in 2024.

Hatchery winter steelhead returns from 2013-2023

Even with increased smolt plants, the 2023 winter steelhead escapement was slightly lower than in 2022.

Hopefully, the 2023-2024 winter steelhead run on the Cowlitz exceeds 4,000, but something closer to 3,000 is likely more realistic.

How to fish for winter steelhead on the Cowlitz River?

I have several important resources on PNWBestLife.com and the YouTube channel to help you become a better winter steelhead angler.

The Cowlitz River is big steelhead water and is best fished from a boat, preferably a jet-sled. You can navigate it with a drift boat as well, but the majority of fishing is done from jet sleds.

Fishing the Cowlitz River is almost synonymous with fishing Blue Creek and the area around the Cowlitz Trout Hatchery where steelhead are raised.

You will find dozens of boats fishing the “last mile”, making pass after pass through this stretch of water, along with a few bank anglers plying the waters close to shore with drift and float fishing gear.

I would normally direct you to my resources like How to read water for winter steelhead.

Also, the above YouTube video.

However, while these concepts apply to all rivers, you won’t see the definition show up as clearly on a river like the Cowlitz where a single riffle-run-tailout could span close to a mile of river.

Most of the most productive water around Blue Creek is one long perfect tail-out for steelhead to hold in.

Many presentation styles can have success for steelhead on the Cowlitz River. near Blue Creek

My favorite is still the float fishing technique, and in particular, using small 1/8 oz jigs tipped with a bit of shrimp.

winter steelhead on a spinner near blue creek on the cowlitz river

You can use drift gear and spinners as well, and I’ve had success with both, but there are some major drawbacks.

If you choose to drift fish this section of the river, just know that there are thousands if not more broken-off drift rigs in the steelhead holding water.

Just ask a fishing guide how many leaders they have to tie up prior to the season just to complete one day of side-drifting this section of water!

I’ve caught steelhead here with spinners, but because there is so much boat traffic and salmon/steelhead generally need to be “comfortable” to take a spinner, this is also a significant challenge.

It’s best to stick with float fishing gear and keep your jig above all the crap, steelhead will come up and bite it if they are present.

I’ve also got a complete guide to Winter Steelhead Fishing you should check out and again, an accompanying YouTube video below:

Fishing Regulations on the Cowlitz River for 2024-2025

Species	Date	Additional Rules
from boundary markers at mouth to Lexington Bridge CRC (561)
All species		Two-Pole allowed.
Trout	Apr. 1-Fri. before Memorial Day	Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Release wild cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout.
Trout	Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31	Min. size 8”. Daily limit 5. Except: Release wild cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout.
Steelhead (hatchery)	Year-round	Min. size 20”. Daily limit 3.
Other game fish	Year-round	Statewide min. size/daily limit.
Salmon	Jan. 1-July 31	Min. size 12”. Daily limit 6 including no more than 2 adults. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and hatchery coho.
Salmon	Aug. 1-Dec. 31	Min. size 12”. Daily limit 6 including no more than 3 adults. Release all salmon other than hatchery coho.
from Lexington Bridge to Mill Creek CRC (561)
All species		Two-Pole allowed.
Trout	Apr. 1-Fri. before Memorial Day	Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Release wild rainbow trout and wild cutthroat trout.
Trout	Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31	Min. size 8”. Daily limit 5. Release wild rainbow trout and wild cutthroat trout.
Steelhead (hatchery)	Year-round	Min. size 20”. Daily limit 3.
Other game fish	Year-round	Statewide min. size/daily limit.
Salmon	Jan. 1-July 31	Min. size 12”. Daily limit 6 including no more than 2 adults. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and hatchery coho.
Salmon	Aug. 1-Dec. 31	Min. size 12”. Daily limit 6 including no more than 3 adults. Release all salmon other than hatchery coho.
within a 100’ radius of the new Cowlitz Trout Hatchery outfall structure CRC (561)
All species		Open only to anglers with disabilities who permanently use a wheelchair and who have a designated harvester companion card. These anglers may fish within posted markers when adjacent waters are open. Two-Pole allowed.
Trout	Apr. 1-Fri. before Memorial Day	Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Release wild cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout.
Trout	Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31	Min. size 8”. Daily limit 5. Except: Release wild cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout.
Steelhead (hatchery)	Year-round	Min. size 20”. Daily limit 3.
Other game fish	Year-round	Statewide min. size/daily limit.
Salmon	Jan. 1-July 31	Min. size 12”. Daily limit 6 including no more than 2 adults. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and hatchery coho.
Salmon	Aug. 1-Dec. 31	Min. size 12”. Daily limit 6 including no more than 3 adults. Release all salmon other than hatchery coho.
from Mill Creek to 400’ or posted markers below the Barrier Dam CRC (561)
All species		Fishing from any floating device prohibited. Two-Pole allowed.
	Apr. 1-Nov. 30	Anti-snagging rule. Night closure.
	May 1-June 15	Fishing from south side of river is prohibited.
Trout	Apr. 1-Fri. before Memorial Day	Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Release wild cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout.
Trout	Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31	Min. size 8”. Daily limit 5. Except: Release wild cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout.
Steelhead (hatchery)	Year-round	Min. size 20”. Daily limit 3.
Other game fish	Year-round	Statewide min. size/daily limit.
Salmon	Jan. 1-July 31	Min. size 12”. Daily limit 6 including no more than 2 adults. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and hatchery coho.
Salmon	Aug. 1-Dec. 31	Min. size 12”. Daily limit 6 including no more than 3 adults. Release all salmon other than hatchery coho.
within a 100’ radius of the new Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery wheelchair ramp (within the posted fishing boundary) CRC (561)
All species		Open only to anglers with disabilities who have a designated harvester companion card. These anglers may fish within posted markers.
All species	Apr. 1-Nov. 30	Night closure.
Trout	Apr. 1-Fri. before Memorial Day	Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Release wild cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout.
Trout	Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31	Min. size 8”. Daily limit 5. Except: Release wild cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout.
Steelhead (hatchery)	Year-round	Min. size 20”. Daily limit 3.
Other game fish	Year-round	Statewide min. size/daily limit.
Salmon	Jan. 1-July 31	Min. size 12”. Daily limit 6 including no more than 2 adults. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and hatchery coho.
Salmon	Aug. 1-Dec. 31	Min. size 12”. Daily limit 6. Daily limit 6 including no more than 3 adults. Release all salmon other than hatchery coho.
from 400’ or posted markers below the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery barrier dam to boundary markers near the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery water intake located about 1,700’ upstream from the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery barrier dam
All species		CLOSED WATERS.
from boundary markers near the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery water intake located about 1,700’ upstream from the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery barrier dam to 400’ below Mayfield Powerhouse CRC (561)
Trout	Apr. 1-Fri. before Memorial Day	Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Release wild cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout.
Trout	Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31	Min. size 8”. Daily limit 5. Except: Release wild cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout.
Steelhead (hatchery)	Year-round	Min. size 20”. Daily limit 3.
Other game fish	Year-round	Statewide min. size/daily limit.
Salmon	Jan. 1-July 31	Min. size 12”. Daily limit 6 including no more than 2 adults. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and hatchery coho.
Salmon	Aug. 1-Dec. 31	Min. size 12”. Daily limit 6 including no more than 3 adults. Release all salmon other than hatchery coho.
from 400’ below Mayfield Powerhouse upstream to Mayfield Dam.
All species		CLOSED WATERS.
from the posted PUD sign on Peters Road to the Forest Rd. 1270 (old Jody’s Bridge) CRC (559)
All species		Closed to all angling within posted “Closed Waters” signs around the adult fish release site.
All species	Sept. 1-Oct. 31	Anti-snagging rule. Night closure.
Trout	Year-round	Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Release wild cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout.
Other game fish	Year-round	Statewide min. size/daily limit.
Salmon	Year-round	Min. size 12”. Daily limit 6 including no more than 2 adults. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and hatchery coho.
from Forest Rd. 1270 (old Jody’s Bridge) upstream and tributaries CRC (559)
All species		Selective gear rules.
Trout	Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31	Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: release cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout.
Other game fish	Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31	Statewide min. size/daily limit.

Please refer to WDFW’s emergency rules page for a full list of rules that are in effect.

It’s your responsibility as the recreational angler to know ALL of these rules, not just what is discussed here on the blog.

Full time PNW fisherman, hunter and harvester of local foods.

Kyle

Sharing content and insights on sustainable harvest through fishing, hunting, foraging, and shellfish gathering. I have 20+ years of experience building technology solutions and my goal is to build digital solutions to help you, on your learning journey toward more successful harvest recreation. I’ve lived in the PNW most of my life and I have 30+ years of angling experience to share.