Table of Contents show. A Discover Pass is required. Well, for the savvy anglers among us, this is your chance to get in on one of the most underutilized fisheries in Washington State, channel catfish. But keep that spot in mind when you return because chances are good you will find them there again. Chief Timothy State Park, located on an island in the Snake River, off U.S.12 west of Clarkston, has a boat ramp wide enough to launch as many as four boats at the same time, campsites, restrooms, and showers. Lyons Ferry State Park, at the confluence of the Palouse and Snake Rivers, has an expansive boat ramp, as well as campsites, restrooms, showers, and other amenities. The deep, wide, soft-bottom flats between the mouth of the Snake and Walla Walla rivers harbor large walleyes in the spring, many in the 12- to 16-pound range. There are good opportunities to catch catfish throughout the warmer months. So when you hook, fightand land a fish, theres a good chance it will release that pheromone, and the remaining fish will catch a whiff of the scent and flee or stop feeding. The three species of bullhead catfish (brown, yellow, and black) occurring in Washington have a lobed tail. Also worth noting is that flathead catfish are occasionally reported in the Snake River in Washington. Walleye anglers love these same areas and sometimes catch cats by surprise on worm-walker rigs in deep water. 509-869-9694 steeldream@gmail.com Website | Facebook: View Profile: Pete's Fishing Guide Service. Action: Reduces the daily limit to one hatchery steelhead in the Snake River and requires release of steelhead 28 inches or greater in length downstream of the Couse Creek Boat Ramp. Many anglers fish at night with smelly meat baits and 20 pounders are common. Brown bullheads are extremely common in the lake, but there are decent numbers of channel cats, too. Snake River The Snake River originates in Wyoming and arcs across southern Idaho before turning north along the Idaho-Oregon border. George. Theres also a variety of premade catfish baits available at sporting goods stores and tackle shops. To show off this bountiful fishery, Kozfkay took a couple of young anglers fishing in theSnake River near Parma. The Hells Canyon National Recreation Area (HCNRA) straddles both sides of the Snake River in both Oregon and Idaho. In many Washington waters, channel catfish will actively pursue live bait, and they have a decided preference for bait that is fresh (not old and rotten as some seem to think). Some individuals will live 15-20 years, grow over 30 inches in length and weigh in excess of 30 pounds. First time catching a blue catfish, a channel catfish and a . Another major tributary of the Columbia River, the Yakima River twists and turns through 214 miles of Washington state until it merges with the Columbia in the city of Richland. First, the dollar value of recreation and the existence value of . This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Currently, a significant proportion ofNorthwest wheat farmers rely on Snake River barges to get their grain to market. Kozfkay says catfish are true omnivores and will eat anything in the river they can get their mouths around. Case in point: A 45-pound channel cat was hauled from Green Lake in 2018. Hot Shots, Wiggle Warts, Hot Lip Express, and Hog Boss plugs are among the consistent strike-getters. Fort Boise Wildlife Management Area: Located near Parma, there are several access points to the Snake River and Lower Boise River and nearby islands where catfish are abundant. These opportunistic feeders cruise shallow reed-lined edges looking for forage at night. Theyre very comfortable in rivers, Kozfkay said. Many anglers fish at night with smelly meat baits and 20 pounders are common. Contact us at (888) 548-8896 (Tollfree) or email: fishhawk7@hotmail.com September 22, 2022 by Brent Pollock. Trolling for steelhead is also productive in the reservoirs, and the fishing is at least as good during the night as in the daylight hours. Because of the private property and the proliferation of reeds along the shoreline, bank fishing is essentially limited to the boat launch area. Expect those flows for the next couple months of the winter season. Channel catfish are the only established catfish species in Washington with a forked tail. Fish are a good source of protein, vitamins, minerals and Omega-3 fatty acids.". Fisheries biologist Joe Kozfkay is comfortable in sayingtheres over a million catfish in the Snake River, CJ Strike, and Brownlee. Use pikeminnow, panfish or other fish as bait for the whiskered catfish, which are popular to eat when breaded and fried. Fishing for catfish in Washington seems to always be on the back burner for most anglers. These are the primary areas in the state where established river-loving channel catfish populations are self-sustaining. Catfish will find your bait pretty quickly if theyre feeding, so if you go 10 or 15 minutes without a bite, move to another spot. Imagine no more, because this place actually exists, and its only minutes from Idahos most populous region. Catfish are also available in many of the Snake River's tributaries, including the Weiser, Payette and Boise Rivers, typically in the lower stretches. smallmouth bass have lived in the river for 100 years, and there's lots of them. CLACKAMAS, Ore. - Fishery managers from Oregon and Washington adopted recreational spring Chinook seasons for the Columbia River during a joint state hearing today. The Columbia River is one of the main places in the state where channel cats reproduce naturally, unsupported by stocking. For the entire list of 45 channel catfish locations, please visit the WDFWs website. While we mostly drank beer and told . Starting at Priest Rapids Dam, the 26,273 acre reservoir stretches south to McNary Dam and also includes 8 miles of the Snake River until Ice Harbor Dam. -112.9508333. You can see Health and Welfare's consumption advisory here. People should balance that advisorywith the healthbenefits of eating fish, and Health and Welfare also states "Eating fish on a regular basis can be beneficial to both adults and children. Some of the better sturgeon holes are located immediately downstream of Clarkston, but remember this part of the river is catch and release only. Cut bait is a great option here, and a lot of locals swear by locally caught suckers for channel catfish bait. These dams were built and operated by the US Army Corp of Engineers. Overnight accommodations at Garden Creek Ranch located deep in . It also supports a vibrant recreation industry. Dam removal would also eliminate a growing flood risk in the town of Lewiston, Idaho, where sediment ispiling up behind Lower Granite Dam, the uppermost of the four lower Snake River dams. Most of the fish weigh 1 to 2 pounds but it's not rare to find some larger bass in the 4 to 5 lb. Washington, Idaho and Oregon in the Pacific Northwest has the best sturgeon fishing in the world! The first thing youll notice about Lake St. Clair is its odd shape. The 4 dams include Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Lower Granite, and Little Goose. Snake River Angler Fly Fishing Report for February 14th, 2023. There are many options for bait, and you might start with a common nightcrawler. A good basic set up is the sliding sinker rig' that Fish and Game requires for sturgeon anglers. Its a tasty tradition, and most people have eaten catfish at one time or another. Many catfish anglers continue to fish here from shore at night throughout the spring and summer months. Lake Lowell: consistent stocking has produced a great fishery especially during late June and July. Madame Dorion Memorial Park provides boat launch facilities, ample bank access and free campsites alongside the river near its mouth. From Lower Granite Dam to the Oregon border The highest point above the Snake River is He Devil Mountain in Idaho, a bit less than 7,900 feet above the water and 6 miles away. There is no size or catch limit for channel catfish in Lake Wallula or any of the tributaries feeding into it. As they grow, their coloration may darken and the spots will become less distinct. Located in the heart of the Columbia Basin shrubsteppe region, the 21,200-acre wildlife area is made up of 15 units, spread out across Yakima . 509-521-7141 thepresz@frontier.com Almost without exception, the best bait to tempt catfish is cut bait, especially suckers and minnows that are native to local waters, and thus familiar to the catfish that live there. The best time to fish Swofford Pond is spring, before the inevitable growth of lily pads that encircle the shore. Work your way along the edges casting out away from the weeds. Whether youre out to shatter a record or not, Green Lake is a fun place to fish, with an abundance of easy shore access right in the city. There once was a time when the Snake river was a free flowing river form source to sea. Kozfkay noted the fish are very migratory and move in and out of reservoirs, so you may have to move around to find them. Of course, the state record catfish was caught from that very dock, so its definitely worth a cast or two. Theres also a variety of premade catfish baits available at sporting goods stores and tackle shops. Channel cats average about 4 to 6 pounds and lots of them range above 10 pounds. Chamna Natural Preserve offers a parking area with access to a meandering network of hike-and bike trails, many of which lead right down to the water. Between the 1950's-1980's, the USACE started the Lower Snake River Project with the construction of four dams in eastern Washington, bringing the total number of dams on the Snake River to 15. Hold them tightly near the head to avoid the spines on the front of each pectoral fin and the leading edge of the dorsal fin. Columbia County: To the southwest, rural county with good stocked trout and access to Snake River salmon, bass, catfish and more. Once spawning is over, however, most catfish retreat to deeper water, and only return to the shallows to feed under the cover of darkness. The 216-acre Swofford Pond is dwarfed by neighboring Riffe Lakethe two bodies of water are connected by water that spills under the roadand as a result is often overlooked. Snake River Crappie thanks for the picture Cajun Chris. Location: Regulatory Reach 1 - From the . To the southeast, on the other end of the lake, is Liberty Lake Regional Park. A sliding egg sinker above a three way swivel with one short and one long leader tipped with an octopus circle hook is as simple as it gets. You dont need a whole tackle box full of lures and baits, you just need some large bait hooks (4/0 circle hooks work really well), some swivels, and some pyramid weights. Anglers fishing with nightcrawlers are likely to enjoy a mixed catch that could include channel cats along with a few other species. Washington, and an office in Hood River, Oregon. Marsing: Theres a boat launch and city park near the Idaho 55 bridge that provides good access to the Snake River. The state record (22.7 pounds) was caught here in 1981, but more recent catches are rarer in this section that farther upstream into . Water levels fluctuate in this reservoir to meet irrigation needs which consequently influences fishing. The 2023 forecast for upriver spring Chinook is 198,600 fish, slightly more than the 185,209 that returned to the Columbia River in 2022, and significantly higher than the 10-year . Most of the lake is accessible for shoreline angling. As other river and water management settlements aroundthe West have demonstrated, it takes hard work to chart out a win-win solution, but such outcomes canbe and have been achieved. Name calling, negative, harassing, or threatening comments will be removed and may result in suspension or IP Ban without . And much like the Columbia, dams up and down the lower Snake divide the river into a series of reservoirs in which catfish thrive. Take Snake River Road out of Clarkston to drive along the Snakes west bank all the way to the mouth of the Grande Ronde. Jake said, "Currently, there is still good Steelhead fishing left and Walleye Season is coming up so get your . Fishing for catfish can be pretty simple. The river runs for over a thousand miles, bisecting Hells Canyon on its way to the Columbia River. The lake is located within Lake Terrell State Game Refuge, and its shoreline is completely undeveloped and inaccessible aside from the state boat launch on the south shore, which has a small public fishing dock. We fish the Snake River year around and access the Heller Bar area for most trips. Its a good set up for catfish as well, and reduces the chances of lost tackle becoming hazardous to fish and wildlife. Lake Hebert West, Lake Bryan, and Lower Granite Lake, the reservoirs behing the three dams on this stretch, offer very good lake smallmouth bass fishing. The Yakima and Walla Walla River confluences also join the Columbia within this region. Snake River Fishing: Guided trips for Steelhead fishing, Chinook Salmon fishing, Sturgeon fishing, Smallmouth Bass fishing, and Channel Catfish fishing. FishingDuo.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Owyhee River. The daily limit for catfish is 5 with no minimum size. Bullheads are abundant throughout much of the river, especially in backwaters, but theres also a substantial and seemingly increasing population of channel catfish in the main river. As darkness approaches, progressively move your bait into shallow water. Thus, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife stocks many lakes throughout the state to provide this opportunities for this popular fish, both "dinner-size" and trophy. Its been stocked heavily with channel catfish, and is also known for bass and panfish. Exit Yelm Hwy SE onto Rehklau Rd SE and drive 0.9 miles to the St. Clair Boat Ramps. Plus, with a bit of cornmeal and just the right seasoning, no fish makes a better meal. Raising the levees could costtaxpayers up to $87 million and would further wall the city off from its riverfront. Local anglers often catch a mixed bag of channel cats and brown bullhead using chicken livers. From fishing to jet boating, the Snake River offers a bounty of adventure possibilities. Locations, Effective dates, and Rules: 1.Snake River from the mouth (Burbank to Pasco railroad bridge at Snake River mile 1.25) to Lower Granite dam: Immediately through Oct. 31, 2022: Open 7 days/week. Catfish will find your bait pretty quickly if theyre feeding, so if you go 10 or 15 minutes without a bite, move to another spot. Situated in Thurston County, St. Clair Lake is one of the most uniquely shaped lakes on this list. The Snake River has smallmouth bass, catfish, walleye, and northern pike. If you have questions, would like to learn more about recovery efforts in your watershed, or would like to get involved directly, please contact: West Coast Region - Interior Columbia Basin Area Office. The river plunges through huge rapids as it loses . Species: The first dam was constructed on the Snake River in 1901. Channel catfish are stocked in this lake and you can expect 2-5 year old fish to be in the 16-24 inch range with fish up to 20 pounds possible. This reservoir may be shallow at times. Be sure to change the bait as sturgeon prefer smelt, herring, and pieces of eel. In lowland lakes, channel catfish are not known to spawn and require regular stocking to maintain recreational fisheries. Your best bets for Columbia River channel cats are Lake Umatilla (from John Day Dam upstream to McNary Dam) and Lake Wallula (from McNary Dam upstream to Priest Rapids Dam). Smelly baits on the bottom work best but cats are known to strike bass gear, spinners, plugs and top-water baits since they are opportunist/forage feeders. Channel catfish are widespread throughout the West. Fisheries biologist Joe Kozfkay is comfortable in saying there's over a million catfish in the Snake River, CJ Strike, and Brownlee. Again, the daily limit is 5 so go ahead and catch enough for a fish fry. Modified versions of the catfish techniques can be used on the sturgeon, the real monsters of the Snake. Additional fishing days may be added after an in-season update of the expected upriver spring Chinook run size in mid-May. And while shore access is excellent along the lower Yakima River, there are also a lot of prime catfish spots that can only be reached by boat. Cats love a break in the current where they can rest. Phone: 208.882.6148. But experiment with different bait, such as shrimp, cutbait from any oily fish such as carp, sucker or pikeminnow. This 706-acre lake is located just a few miles from Spokane, and its one of the most popular fishing destinations for the citys anglers. Hailing as the deepest canyon in North America, yes even deeper than the Grand Canyon, this river canyon doesn't disappoint . Home; Visit; Snake River Vista Recreation Site; Snake River Vista Recreation Site . With so much water to choose from, the real challenge tends to be finding fish. Stay overnight to gain access to their boat launch and shore fishing areas. You get a little bit of everything if you spend the time doing a little investigation on this section of the Snake River. More than two million wildsalmon and steelhead once returned to spawn in the Snake and its tributaries each year. Day 2: Is there such thing as a catfish grand slam in freshwater fishing? Snake River Near Clarkston is located in Whitman County in Washington. Lake Coeur D'Alene. Catfishing doesn't have a strong tradition in Idaho, but it could. From the confluence, the flood waters then went west into the Pasco Basin and east (upriver) to Lewiston, Idaho. Idaho's state record for channel catfish was taken by Lewiston's Lorraine Ravary in August 1975. The energy from thedams can be replaced through a combination of cost-effective energy efficiency, wind power, and otherclean energy sources. You just need some large bait hooks, some swivels, and some pyramid weights. Directions: Drive west from Pullman on Highway 194 to Almota and the part of the river immediately downstream from Lower Granite Dam. Only children under the age of 15, senior anglers and anglers with a disability and designated harvester companion card can fish. Find directions to Snake River, browse local businesses, landmarks, get current traffic estimates, road conditions, and more. Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Sockeye Salmon (Endangered Species), Small-Mouth Bass, Channel and Blue Catfish, Crappie, Yellow Perch, Carp and Rainbows Stink Creek exits Roses Lake 1,000 feet from the boat launch and passes through Dry Lake on its way to Lake Chelan just over the hill. Join the Duo to stay informed with trusted fishing advice! Make sure to check the current fishing regulations for any updates and special rules. "Adult channel cats are known to forage on an incredible variety of food organisms, including frogs, crawfish, clams, snails, worms, pond weeds, seeds, snakes and birds, in addition to the more traditional forage of fish and insects. Please, don't post reports in the forum. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife stocks catfish in lakes and ponds all over Washington. Imagine a river loaded with big fish that are eager to bite and put up a mean fight when hooked. Fishing is open year-round on St. Clair Lake and, unlike others on this list, targeting channel catfish is good year round, especially along some of the undeveloped shoreline! Conditions will have to be right - warm, calm and overcast - however, anglers can have some fun winter fishing days on the Snake without the summer traffic. There are many species of catfish, but they all seem subject to the same stereotype: they live in slow-moving, muddy rivers scavenging dead stuff from the bottom. So anglers should take note and fish for them in different places. The Snake River is the 13 th longest river in the United States . Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. While Riffe Lake is famous for landlocked coho salmon and chunky smallmouth bass, Swofford Pond is by far the better of the two. Only one of the four dams provides irrigation water, a small amouth that could continue to beaccessed by extending pumps into the free-flowing river. Though they seldom exceed a pound or two, bullheads can be a lot of fun to catch, especially for kids. They're commonly raised commercially and soldin restaurants. But catfish are dogged fighters, and theyre among the biggest, toughest fish in most of the lakes and rivers they call home. The Columbia and Snake Rivers are notorious for big catfish. Head a bit farther upstream, and youll find some of the best catfish angling in the stretch of river between Lower Monumental Dam and Little Goose Dam. As in other big-water steelhead fisheries throughout the Columbia/Snake system, trolling various diving plugs is a popular productive fishing method. The lake is open year-round except the waters southwest of the southwest tip of Harper Island is only open May 1- September 30 and the marsh at the southwest end of the lake, including Cow Creek to Danekas Road, is closed waters for all species. The best fishing is in the lowest stretch of the Walla Walla River, especially in springtime when channel cats from the Columbia River enter the Walla Walla River to spawn. Facilities: So anglers should fish for them in different places. In fact, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has also stocked channel cats in dozens of lakes. Fish in 15-20 feet of water in late summer and early fall as the cats are going to be below the thermocline in cooler water. The Snake River heads in and out of Oregon as it makes its way along the western Idaho border, before meeting up with the Columbia River in Washington. Even a heavy rod and tough line is put to the test after hooking into a big channel cat. Needless to say, the park is popular among local catfish anglers. Spring Chinook enter the river in March, followed by huge summer Chinook a few months later. 2023American Rivers, All Rights Reserved. Dam removal willrequire targeted upgrades to southeastern Washingtons rail, highway, and Columbia River bargesystems. Pacific Creek from its source to its confluence with the Snake River. Please note that special rules apply to this lake. Located in Southwestern Washingtons Lewis County, Swofford Pond has been abundantly stocked with catfish over the years. Lower and upper sections of the Columbia also harbor catfish, but not in the same concentrations as the middle reaches. . They really like river features with depth changes, velocity changes, and woody cover.. Some of the best catfish spots are the deep holes in the lower river, along with any area immediately downstream from a bridge abutment or similar current break. Plan to specifically target cats in June, July and August. Be careful when you go to grab and hold these fish as they have three sharp spines that will leave nasty cuts. Nearby cities include Peola, Rose Springs . The Snake River is a major river in the western United States, flowing through six states: Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Utah, and Nevada. It also has five floats on its south side, just for campers in its shoreline RV sites. The 233-acre lake was formed by a massive chunk of ice from a receding glacier, which eventually melted to form this somewhat blob-shaped lake with its many islands and channels. But anglers might want to rethink that because they are a big, fun fish to catch, and there are lots of them. Catfish make excellent table fare and many anglers consider catfish taken from cool, clean water to be the ultimate in piscatorial cuisine. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for . These are vast reservoirs that offer a lot of prime habitat, including deep holes and ledges where catfish thrive. Every $1 donated to American Rivers goes to fight for healthy rivers and clean water, everywhere, for everyone. Regulations may change from year to year, so make sure you consult the latest fishing regulations pamphlet for accurate information on the water you intend to fish. They thrive in slow-moving rivers and deep reservoirs and lakes. After youve caught several fish, you may notice fishing gets a little slower. Most days with normal water levels, our guides are able to catch 40-50 smallmouths per person. The best available science concludes that removing these outdated dams and restoring a free-flowinglower Snake River would allow for the restoration of healthy, fishable salmon and steelhead runs to thelargest potential block of healthy salmon habitat remaining in the lower 48 states. During the June catfish spawning season, the biggest catfish head toward the river mouths to spawn. The ability to camp near the river is a bonus. Catfish from the Snake River are alsotasty fish, buttheres a consumptionadvisory from Idaho Health and Welfare that recommends balance and moderation for catfish consumption, especially forchildren and pregnant or nursing women. Its unlikely youve caught all the catfish in the hole, its that the fish may recognizesomething is amiss in their world. Dropping some 8,000 feet from the top of the Seven Devils Mountains to the river bed, the granite and basalt cliffs create striking scenery that is not easy to forget. From fly-fishing to ice fishing or simply spending . . Baits of choice include worms, shrimp, liver, hotdogs and anything else smelly as catfish are scent-driven predators. From fishing to jet boating, the real snake river catfish washington tends to be the ultimate in piscatorial.! Liberty Lake Regional Park private property and the existence value of Granite dam experiment with different bait, a... Is Liberty Lake Regional Park fish may recognizesomething is amiss in their.! 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