Eastern Washington Fly Fishing

The eastern part of the state of Washington has some of the best fly fishing in the country. Streams and lakes in this region often produce rainbow trout as well as other preferred fish species.

  1. Significance

    • Eastern Washington fly fishing is considered to be one of the best areas in the country to fly fish. Fly fishing in eastern Washington is considered so good because of the cool, clean waters of the Columbia River and its tributaries.

    Columbia River

    • Fly fishing is the best way to catch salmon on the Columbia River. Other kinds of fish caught on the Columbia River include smelt, trout, sturgeon, shad and walleye.

    Steelheads

    • Eastern Washington has become famous for fly fishing for steelheads. Steelheads are essentially rainbow trout that have returned to freshwater after adapting to saltwater.

    Methow Valley

    • The Methow Valley is one of the top fishing spots in eastern Washington. Fly fishing in the Methow Valley is ideal for freshwater trout in the spring and summer and steelhead in the fall and winter.

    Lake Fishing

    • Eastern Washington fly fishing on a lake is a good way to catch bass, crappie, lake trout, and bluegill.

    Licenses and Regulations

    • Fishing in Eastern Washington requires a license. The annual freshwater license in Washington costs $24 for an in state resident and $48 for an out of state resident, as of April 2010. The cost for a resident senior (age 70+) is $6. Regulations in Eastern Washinton include the opening of all state streams on the first Saturday in June and the procedure regarding the measuring of sturgeon from nose to tail.