Monday,  February 17 , 2025

Linkedin Pinterest
News / Sports / Outdoors

State phasing out early steelhead as winter runs become spring

In-basin stocks start to return this month and build through February and March

By Terry Otto, Columbian freelance outdoors writer
Published: January 18, 2025, 6:08am
success iconThis article is available exclusively to subscribers like you.
3 Photos
The Cowlitz River now only offers a later timed return of hatchery winter steelhead, since the early returning program was axed. Across southwest Washington the number of systems that still have early returning hatchery fish is shrinking.
The Cowlitz River now only offers a later timed return of hatchery winter steelhead, since the early returning program was axed. Across southwest Washington the number of systems that still have early returning hatchery fish is shrinking. (Photo courtesy of Fishing with Dave) Photo Gallery

Winter steelhead are returning to local rivers, and anglers are gearing up for the action.

The early returning hatchery-produced runs in Region 5 continue to be switched over to in-basin stocks that return later, and the number of rivers that will offer these early runs is shrinking.

The early returning stocks were mostly from a Chambers Creek origin, a stream near Lakewood.

Thank you for reading The Columbian.

Subscribe for only $99/year to get unlimited access.

Already a subscriber? Sign in right arrow icon
Loading...
Columbian freelance outdoors writer