What we fish · LeadHead Guide Service
Washington fisheries
Six runs, three species and a reason to be on the water every month of the year.
The full year
Steelhead
Acrobatic, hard-biting fish, and you hold the rod when they hit.
Winter steelhead
December to March on the Cowlitz and Grays Harbor tributaries.
Summer steelhead
June to August on the same water.
Salmon
Table-quality spring fish, the biggest salmon of the year in fall and fast coho action to finish.
Spring Chinook
March to June on the Columbia River and tributaries.
Fall Chinook
August and September on the Columbia, Grays Harbor and tributaries.
Coho
September to December, with Grays Harbor as our specialty.
Sturgeon
Catch and release for white sturgeon, year round.
Our program on the Columbia and tributaries averages 20 fish per trip.
Season guide
When to fish southwest Washington
Every month has something running. Here is how the year usually breaks down on the water we guide. Exact timing moves with river flows, ocean conditions and each year’s run size.
| Run | Peak months | Where we fish it | How we fish it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter steelhead | December to March | Cowlitz River, Grays Harbor tributaries | Bobber and jig, drift fishing, side drifting, plugs |
| Spring Chinook | March to June | Lower Columbia River, Cowlitz River | Back-trolling plugs, herring, drift fishing eggs |
| Summer steelhead | June to August | Cowlitz River | Bobber and jig, drift fishing, plugs |
| Fall Chinook | August to October | Columbia, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor | Trolling, back-bouncing, plugs |
| Coho | September to December | Grays Harbor rivers, Cowlitz River | Twitching jigs, spinners, bobber and eggs |
| White sturgeon | Year round | Lower Columbia River | Anchored bait fishing, catch and release |
Choosing a trip
Which fishery is right for you?
The best trip depends on when you can get away and what kind of day you want.
For steady action and kids
White sturgeon are the easiest way to put a big fish on the line, and the bite rarely shuts off. Our sturgeon program averages about 20 fish per trip, and plenty of them are bigger than the angler fighting them. It is catch and release, so the focus is the fight and the photo. See sturgeon trips.
For fish to take home
Hatchery spring Chinook are some of the best-eating salmon in the Northwest, and fall coho on the Grays Harbor rivers can mean limits on a good day. Check the current rules for hatchery and wild fish before you plan a freezer trip. See salmon trips.
For a challenge
Winter steelhead are the fish many Northwest anglers chase all season. They hit hard, jump and run, and every one feels earned. See steelhead trips.
Not sure?
Tell Beau your dates and he will put you on whatever is fishing best that week. Because LeadHead fishes three river systems, there is almost always a good option.
Seasons, limits and gear rules change from year to year and sometimes mid-season. Beau keeps up with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife rules for every trip, but you can always check the current pamphlet and emergency rules at wdfw.wa.gov.
Three river systems
Where LeadHead fishes
Each system fishes differently, and knowing where to go on a given day is a big part of what a local guide brings.
Cowlitz River
A Columbia River tributary with strong hatchery runs of steelhead and salmon. Most fishing happens between the Barrier Dam and Kelso. Cowlitz trips
Lower Columbia River
The largest river in the Pacific Northwest, home to giant white sturgeon year round and the spring and fall Chinook runs headed upstream. Sturgeon trips
Grays Harbor rivers
The Chehalis River and its tributaries drain into Grays Harbor and carry one of the best fall coho fisheries on the coast. Grays Harbor trips
Fisheries questions
What is the best month to fish in southwest Washington?
There is no bad month. December through March is prime for winter steelhead, spring Chinook peak in April and May, summer steelhead run June through August, coho fill the fall, and sturgeon bite all year.
Do I need a different license for each species?
You need a Washington fishing license for every trip, plus a catch record card for salmon, steelhead and sturgeon. Licenses are sold online through WDFW and at most sporting goods stores.
Not sure which run to fish?
Tell us your dates and we will put you on what is running.