Cowlitz River fishing guide

Public access & launches

Extensive public bank access along the Cowlitz River, computed from public land ownership and hydrography.

• Front Street Boat Launch
  Boat launch
• Al Helenberg Memorial Boat Launch
  Boat launch
• Cowlitz Trout HatcheryWashington Department of Fish and Wildlife
  Boat launch
• Barrier Dam Boat LaunchTacoma Power
  Boat launch
• Olequa CrossingWDFW
  Boat access
• I-5 BridgeWDFW
  Boat access
• Massey BarWDFW
  Boat access
• Wallace BarWDFW
  Fishing access
• Blue CreekWDFW
  Fishing access

Regulations

• All game fishLEWIS CO. · CRC (559)

  Season

  Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31

  Statewide min. size/daily limit.

• All speciesLEWIS CO. · CRC (559)

  Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement (CRSSE) required for salmon and steelhead fishing (ages 15 and older).

• All speciesCOWLITZ/LEWIS CO. · within a 100’ radius of the new Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery wheelchair ramp (within the posted fishing boundary) CRC (561)

  Open only to anglers with disabilities who have a designated harvester companion card. These anglers may fish within posted markers. Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement (CRSSE) required for salmon and steelhead fishing (ages 15 and older).

• All speciesCOWLITZ/LEWIS CO. · within a 100’ radius of the new Cowlitz Trout Hatchery outfall structure CRC (561)

  Two-Pole allowed. Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement (CRSSE) required for salmon and steelhead fishing (ages 15 and older). 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.

• All speciesCOWLITZ/LEWIS CO. · from Mill Creek to 400’ or posted markers below the Barrier Dam CRC (561)

  Season

  Apr. 1-Nov. 30

  Night closure. Anti-snagging rule.

• All speciesCOWLITZ/LEWIS CO. · from Mill Creek to 400’ or posted markers below the Barrier Dam CRC (561)

  Fishing from any floating device prohibited. Two-Pole allowed. Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement (CRSSE) required for salmon and steelhead fishing (ages 15 and older).

• All speciesCOWLITZ/LEWIS CO. · from Mill Creek to 400’ or posted markers below the Barrier Dam CRC (561)

  Season

  May 1-June 15

  Fishing from south side of river is prohibited.

• All speciesCOWLITZ/LEWIS CO. · from Lexington Bridge to Mill Creek CRC (561)

  Two-Pole allowed. Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement (CRSSE) required for salmon and steelhead fishing (ages 15 and older).

• All speciesCOWLITZ/LEWIS CO. · from boundary markers at mouth to Lexington Bridge CRC (561)

  Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement (CRSSE) required for salmon and steelhead fishing (ages 15 and older). Two-Pole allowed.

• All speciesCOWLITZ/LEWIS CO. · within a 100’ radius of the new Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery wheelchair ramp (within the posted fishing boundary) CRC (561)

  Season

  Apr. 1-Nov. 30

  Night closure.

As of 2026-08-28.Guidance, not legal advice — always confirm current rules with the state.Official Washington regulations

What’s in it

Recorded in/near this water. Occurrence-based unless a higher-confidence source is shown — see it per-species in the app.

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Cowlitz River fishing — FAQ