Poor weather slowed the bite at some of the lakes stocked for the Black Friday trout opener, although some anglers did well. Fishing should continue to be good for the plus-sized fall rainbows in lakes that were stocked.
White sturgeon retention is closed from Buoy 10 upstream to the Oregon/Washington Border above McNary Dam, but remains an option for catch-and-release fishing.
Walleye fishing has slowed considerably in the Columbia River. Crappie are biting in Silver Lake.
Salmon/Steelhead
From the Buoy 10 at the mouth of the Columbia upstream to the Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco is closed to angling for and retention of salmon and steelhead.
Cowlitz River — I-5 Bridge downstream had eight bank rods had no catch. Two boats/five rods had no catch. Above the I-5 Bridge had four bank rods had no catch. Two boats/four rods released two coho.
Grays River — Four bank anglers released four coho and three coho jacks. One boat/three rods released three coho.
Elochoman River — Three bank anglers kept one steelhead, one coho jack and released one steelhead and one coho jack.
Kalama River — Twenty-four bank anglers had no catch.
East Fork Lewis River — six bank anglers had no catch.
Salmon Creek — 15 bank anglers had no catch.
Black Friday trout fishing
Rowland Lake — Trout fishing was a little slow this year on Black Friday, although most anglers that stuck with it did eventually land limits of big rainbow trout. Fishing had slowed by Saturday.
Trolling 2.0 Maglips worked well at Rowland Lake, according to Buzz Ramsey of Yakima Bait. He also reported that bank anglers did take some fish with Powerbait and spinners.
Klineline Pond — The big trout in Klineline have been clustering in shallow water just to the south of the swimming beach. Fishermen have been catching them on a variety of baits and small lures. Anglers fishing other spots on the lake are catching very few fish.
Battle Ground Lake — Boat anglers have been doing fairly well fishing in the deepest part of the lake, and a few anglers have done well off the dock. Bank anglers are catching very few fish.
Sturgeon
Bonneville Pool — Closed for retention. Weekly checking showed 14 sublegal sturgeon released for one boat (three anglers).
The Dalles Pool — Closed for retention. Weekly checking showed 12 sublegal and three legal white sturgeon released for one boat (four anglers).
Walleye
The Dalles Pool — Weekly checking showed two walleye kept, plus one walleye released for three boats (six anglers).
