The Lewis River offers a compact yet highly productive fishery in Southwest Washington. Flowing from the southwest slopes of Mount Adams, the river first enters Yale Lake before continuing downstream into Merwin Lake. At Merwin Dam, the fishable portion of the Lewis begins. From that point, the river runs approximately fifteen miles before reaching its confluence with the Columbia River just outside Woodland, Washington. Because of this short, concentrated stretch, anglers can efficiently target multiple holding areas in a single day.
In addition, it supports solid runs of winter steelhead, fall Chinook, winter Chinook, and coho salmon. Two hatcheries, along with multiple net pen programs, contribute to consistent returns of hatchery fish each year. As a result, the Lewis provides reliable fishing opportunities across several seasons.
We focus most of our effort on the Lewis during spring and early summer. At that time, strong runs of spring Chinook and summer steelhead enter the river, with numbers sometimes reaching or exceeding 10,000 fish. Consequently, anglers experience some of the most exciting and powerful battles of the year. Spring Chinook in particular offer aggressive takes and long, determined runs that test both gear and technique.
The Lewis River has earned a strong reputation for its excellent spring Chinook and summer steelhead returns.
Because the river remains relatively small, it offers flexible access. Anglers can fish effectively from drift boats, jet boats, or from the bank at key locations. Therefore, the Lewis suits a wide range of fishing styles and experience levels. However, covering water efficiently often proves critical, especially when targeting migrating Chinook.
For that reason, we typically fish the Lewis from our 25-foot Alumaweld Super Vee. This boat allows us to move quickly between productive stretches while maintaining excellent control in current. Additionally, it supports techniques specifically tailored to spring Chinook fishing, including controlled trolling and precise boat positioning.
Ultimately, the Lewis River combines accessibility, strong fish returns, and varied fishing methods into one exceptional fishery. Because I guide this river regularly, I adapt each trip to flow conditions, run timing, and angler goals. Whether targeting hard-fighting Chinook or acrobatic steelhead, the Lewis consistently delivers memorable fishing experiences in Southwest Washington.
If you are interested in fishing with Anglers Guide Service contact us today.