Lewis River North Fork Fish Stocking
Cowlitz County, Washington · 1995–2026 on record
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Lewis River North Fork was last stocked June 1, 2026 with Chinook Salmon. Lewis River North Fork has 1,360 stocking records on file, spanning 1995–2026, with about 102,540,846 fish stocked over that period.
When Lewis River North Fork is stocked
Lewis River North Fork is typically stocked in spring, most often in April — 260 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Lewis River North Fork
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Cowlitz County, Washington.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Lewis River North Fork, they typically congregate in schools near public access points, boat ramps, or inlets for the first 24 to 48 hours while adjusting to natural water conditions.
Since Lewis River North Fork was last stocked June 1, 2026, anglers visiting within 1 to 2 weeks of a reported event generally experience the highest activity before fish disperse into deeper cover.
State Regulations & Licensing
- •Fishing License: A valid Washington freshwater fishing license is required for anglers age 16 and older.Purchase Washington license online →
- •Official Rules & Limits: Bag limits, bait restrictions, and seasonal boundaries are set by Washington fish & wildlife agency.Official Washington regulations guidebook →
- •Ethical Conservation: Use barbless hooks and keep fish submerged in water during unhooking.Trout Thermal Advisory: When water temperatures rise above 68°F (20°C), released trout face severe mortality from thermal exhaustion. Target warmwater species or fish early in the morning when lakes and streams warm up.
Recommended Tackle & Presentations
Techniques tailored to the species stocked in Lewis River North Fork:
Stocked Trout Tactics
Use light 4–6 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon line. Float scented dough bait (PowerBait) 12–18" off bottom using a sliding slip-sinker rig with a size 14–16 treble hook. For active casting, throw 1/16 to 1/8 oz inline spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster Tail) or small spoons (Kastmaster) along drop-offs.
Kokanee & Salmon Tactics
Troll small dodgers followed by micro-hoochies or wedding ring spinners tipped with shoepeg corn. Use downriggers or lead-core line to reach cooler thermocline depths (typically 20–50 ft in summer).
Chinook Salmon Profile Tips
A major sport and tribal fishery in Washington; trolled or jigged in Montana's larger reservoirs.
Steelhead Profile Tips
A prized winter and spring fishery in both states, known for powerful, sustained fights.
Recommended Tackle for Lewis River North Fork
Field-tested tackle and presentations matched to the species stocked here.
Berkley PowerBait Floating Trout Dough
Hatchery-raised trout are conditioned to pelleted scents; scented dough floated 12–18 inches off bottom consistently triggers strikes.
Panther Martin Classic Teardrop Inline Spinner
The heavy convex blade spins instantly upon retrieval, sending vibration through the water that triggers aggressive reaction bites along drop-offs.
Sliding Sinker & Treble Hook Rigging Kit
Sliding egg sinkers allow cautious trout to run with bait without feeling line drag, while size 14–16 treble hooks keep dough bait securely pinned.
Mack's Lure Classic Wedding Ring Spinner
A classic Western trolling lure designed to be tipped with shoepeg corn and run behind a dodger in deep thermoclines.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Lewis River North Fork, freshest activity first.
Blue Lake
12 miColumbia County · 2 species · 439 records
Last stocked June 2026
Spring Lake
12 miColumbia County · 2 species · 369 records
Last stocked June 2026
Rainbow Lake
12 miColumbia County · 2 species · 375 records
Last stocked June 2026
Watson Lake
10 miColumbia County · 1 species · 275 records
Last stocked June 2026
Curl Lake
9 miColumbia County · 1 species · 104 records
Last stocked June 2026
Deer Lake
11 miColumbia County · 1 species · 171 records
Last stocked May 2026
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 1, 2026 | Chinook Salmon | 48,880 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 2026 | Chinook Salmon | 25,525 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 2026 | Chinook Salmon | 25,525 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 27, 2026 | Steelhead | 22,669 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 27, 2026 | Steelhead | 25,857 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2026 | Steelhead | 52,893 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2026 | Steelhead | 62,510 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2026 | Steelhead | 30,496 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 27, 2026 | Steelhead | 29,988 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 2026 | Steelhead | 71,156 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 2026 | Steelhead | 69,960 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2026 | Steelhead | 10,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2026 | Steelhead | 10,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2026 | Steelhead | 10,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2026 | Steelhead | 10,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2026 | Steelhead | 10,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2026 | Steelhead | 10,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 8, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 161,902 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 8, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 21,196 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 8, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 181,809 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 8, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 13,416 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 8, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 20,322 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 8, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 212,404 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 8, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 15,056 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 16,516 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 20,674 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 55,888 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 209,295 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 300,510 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 262,391 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 19,626 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 20,928 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 94,200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 17,117 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 137,635 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 21,325 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 53,815 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 127,307 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 2, 2026 | Chinook Salmon | 44,058 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 2, 2026 | Chinook Salmon | 27,120 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 2, 2026 | Chinook Salmon | 32,623 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 2, 2026 | Chinook Salmon | 34,962 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 2, 2026 | Chinook Salmon | 31,931 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 2, 2026 | Chinook Salmon | 32,623 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 2, 2026 | Chinook Salmon | 34,553 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 2, 2026 | Chinook Salmon | 31,905 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 2, 2026 | Chinook Salmon | 28,803 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2, 2025 | Chinook Salmon | 8,948 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2, 2025 | Chinook Salmon | 8,953 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2, 2025 | Chinook Salmon | 179,407 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
The reporting agency did not include fish sizes for this water.
Showing 50 of 500 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Lewis River North Fork last stocked?
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Lewis River North Fork was last stocked June 1, 2026 with Chinook Salmon.
What fish species are stocked in Lewis River North Fork?
Lewis River North Fork is stocked with Chinook Salmon, Steelhead, and Coho Salmon.
What time of year is Lewis River North Fork stocked?
Lewis River North Fork is typically stocked in spring, most often in April.
How often is Lewis River North Fork stocked?
Lewis River North Fork has been stocked about 43 times a year — 1,360 recorded stockings between 1995 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Lewis River North Fork?
About 102,540,846 fish have been stocked in Lewis River North Fork across 1,360 recorded events since 1995, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Lewis River North Fork?
Yes, all anglers age 16 and older generally need a valid Washington freshwater fishing license. Always review current regulations from Washington fish & wildlife agency for site-specific rules, bag limits, or stamps.
How do you catch stocked trout in Lewis River North Fork?
Freshly stocked trout in Lewis River North Fork typically respond well to floating dough bait (such as PowerBait) floated 12–18 inches off bottom on light 4–6 lb leader, live nightcrawlers under a bobber, and small inline spinners or spoons retrieved along shorelines and drop-offs.