Washougal River Fish Stocking
Clark County, Washington · 1995–2026 on record
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Washougal River was last stocked June 1, 2026 with Chinook Salmon. Washougal River has 545 stocking records on file, spanning 1995–2026, with about 110,214,745 fish stocked over that period.
When Washougal River is stocked
Washougal River is typically stocked in spring, most often in April — 199 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Washougal River
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Clark County, Washington.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Washougal River, 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 Washougal River 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 Washougal River:
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 Washougal River
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 Washougal River, freshest activity first.
Battle Ground Lake
16 miClark County · 4 species · 546 records
Last stocked May 2026
Washougal North Fork
0 miClark County · 2 species · 114 records
Last stocked April 2026
Duncan Creek
18 mi2 species · 30 records
Last stocked April 2026
Lacamas Lake
3 miClark County · 4 species · 196 records
Last stocked April 2026
Weaver Creek
13 miMason County · 1 species · 87 records
Last stocked April 2026
Whipple Creek
21 miClark County · 1 species · 3 records
Last stocked June 2025
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 1, 2026 | Chinook Salmon | 102,142 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 2026 | Chinook Salmon | 35,168 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2026 | Chinook Salmon | 912,798 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 23, 2026 | Steelhead | 28,750 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 6, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 63,412 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 6, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 42,580 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 2025 | Chinook Salmon | 101,638 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 2025 | Chinook Salmon | 1,098,113 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 10, 2025 | Coho Salmon | 600 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2025 | Coho Salmon | 66,855 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2025 | Coho Salmon | 42,008 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2025 | Steelhead | 66,745 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2024 | Chinook Salmon | 1,102,283 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2024 | Chinook Salmon | 101,897 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2024 | Coho Salmon | 63,752 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2024 | Coho Salmon | 43,566 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2024 | Steelhead | 28,118 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2024 | Steelhead | 44,548 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2024 | Coho Salmon | 200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 2023 | Chinook Salmon | 132,734 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 2023 | Chinook Salmon | 98,222 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 2023 | Chinook Salmon | 956,018 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2023 | Coho Salmon | 400 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 2023 | Coho Salmon | 55,068 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 2023 | Coho Salmon | 44,950 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 2023 | Coho Salmon | 9,549 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2023 | Steelhead | 26,378 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 26, 2023 | Steelhead | 42,395 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 2022 | Chinook Salmon | 101,444 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 2022 | Chinook Salmon | 1,129,390 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 2022 | Coho Salmon | 58,478 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 2022 | Coho Salmon | 44,302 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2022 | Coho Salmon | 449 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| December 17, 2021 | Coho Salmon | 11 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 2021 | Chinook Salmon | 184,132 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2021 | Chinook Salmon | 102,215 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2021 | Chinook Salmon | 1,832,421 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2021 | Coho Salmon | 65,572 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2021 | Coho Salmon | 44,222 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2020 | Chinook Salmon | 1,802,681 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2020 | Chinook Salmon | 100,007 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 12, 2020 | Coho Salmon | 200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2020 | Steelhead | 4,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 2020 | Coho Salmon | 31,886 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 2020 | Coho Salmon | 54,355 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 2020 | Coho Salmon | 43,987 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 2019 | Chinook Salmon | 104,899 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 2019 | Chinook Salmon | 1,083,851 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 24, 2019 | Coho Salmon | 8,867 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 24, 2019 | Coho Salmon | 41,024 | 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 Washougal River last stocked?
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Washougal River was last stocked June 1, 2026 with Chinook Salmon.
What fish species are stocked in Washougal River?
Washougal River is stocked with Chinook Salmon, Steelhead, and Coho Salmon.
What time of year is Washougal River stocked?
Washougal River is typically stocked in spring, most often in April.
How often is Washougal River stocked?
Washougal River has been stocked about 17 times a year — 545 recorded stockings between 1995 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Washougal River?
About 110,214,745 fish have been stocked in Washougal River across 545 recorded events since 1995, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Washougal River?
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 Washougal River?
Freshly stocked trout in Washougal River 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.