When it comes to water-based recreation, the opportunities in Cowlitz County are virtually endless. There’s flyfishing in 100 alpine lakes in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and the chance to wet a line in dozens of mountain streams, rivers and tributaries that teem with salmon, steelhead and trout. Numerous lakes and reservoirs provide additional access to fish and fun. Kayak or canoe in the tidal estuaries on the Lower Columbia, taking in the wealth of nature and wildlife on the Great River of the West. Jump waves and wakes with the jet skiers on the lakes, rivers and reservoirs. Take flight with sailboarders on the Columbia, west of County Line Park. Whether your favorite activity is tubing, water skiing, sailing, boating, rafting down the Toutle or Cowlitz rivers on a warm summer day, or soaking up the sun at one of the county’s many swimming spots, we have it all. Southwest Washington offers more than 30 launch sites for anglers, water skiers, jet skiers and boaters. Public launches are available on the Cowlitz, Kalama, Lewis, and Columbia rivers, as well as at Silver and Kress lakes and Yale and Swift reservoirs.
If you’re a fisherman, Southwest Washington is paradise, with streams, rivers and lakes holding a staggering array of fish stocks. No matter the time of year, there’s always a fish biting somewhere. The Cowlitz, Lewis, Toutle and Kalama rivers are among the most revered steelhead streams in the Northwest. The Columbia offers reliable salmon and sturgeon runs. Try your luck with kokanee at Yale Reservoir, tiger muskies and coho at Merwin Reservoir, and rainbow trout at Swift Reservoir. Silver Lake delivers excellent fishing for large mouth bass and is also a great spot to go after perch, bluegill and crappie. Kelso, once known as the smelt capital of the world, is an annual destination for hearty dip netters who wade into the Cowlitz River after their silvery prey. Stop at Drew’s Grocery in Toutle to find out what’s biting and where.
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