Rainbow Trout

If you're looking for some quality rainbow trout fishing in Southwest Washington, the Winlock area offers several options. While the Cowlitz River gets a lot of attention for salmon and steelhead, the smaller lakes and streams around Winlock hold decent populations of rainbows, particularly after stocking. Consider exploring Mayfield Lake or even some of the smaller tributaries of the Cowlitz. Spring and early summer are prime times, as the water warms and the trout become more active. Fall can also be productive as the trout feed heavily before winter. A local tip: check the WDFW stocking reports online before you go to find recently stocked lakes for the best chance of success. Remember to acquire your Washington fishing license. Some of the smaller lakes can be accessed from the bank, but a small boat or float tube will open up more fishing opportunities. Fish tend to be in the 10-14 inch range, but larger holdovers are possible.