Freshwater Fishing Top Fishing Spots

Snake River in Washington Fishing Maps and Hot Spots

Washington snake river steelhead

The Snake River in Washington starts at the Washington-Idaho-Oregon tri-State border and runs 36 miles north to join the Clearwater River. It then runs another 130 miles southwest until it empties into Columbia River. Traditionally, the 130 mile stretch from Clearwater to the Columbia is the “Washington Snake”, but I’m also including the 36 mile stretch of the Snake River shared between Washington State and Idaho.

The Snake River in Washington state is one of most productive fisheries along the river’s entire length. From lunker spring Walleye at Lyons Ferry to prehistoric sturgeon in the tailrace waters of Ice Harbor, Little Goose and Lower Monumental dams, Washington’s Snake River offers a cornucopia of fishing opportunity and adventure for the avid and beginner angler alike.

The key to unlocking the river’s angling potential is knowing when and where to fish. The fishing map below shows some of the more popular fishing spots among local anglers as well as few places where I’ve personally had success.

snake river Washington fishing map

Map of top fishing spots along the Snake River in Washington State

Popular Fishing Spots on the Washington Snake River

All in all, Washington Snake River is one of the most productive and dependable fisheries in the Northwest, but as any seasoned angler knows all to well, no river puts out all the time. The key to increasing your chances of a good catch is to make sure you’re at the right spot at the right time.

Luckily, most of the Snake River in Washington from the tri-cities area downstream to where it joins the Columbia is going to have a decent number of fish per square mile. However, based on personal experience and angler reports, the following locations offer the best overall fishing opportunity based on accessibility and catch rate.

Lower Granite Reservoir

The Lower Granite Reservoir—also referred to as the Lower Granite Lake—extends from the Lower Granite Lake Dam upstream about 9 miles before gradually giving way to the Snake river that feeds it from the east. It offers a diverse habitat and ecosystem of aquatic life, vegetation and submerged structure that supports a thriving population of bass, walleye and panfish.

snake river smallmouth bass

Smallmouth bass catch near Lower Granite on Washington’s Snake River.

The popularity of this stretch of the river is driven by abundant game fish species as well as it accessibility. There’s typically plenty of parking and several public boat launches available year round. And while the size of the river necessitates using a boat if you really want to maximize your catch rate, there is ample shoreline fishing along this stretch that always seems to produce catches—especially at the mouth of inlets and outlets.

Things to know about fishing Lower Granite Reservoir.

  • Fish species: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish
  • Fishing techniques: Fishing from boat is most productive; for bass Texas-rigged soft plastics or worms; live bait and jigs for walleye; worms, chicken liver, live bait for catchfish
  • Accessibility: Several boat launches and ample parking

Just remember, popularity has its price. If you’re looking for a quite, serene local away from the crowds to wet your line and relax, this may not be it—especially on a Saturday afternoon during peak. Fishing pressure can be a bit high during certain times of the year.

You’ll also find some sturgeon, salmon and steelhead at Lower Granite, but bass, walleye and catfish are going to be hitting your line ninety percent of the time.

Little Goose Reservoir

Follow the Snake 35 miles downstream from Lower Granite and you’ll run into Little Goose Reservoir. At first sight Little Goose isn’t as awe inspiring as its bigger sister upstream, but this section of Washington’s Snake River has some surprises. It’s probably one of the best stretches for walleye fishing. Its deep waters support an abundant schools of bait fish, which in turn support a healthy population of walleye.

Walleye catch near Little Goose Reservoir snake river

Walleye catch near Little Goose Reservoir on Washington’s Snake River.

Little Goose provides some good shoreline access, but boating is still where it’s at. You’ll catch fish from shore, but you’ll want to get on the bigger water if trophy walleye are on the menu. Several boat launches offer easy access to the lake. There’s ample parking, but again, during peak season it gets tight.

Things to know about fishing Lower Goose Reservoir.

  • Fish species: Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Channel Cats, Crappie
  • Fishing techniques: For walleye trolling with crankbaits and spinners, jigging near structure; Texas-rigged plastics to get the bass; jigs and worms for crappie
  • Accessibility: Limited shoreline access, multiple boat ramps, ample parking (unless it’s busy)
“Lake Herbert”

The reservoir formed by Lower Monumental Dam extending up the Snake River to the tailwater of the Little Goose Dam is loosely referred to as “Lake Herbert”. This 28 mile stretch of the Snake provides a prolific fishery and excellent angling opportunity. Shore access is spotty and it’s best fished by boat.

Map of fishing locations on Snake Rivers Lake Herbert.

Map of top fishing spots along on Washington’s Lake Herbert on the Snake River.

The area right around Lyons Ferry State Park leading to Palouse River offers some good access and you’ll find fish throughout these waters. If you’re here to fish for giant walleye—which seems to draw most anglers—you’ll want to target the deeper water in the main channel.

Fished here once, and it’s probably my favorite spot. It’s not just a good fishery, it’s fishing experience like no other if you plan ahead. A couple times a year walleye migrate from the Snake into the Palouse and Tucannon Rivers to spawn and it can be a fishing bonanza if you time it right.

If you’re after walleye, June through August is when you want to be on Lake Herbert.

Things to know about fishing Lake Herbert.

  • Fish species: Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Channel Cats, Crappie; Twice a year walleye migrations
  • Fishing techniques: For walleye trolling with crankbaits and spinners, jigging near structure; Texas-rigged plastics to get the bass; jigs and worms for crappie
  • Accessibility: Limited shore access; Best fished by boat
Lower Monument Dam Tailrace

The waters from the Columbia river up to Lower Monument Dam are where you’ll find consistent steelhead. The bulk of steelhead action takes place downstream from the Lower Monument Dam during the months of October, November and December. Fishing and trolling diving plugs tends to be productive.

Ice Harbor Dam Tailrace

Contrary to its name, things are “reeling” hot on Ice Harbor Dam Tailrace (pun intended). Honestly, I wouldn’t say Ice Harbor is the best fishery on the Washington Snake, but this is where you’ll find the massive salmon and steelhead—especially during migration.

Steelhead trout catch in tailrace water of Ice Harbor Dam on the snake river.

The water here flows a bit faster than upstream and you really need some heavy tackle to make a go of it. The faster flowing water also requires a little more finesse and work. Ice Harbor tailrace isn’t the best spot along the river to cut one’s teeth, but if you know what you’re doing you can reel in some trophy catches here.

Things to know about fishing Lower Granite Reservoir.

  • Fish species: Chinook Salmon, Steelhead, Bass
  • Fishing techniques: Drift fishing with spoons or plugs; cast crankbaits and bounce leadheads along the bottom for smallmouth
  • Tackle: Heavy tackle needed to effectively fish the current
  • Accessibility: A few spots to fish from bank, limited parking and access
Heller Bar

A bit out of the way for some anglers, but certainly worth the trip if you’re interested in hooking a giant sturgeon or doing some steelhead fishing.

Sturgeon fishing along the Heller Bar stretch of the Snake is an adventure. These monsters can reach up to 10 feet long and an average catch is between 6 and 8 feet. These bad boys put up quite a fight and will leave you a story you’ll pass on to your kids.

angler shore fishing for sturgeon at heller bar on the snake river

Angler wade fishing for sturgeon with a long rod at Heller Bar on the Snake River.

Fishing season for sturgeon is year round but the best time to pursue this fish at Heller Bar is during the Spring (Apr-May) and late Fall (Oct-Nov). Sturgeon fishing at Heller Bar should be on the bucket list of any die-hard angler.

If you want to fish for steelhead, upstream from Heller Bar there is a good spot at the mouth of the Grande Ronde. No boat required. You can fish from shore. There are also a few good spots to fish steelhead downstream from Grande Ronde before you get to Heller Bar.

  • Fish species: Sturgeon, Steelhead, Smallmouth Bass
  • Fishing techniques:Side-drifting an back-trolling from boat; drifting; bottom fishing; flipping crankbaits or soft plastics for bass
  • Accessibility: A few spots to fish from bank, limited parking and access

The Heller Bar section of the Snake River is different than the rest of the snake in that it’s the only free-flowing section where the river flows naturally without an human-made changes to water flow.

From Clarkston to the Columbia there are four man-made dams that obstruct the natural flow of waters. It’s not to say that the free-flowing section the river is better for fishing than the other, only that each provides a different ecosystem and experience. Heller Bar certainly provides a unique fishing experience.

Lyons Ferry

When it comes to walleye, Lyons Ferry gives Little Goose a run for the money. Walleye season is year-round, but early spring through late summer (Mar-Aug) is prime time for walleye fishing. Lyons Ferry walleye range from 2 to 15 pounds, and there are reports of 17 pound lunkers being pulled from these waters.

During early Spring and late Fall walleye are in full spawn and can be found in the flats. During the summer, you’ll find them in deeper water just off points, ledges and bars.

Clarkston

The Clearwater River is renowned for its steelhead fishing. Any angler in the area will tell you on a good year it’s one of the best steelhead fishing spots on the planet. No surprise that anglers flock to Clarkston every year to participate in the annual steelhead migration in late Fall.

But don’t just come from the steelhead, the Chinook Salmon along this stretch of the Snake are nothing to balk at.

Fish Species You’ll Find In Washington’s Snake River

The Snake River in Washington State offers diverse and varied habit that supports a variety of fish species. While all these fish are found along the river, there distribution can vary greatly by location. The following are the most popular catches Washington’s Snake and when and where you’re most likely to find them.

Walleye

Walleye are found from the tailwater of Good Dam downstream to where the Snake River empties into the Columbia River. While not as numerous as in other systems, walleye in the Snake River tend to grow larger. Some of the best fishing for walleye is found on Lake Herbert near Lyons Ferry between June and August.

Chinook Salmon

During certain times of the year Chinook Salmon are abundant at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers. Salmon will often accumulate in this area until waters cool in late September before continuing their migration upstream. Salmon fishing gets under way in September but often doesn’t pick up until October.

Steelhead

Steelhead favor deeper water and fast currents. Spring and Fall are peak seasons for fishing steelhead along the Snake. The best steelhead fishing occurs between October and early November.

A few of the best locations to fish steelhead on Washington’s Snake River are Lyons Ferry and Lower Monument Pool, and anywhere from Lewiston to Lower Granite. There are a few good spots to fish from shore near Steptoe Canyon.

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass are prolific throughout Washington’s Snake River. All the way from Grande Ronde down to Lyon Ferry anglers report strong catches, and you’ll find them from Lyons Ferry downstream through the major reservoirs as you approach the Columbia. Summer and Fall when water temperatures still relative warm are prime times for bass fishing.

Largemouth Bass

Not a lot of reports on Largemouth bass populations or catches along the Washington section of the Snake River. They’re certainly not as prolific as Smallmouths. You’ll find some largemouths in slow moving water where there is ample vegetation and cover.

Channel Catfish

You’ll find channel cats in just about every deep pool or area where there is slow current. These are bottom-dwellers, so if Channel Cat is the target, keep your bait on or near the bottom. Channel cats are most active during the summer and fall.

Rainbow Trout

You’ll find rainbow trout in many of the same areas as steelhead, but they’re found in a broader range of habitats throughout the Snake River. There is a lot of good rainbow trout fishing in the ponds and lakes along the Snake.

Disclaimer: In the spirit complete transparency, let me share that I’ve only fished the Washington stretch of the snake a couple times in my life, so I leaned on the experience and knowledge from more experienced anglers who regularly fish this stretch of the river in order to provide a more comprehensive and accurate report.

Mark (Chance) Allen was raised around the mountains of Utah. Camping, hunting, fishing and outdoors sports have been a life long passion—and something he loves to share with family and friends. Chance.... read more
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