VERNITA/HANFORD REACH

The Hanford Reach is the nation's last, non-tidal, free-flowing segment of the Columbia River. Large numbers of fall chinook salmon spawn in the Hanford Reach which makes for fantastic fishing if you know where to look. Sunfish and perch can be found, although they are more common in McNary Reservoir, but smallmouth bass are abundant in the Hanford Reach. The ponds and lakes created by irrigation run-off also have populations of carp, bass, sunfish and panfish.

LAKE ROOSEVELT

Lake Roosevelt is known as the "pit stop" for campers, fisherman, hunters and others who use the lake.The Park Service and Forest Service officials work to cooperatively create the best possible experience for our outdoor enthusiasts. If you are ready for an exhilarating adventure, Lake Roosevelt near Kettle Falls is the place to find it.

BUOY 10

When it comes to salmon fishing in the Pacific Northwest, it’s the Columbia River that produces the most for sport anglers. And, of the three major runs of salmon returning to the Columbia, it’s the fall run that can number a million strong and draw anglers from around the globe to share in the bounty. At the Columbia River mouth, often referred to as “Buoy 10”, you can catch a limit of hard-fighting salmon fresh from the Pacific Ocean. The season runs during August and September.
All five species of salmon are big with Chinook and Coho likely the ones you’ll catch at “Buoy 10”.

(1) Tri-Cities / Hanford / Vernita - Fall Chinook
(2) Buoy 10: Oregon / Washington - Coastal Chinook
(3) Lake Roosevelt - Kokanee and Rainbow Trout (4) Banks Lake - Walleye
(5) Wenatchee - Sturgeon, Sockeye and Chinook Salmon