Been like that on the Klick as long as I can remember. Most of WA's rivers close through the spring, the exception being those downstream of Bonneville.

 

It's been like that for as long as I can remember. At one point, there was a short whitefish season I think.

There is a very small run of winter steelhead that are barely hanging on that go up the river. As far as I know, that's the furthest up the Columbia winter steelhead swim. They're not as exciting as coastal winters as the Klickitat winters are very small from the ones I've incidentally caught in November.

The only thing you'd miss out on a little is springers. I believe it's closed above Fisher Hill to make hatchery escapement and the Yakamas have at them.

There may be other reasons for the closure, but you're not missing missing much during the closure.

 

It's been like that for as long as I can remember. At one point, there was a short whitefish season I think.

There is a very small run of winter steelhead that are barely hanging on that go up the river. As far as I know, that's the furthest up the Columbia winter steelhead swim. They're not as exciting as coastal winters as the Klickitat winters are very small from the ones I've incidentally caught in November.

The only thing you'd miss out on a little is springers. I believe it's closed above Fisher Hill to make hatchery escapement and the Yakamas have at them.

There may be other reasons for the closure, but you're not missing missing much during the closure.

Another thing: those summer runs get absolutely hammered during the fall. I think giving them a few months of respite before they spawn in the spring helps that river a lot. One of the many reasons I stopped going there a few years ago was that I kept catching steelhead that had obviously been caught and released already.

 

Yes you are correct, the river has a small winter steelhead run. However there are some large ones in there, Slow and Low landed a legit 18-20 about 7 or so years ago.

 

The last 4 years, at least for me, have been dismal for steelhead fishing. Early June is when I could usually find fish in the lower river. Then after that, focus on the upper river. Which by the way, is one of the most scenic floats you will ever do. In my opinion there used to be a lot of fish in the river, would get a dozen chances a float....... on a fly rod, none the less.

I'm getting old and lazy. If I cant scratch one out in 4-5 trips, early June or July, I won't even bother going after steelhead upriver. Just wait for the Coho to show up, which is quite fun.

 

Get a hold of Tracy Zoeller, if you want to learn about the Klickitat river. He owns a resort and guides that river and knows it probably better than anyone. (imo)

 

Tracy is a great dude. He was a lifesaver years ago when my buddies and I flipped a raft on the White Salmon during the spring flood (he ran us down the river in his raft to salvage our gear). Another good option for learning the Klickitat is Cody with Chrome Dome Fishing; that’s his home river.


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