Lower Klickitat River Fishing Report

Washington Fishing Reports ยท Southwest Region

The Klickitat runs through a basalt canyon into the Columbia near Lyle, with summer steelhead, fall salmon and glacial color.

Looking for the latest Lower Klickitat River report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the Lower Klickitat River.

Current flows

Wind forecast

Lower Klickitat River fishing report

Updated November 7, 2026.

FishingFairWaterOff color at timesHatchesBWOs

The gauge near Pitt reads around 640 cfs.

Steelhead are still in the river. Swing flies through the runs when the water clears.

Load your fly box

Before you head to Lower Klickitat, bring: Woolly Bugger #4-6, Egg #8-12, Pat', s Rubber Legs #6-8, Zebra Midge #18-22, RS2 Emerger #18-22, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-20, Black Beauty #20-24, Squirmy Wormie #12-14, Scud Bomb #14-16.

Flies working right now

The flies above that we have in stock right now.

Lower Klickitat River details

AccessAccess along State Highway 142 between Lyle and Klickitat.
ElevationAbout 100 to 1,500 ft
Nearest townLyle, Washington
Best seasonSummer and fall
FishSteelhead and salmon
RegulationsSteelhead and salmon seasons change often by emergency rule. Check the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations and emergency rule changes before you go. A Washington fishing license is required for anglers 15 and older, plus a catch record card for steelhead and salmon.
Leaders and tippetSink tips and 2X to 3X tippet
CampingCamping near Klickitat and Goldendale
KidsNo.
Good to knowThe upper river is on tribal land. Know where the boundary is.

Fishing by season

Winter

Cold.

Spring

High glacial water.

Summer

Summer steelhead.

Fall

Fall steelhead and salmon.

How to get there

From I-84 at Hood River, cross the Columbia and take State Highway 14 east to Lyle, then State Highway 142.

More Southwest Washington reports