Coldwater Lake, WA - Bass and Walleye Fishing

Hi Yakkers,

I am new to the area, just moved to Camas, WA and hope to learn about local fishing from the pros on this site. Any help is appreciated.

My 11 year old grandson will be here next week and I'd love to take him fishing. I live right by Lacamas Lake and will try there but I'm thinking about Coldwater Lake. It's on the road to Mt. Saint Helens so we can combine a trip with some education on volcanoes. Anyone got experience fishing here? According to Fishingnotes.com it's a good place to go for bass and Walleye right now. http://www.fishingnotes.com/lakeinfo.php?id=31724

My preference is fly fishing for bass with poppers. I'm a cajun and that's what I did in New Orleans 50 years ago. Still got the setup I bought in 1963 when I was a fishing guide in Yellowstone catching wild cutthroats on dry flies.

I'm using a Hobie Tandem Island. I know, the sail is a turnoff for some but for me it's all fun, I'm not looking to compete, just enjoy life. Took a friend up to Lake Merwin a few weeks ago and had a blast! Only caught a couple of Pike Minnows but I have no clue what I'm doing yet so it can only get better!

I'm up for meeting to talk fishing tackle, techniques, hot spots, etc. Thanks for any help!

IslandHoppa

I was a bit worried from your title.  The web site you visited is all wrong.  If you want information on Coldwater and other lakes near you try this site http://www.washingtonlakes.com

Coldwater is a special place considering it's location and history.  It has naturally reproducing rainbow and cutthroat trout.  It would be a real shame if bass and walleye were illegally introduced into that body of water.  With a tandem Hobie it would be a great place to get your grandson into some nice sized trout that put up a great fight.  Trolling woolybuggers down to the far end should get you some.  Two warnings, you can't step on shore other than the launch and beware of the wind.

Luckily you are near some great Smallmouth and walleye fishing.  Head up into the gorge.  Smallmouth might be easier to find close to you with the high runoff this year.  If you feel like driving all the way out to Biggs, OR you are in good walleye water with a shot at the next world record!

Welcome to the Pacific Northwest.

Snopro,

Thanks for the welcome and the heads up on Coldwater Lake. I was suspicious of the report on bass, etc. I checked out the link you gave and signed up but they don't have anything on Coldwater Lake. Still might try Coldwater next week.

Went to Fishermans Marine in Portland today and bought some gear including some tubes for bass. Gonna try my luck in Lacamas in the morning.

Hi and welcome. I've never fished Coldwater, but have paddled it many times. It's amazing in terms of beauty and historical importance. However, it can get downright mean. Check the wind forecast and check it again. I've seen it go from glass to unpaddle-able chop within 5 minutes.

As of my last visit, a park pass was required, and the pain of getting one at Johnson Ridge was, well, painful. The ranger station on the way up wasn't selling the pass/bracelet. That may have changed, though.

Anyway, have fun and enjoÿ the view. It's pretty amazing. Just mind the wind.

AJ

Aytchr,

You don't need to sign up, a little late for that.  Coldwater is on there.  You have to search out the lake you want info on.  Try these specific links. 

For a synopsis of the lake and it's fishing.  http://www.washingtonlakes.com/LakeInfo.aspx?id=264&t=1

For fishing reports.  http://www.washingtonlakes.com/ReportList.aspx?id=264&t=1

Even if you don't catch any fish, being on a unique body of water and the view of St. Helens is worth it.

Coldwater Lake is a very cool place just to go gawk at the surrounding beauty.  The dry fly fishing can be decent if there i s a hatch going on and the wind isn't blowing too hard. Carpenter ant or termite hatches will bring the trout to the surface.  We just catch and release there, but it is legal to keep one (only) trout 16" or larger.
The Rainbows were stocked after the lake was formed by a dam of volcanic ash and rubble, because the biologists didn't think any of the native Cutthroat had survived after the eruption. However, some cutts had survived in the upper creek, and populated the newly formed lake.
Now the Rainbows are wild spawning. All of the fish in the lake are now wild spawning. Coldwater Lake is indeed a special place!

There is one spot near the far end where it is legal to walk on the shore. It was marked by signs the last time I was up there. There's a trail that traverses the N side of the lake to that spot. Float tubers sometimes use it when the wind picks up and they get blown down to the far (East) end and can't make it back.
Check your wind and weather forecast before you go.
 

Two warnings, you can't step on shore other than the launch and beware of the wind.

Why is the shoreline closed?

Why is the shoreline closed?

Most of the park is closed to public access.  It's so the Bio's can study a PNW environment recovering from a volcanic blast with minimum human impact.  IMO it's a good thing, but I'd love to be able to walk around and explore if ever given the chance.

There's a lake in the park that has huge trout but it's out of bounds.  I'd love to help the Bio's out when they do a little hook and line capture for data purposes.