Fishing in the Stehekin Valley is a refreshing recreation. You could fish every hole on every stream, and every part of every lake and never fish the same water twice in a lifetime of wandering.

In the 250 square miles of Stehekin watershed, there are over 150 miles of streams and many lakes teeming with mostly native trout. Much of the water is overpopulated and can be fished catch and take if allowed. Some of the water is fragile and should be fished catch and release. Fishing regulations usually reflect this. Running into another fisherman is a rarity.

Being fairly new to the Stehekin Valley, I should not be deemed an expert on all its waters. As a well learned fly, fisherman, guide, teacher, and lover of natural things, I could write a book on fishing the pure waters of the Stehekin Valley. I would hope that you, too, can come to appreciate and see clearly the wonderful things happening in and out of the water during your visit here.

You must, of course, check the regulations to see that the water you are fishing is open and what the restrictions and keep limits are. Please catch and release when asked to do so. Please do not use bait or barbed hooks when it is not allowed. Also, please follow all catch and size limits when they apply.

Stream fishing is always dependent on water conditions. Because the Stehekin Valley gets so much snow, late spring and early summer can be very high and colored water. Fishing can still be good if you can fish the water well. You will do better if you hit some cooler weather and lower water. You will have to trust your luck on this one. Late summer can still be high water if the weather is hot, as the Stehekin's many glaciers will kick in with green water. Streams and small rivers like the Boulder, Rainbow, Bridge, Park, Flat, Agnes, Company, Battalion, upper Stehekin, and others are typical mountain streams. Being part otter and part mountain goat helps a lot. But, the rewards are worth the effort. Dry flies, weighted nymphs, or spinners work most of the time. My favorite dry fly is a yellow stimulator. Most fish are 6 to 14 inches. Rainbow, cutthroat, and a few brookies are the catch of the day.

Most of the numerous lakes hold nice cutthroat trout. Coon Lake can be accessed several ways by an easy 1.2 mile hike. Cutthroat 10 to 20 inches take flies and lures easily. Trapper lake is a real challenge to get to. In distance it is only 1 mile or so from Cottonwood campground, but it might seem like 5 or 6 by the time you arrive. Cutthroat over 20 inches are occasionally caught at Trapper. Both of these lakes are best fished with a flotation device.

The upper end of Lake Chelan has good fishing at times, trolling deep for Chinook, kokanee, and trout. You'll need a boat for this.

Many Lake Chelan fish use the Stehekin River for spawning purposes. Rainbow and cutthroat trout in the spring. Landlocked Chinook and sockeye salmon in the fall. The salmon are usually too spent to be much of a fishery, but the black bear appreciate them. It is very common to share the fall water with a black bear or two. There are also rattlesnakes to watch out for.

The lower Stehekin River plays host to occasional large trout. But, the fishing can be tough work. The high water and treacherous glacial rocks can affect both' access and wading ability. Be very careful and always respect land owners along the river.

Enjoy your stay in this beautiful valley and try to release unharmed any big native fish you catch and to preserve this treasure for future generations.. Now - go wet a line!

Local Regulations for upper Lake Chelan:
Year around season. Trout catch limit 2, min. length 15". Kokanee catch limit 5, no minimum size. CLOSED April 1-June 30 uptake of a line between Purple Point and the Painted Rocks, and within 400' of all tributaries.

Regulations for the Stehekin:
Catch and Release fishing opens March 1 in the lower river which allows you to fish with a single barbless hook only and no bait. Regular season (if there is such a thing) is July 1 to Oct. 31, bait prohibited, selective fishery regulations apply. The upper river and streams open June 1-Oct. 31. You can keep 2 fish, minimum length 8". These waters are packed with small to medium cutthroat and Rainbows and are great fishing later in the season. The exception to this is the Lake Chelan tributaries from the mouth and upstream one mile that are open July 1-Oct. 31, minimum length is 8" and bait is prohibited. Lakes open year-round, catch limit 5, no minimum length except Trapper Lake where the catch limit is two, no minimum length.