Census takers counted 82,149 people across Lewis County in 2020, and county government sits in Chehalis. Stocking rows for the county carry the WDFW Region 5 label in the WDFW report. A neighbouring state holds part of Chehalis River. WDFW counts 41 lakes in the county among its high lakes, most reached on foot.
18 lakes here carry a full page, together 17,787 acres, the biggest being Riffe Lake. WDFW distribution maps place salmon or steelhead runs in Chehalis River, Cowlitz River, Nisqually River and Deschutes River. Boaters get 8 boat launches from the agency layers, managed by 6 WDFW and 2 other agencies. The WDFW layer shows 25 shore or access sites for fishing on foot; 9 are piers.
18lake pages
8boat launches
19river pages
5shops listed
Census 2020 population; WDFW Fish Washington lake layers, WDFW facilities and State Parks launch layers (WDFW GIS); WDFW marine areas; retrieved October 31, 2026.
WDFW Fish Washington lowland and high lake layers (surface acres as published, management emphasis, mapped species); WDFW publishes no lake depths in these layers. Retrieved October 31, 2026.
Species
Fish named most often on water near Lewis County
Across water pages within 50 miles of Chehalis, rainbow trout is named more than any other fish.
Rainbow trout61 waters
Largemouth bass49 waters
Yellow perch35 waters
Coastal cutthroat trout23 waters
Brown bullhead20 waters
Black crappie19 waters
Bluegill16 waters
Brown trout12 waters
Smallmouth bass12 waters
Kokanee8 waters
Species mapped in the WDFW Fish Washington layers, WDFW state records and the 2026 WDFW trout plants, counted per water page within 50 miles; not a survey.
More water
Alpine tarns and ponds dotted over Lewis County
A further 37 lakes in Lewis County are mapped but thin on facts.
Water
Acres
WDFW program
Nearest town
Dumbbell Lake
38
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Glacier Lake
31
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Morton
Cora Lake
26
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Morton
Fryingpan Lake
21
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Lily Lake
18
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Lost Lake (Lewis County)
17
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Watch Lake
15
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Morton
Pipe Lake
8
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Gertrude Lake
8
WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes
Tieton
Goose Lake
8
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Morton
Snow Lake
8
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Wright Lake
7
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Morton
St Michael Lake
6
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Morton
West Fork (Janelle) Lake
6
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Morton
Anderson Lake
5
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Morton
Pothole Lake
5
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Morton
Fort Borst Lake
5
Mixed species – Trout emphasis
Centralia
Willame Lake
5
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Morton
Mud Lake
5
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Morton
Long Lake (Lewis County)
4
Trout emphasis
Morton
Jess Lake
4
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Moss Lake
4
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Morton
Coyote Lake
4
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Bluff Lake
3
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Morton
Upper Anderson Lake
3
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Morton
Jackpot Lake
3
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Morton
Knuppenburg Lake
2
WDFW high lake, getting started lakes
Tieton
Spud Lake
2
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Morton
Bill Lake
2
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Bishop Ridge Pond
2
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Morton
Lost Hat Lake
2
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
St John Lake
2
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Morton
Art Lake
2
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Morton
Hager Lake
1
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Morton
Upper Bishop Lake
1
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Morton
Lake Fizrenken
1
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Eatonville
Lone Tree Lake
0
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Morton
WDFW Fish Washington lowland and high lake layers and USGS NHD lake outlines, retrieved October 31, 2026.
Rivers
Streams to drift or wade in Lewis County
Chehalis RiverSWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 4 mapped launches, 7 USGS gauges, 134 mi in Washington
Cowlitz RiverSWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 2 mapped launches, 10 WDFW shore or access sites, 5 USGS gauges, 127 mi in Washington
Nisqually RiverSWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 2 WDFW shore or access sites, 4 USGS gauges, 77 mi in Washington
Deschutes RiverSWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 2 USGS gauges, 54 mi in Washington
Skookumchuck RiverSWIFD lists chinook, coho and steelhead trout, 1 WDFW shore or access site, 3 USGS gauges, 43 mi in Washington
Green River (Cowlitz County)SWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 37 mi in Washington
South Fork Chehalis RiverSWIFD lists chinook, coho and steelhead trout, 1 USGS gauge, 34 mi in Washington
South Fork Newaukum RiverSWIFD lists chinook, coho and steelhead trout, 1 USGS gauge, 30 mi in Washington
North Fork Newaukum RiverSWIFD lists chinook, coho and steelhead trout, 1 USGS gauge, 21 mi in Washington
Newaukum RiverSWIFD lists chinook, coho and steelhead trout, 1 USGS gauge, 12 mi in Washington
Middle Fork Newaukum RiverSWIFD lists coho and steelhead trout, 11 mi in Washington
East Fork Grays RiverSWIFD lists chinook, coho and steelhead trout, 7 mi in Washington
Olequa Creek2 mapped launches, 19 mi in Washington
Mill Creek1 mapped launch, 3 WDFW shore or access sites, 15 mi in Washington
Cispus River1 USGS gauge, 42 mi in Washington
Tilton River1 WDFW shore or access site, 1 USGS gauge, 31 mi in Washington
Clear Fork Cowlitz River18 mi in Washington
North Fork Cispus River16 mi in Washington
Muddy Fork Cowlitz River14 mi in Washington
More creeks and sloughs of Lewis County (12)
East Fork Chehalis RiverSWIFD lists chinook, coho and steelhead trout, 10 mi in Washington
East Fork Elochoman RiverSWIFD lists chinook, coho and steelhead trout, 6 mi in Washington
East Fork Tilton River10 mi in Washington
Fall RiverSWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 17 mi in Washington
Hall Creek1 WDFW shore or access site, 7 mi in Washington
Little Deschutes River6 mi in Washington
Little Nisqually River8 mi in Washington
North Fork Tilton River6 mi in Washington
Ohanapecosh River16 mi in Washington
West Fork Chehalis RiverSWIFD lists chinook, coho and steelhead trout, 9 mi in Washington
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 11, 2026 7:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
USGS NHD flowlines and Washington lengths, WDFW SWIFD salmon and steelhead distribution, WDFW and State Parks launches, USGS gauges; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Stocking
Stocked trout in the lakes of Lewis County
In 2026, 63 WDFW plants put 191,867 trout into 11 waters inside Lewis County.
Mayfield LakeRainbow, 2,220 fish at 1.11 per pound, August 25, 2026, Mckernan Hatchery
Mayfield LakeRainbow, 2,320 fish at 1.16 per pound, August 19, 2026, Mckernan Hatchery
Mayfield LakeRainbow, 2,520 fish at 1.26 per pound, August 11, 2026, Mckernan Hatchery
Mayfield LakeRainbow, 1,534 fish at 1.17 per pound, August 5, 2026, Mckernan Hatchery
Mayfield LakeRainbow, 971 fish at 1.41 per pound, August 5, 2026, Mckernan Hatchery
Mayfield LakeRainbow, 2,660 fish at 1.33 per pound, July 29, 2026, Mckernan Hatchery
Mayfield LakeRainbow, 2,800 fish at 1.4 per pound, July 21, 2026, Mckernan Hatchery
Rainey CreekRainbow, 2,750 fish at 2.5 per pound, July 14, 2026, Mossyrock Hatchery
Mineral LakeBrown Trout, 1,688 fish at 2.5 per pound, July 14, 2026, Mossyrock Hatchery
Mineral LakeRainbow, 1,063 fish at 2.5 per pound, July 14, 2026, Mossyrock Hatchery
Mayfield LakeRainbow, 2,500 fish at 1.25 per pound, July 14, 2026, Mckernan Hatchery
Mayfield LakeRainbow, 2,500 fish at 2.5 per pound, July 9, 2026, Mossyrock Hatchery
WDFW Trout Plants report (rows January 2 to October 27, 2026), read October 31, 2026; newest plants first.
Access
Ramp and pier inventory for Lewis County
Barrier Dam boat launch on Mill CreekMill Creek, Tacoma Power, 1 ramp, concrete surface
I-5 Bridge boat launch on Cowlitz RiverCowlitz River, WDFW, 1 ramp, concrete surface, Discover Pass
Massey Bar boat launch on Cowlitz RiverCowlitz River, WDFW, 1 ramp, concrete surface, Discover Pass
Mineral Lake boat launchMineral Lake, WDFW, 1 ramp, concrete surface, Discover Pass
Riffe Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Next to dam, paved trail to a small area that can be fished
Swofford Pond shore accessshore fishing site, Primitive ramp, 1000 feet of shoreline next to Green Mountai
WDFW Facilities layer (boat launches, piers, shore sites) and the State Parks boat launch layer; retrieved October 31, 2026. Lanes and per-launch fees are not published in these layers.
Regulations
Statewide freshwater rules across Lewis County
The baseline for Lewis County is the statewide freshwater table; named waters below set their own terms. Lake and river trips call for the Freshwater license: $39.95 if you live in Washington, $115.85 if you do not. A catch record card rides along with the license whenever salmon, steelhead, sturgeon or halibut are kept.
Min. size 12" in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Daily limit 8. Only 1 over 22" may be retained. May be caught, retained, and released alive from a livewell until daily limit is in possession.
Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31
No min. size. Daily limit 10. When fishing with bait, all kokanee that are lawful to possess and are equal to or greater than the minimum size are counted as part of the daily limit whether kept or released.
Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for
Tiger Muskellunge (Tiger Muskie)
Min. size 50". Daily limit 1.
Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for
In rivers, streams, and beaver ponds: Min. size 8". Daily limit 2.
Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 (statewide river season, p.23)
Where Lewis County breaks from the statewide tables (305)
Water and reach
Species
Rule
Chehalis River: from the mouth (Hwy. 101 Bridge in Aberdeen) to Hwy. 107 bridge in Montesano including all channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways CRC (
All species
Selective gear rules. (Jan. 1-Mar. 31)
Chehalis River: from the mouth (Hwy. 101 Bridge in Aberdeen) to Hwy. 107 bridge in Montesano including all channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways CRC (
All species
2-Pole allowed. (Aug. 1-Dec. 31)
Chehalis River: from the mouth (Hwy. 101 Bridge in Aberdeen) to Hwy. 107 bridge in Montesano including all channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways CRC (
All species
Single-point barbless hooks required. Night closure. (Aug. 1-Nov. 30)
Chehalis River: from the mouth (Hwy. 101 Bridge in Aberdeen) to Hwy. 107 bridge in Montesano including all channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways CRC (
Trout
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout: min. size 14". (Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31)
Chehalis River: from the mouth (Hwy. 101 Bridge in Aberdeen) to Hwy. 107 bridge in Montesano including all channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways CRC (
Trout
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Release cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout. (Nov. 1-Mar. 31)
Chehalis River: from the mouth (Hwy. 101 Bridge in Aberdeen) to Hwy. 107 bridge in Montesano including all channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways CRC (
Other game fish
Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31)
Chehalis River: from the mouth (Hwy. 101 Bridge in Aberdeen) to Hwy. 107 bridge in Montesano including all channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways CRC (
Chehalis River: from the mouth (Hwy. 101 Bridge in Aberdeen) to Hwy. 107 bridge in Montesano including all channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways CRC (
Salmon
Min. size 12". Daily limit 6 including no more than 2 adults. Release adult Chinook. (Sept. 16-Oct. 31)
Chehalis River: from the mouth (Hwy. 101 Bridge in Aberdeen) to Hwy. 107 bridge in Montesano including all channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways CRC (
Salmon
Min. size 12". Daily limit 6 including no more than 2 adults. Release Chinook. (Nov. 1-Dec. 31)
Chehalis River: from Hwy. 107 bridge in Montesano to Fuller Bridge (Keys Rd.) including all channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways CRC (317)
All species
Selective gear rules. (Jan. 1-Mar. 31)
Chehalis River: from Hwy. 107 bridge in Montesano to Fuller Bridge (Keys Rd.) including all channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways CRC (317)
All species
Single-point barbless hooks required. Night closure. (Aug. 1-Nov. 30)
Chehalis River: from Hwy. 107 bridge in Montesano to Fuller Bridge (Keys Rd.) including all channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways CRC (317)
All species
2-Pole allowed. (Aug. 1-Dec. 31)
Chehalis River: from Hwy. 107 bridge in Montesano to Fuller Bridge (Keys Rd.) including all channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways CRC (317)
Trout
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout: min. size 14". (Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31)
Chehalis River: from Hwy. 107 bridge in Montesano to Fuller Bridge (Keys Rd.) including all channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways CRC (317)
Trout
Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Release cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout. (Nov. 1-Mar. 31)
Chehalis River: from Hwy. 107 bridge in Montesano to Fuller Bridge (Keys Rd.) including all channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways CRC (317)
Other game fish
Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Mar. 31)
Chehalis River: from Hwy. 107 bridge in Montesano to Fuller Bridge (Keys Rd.) including all channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways CRC (317)
Chehalis River: from Hwy. 107 bridge in Montesano to Fuller Bridge (Keys Rd.) including all channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways CRC (317)
Salmon
Min. size 12". Daily limit 6 including no more than 2 adults. Release adult Chinook. (Sept. 16-Oct. 31)
Chehalis River: from Hwy. 107 bridge in Montesano to Fuller Bridge (Keys Rd.) including all channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways CRC (317)
Salmon
Min. size 12". Daily limit 6 including no more than 2 adults. Release Chinook. (Nov. 1-Dec. 31)
Chehalis River: from Fuller Bridge (Keys Rd.) to South Elma Bridge (Wakefield Rd.) including all channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways CRC (317)
All species
Selective gear rules. (Jan. 1-Mar. 31)
Chehalis River: from Fuller Bridge (Keys Rd.) to South Elma Bridge (Wakefield Rd.) including all channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways CRC (317)
Limits and seasons as printed in the 2026-2027 Washington Sport Fishing Rules (WDFW pamphlet, in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027), PDF page 27 (pamphlet PDF; eRegulations statewide freshwater page), read October 31, 2026. Special Rules as printed in the 2026-2027 Washington Sport Fishing Rules (WDFW pamphlet, in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027), pamphlet page 28 (pamphlet PDF), read on eRegulations October 31, 2026.
Records
Heaviest fish WDFW credits to Lewis County
Species
Weight
Angler
Water
Date
Eastern Brook Trout
9.00 lbs
George G. Weekes
Wobbly Lake, Lewis County
May 7, 1988
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) sport fish records list, as of October 31, 2026.
Local help
Lewis County bait counters and charter skippers
Shop listings for Lewis County
Fish Doctor Jigsbait and tackle shop, Chehalis
Great Falls Outdoors, Inc.bait and tackle shop, Centralia
Lost Creek Fly Shopfly shop, Onalaska
Radio Shack & Tri-Mountain Sportsbait and tackle shop, Morton
Port of Anacortes, 266 Doty Dryad Rdmarina, Chehalis
Lewis County skippers and river guides
Jr's Sport Fishing & River Guidecharter, Chehalis, (360) 262-9584
For the salmon herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 
Pick for salmonPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 
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