Fishing near Richland, Washington
Benton County, population 60,560.
- 8 milesto nearest paged water
- 4launches nearby
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo: lamblukas, CC BY 2.0
A day of fishing that starts in Richland
60,560 people lived in Richland in 2020; it is a city within Benton County. The closest water with its own page is Columbia Park Pond, roughly 8 miles to the southeast. For open water, Mesa Lake leads with 48 acres. Boats go in at Duportail boat launch on Yakima River, about 1 mile from town.
Shore anglers head about 1 mile to Lake Wallula on Columbia River. For planted rainbows, Columbia Park Pond sits about 8 miles away.
Census 2020 population and Gazetteer point for Richland; miles are straight lines.
Lowland lakes by distance from Richland
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | WDFW program | Fish WDFW maps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Park Pond | 8 miles southeast | 10 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass |
| Hood Park Ponds | 14 miles east | 10 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, yellow perch |
| Quarry Pond | 19 miles southeast | 6 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout |
| Clark Pond | 20 miles northeast | 38 | 1 | Warmwater emphasis | largemouth bass, walleye, yellow perch |
| Mesa Lake | 23 miles northeast | 48 | 1 | Warmwater emphasis | largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye |
| Dalton Lake | 24 miles east | 45 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass, yellow perch |
WDFW Fish Washington lowland and high lake layers (surface acres as published, management emphasis, mapped species); retrieved October 31, 2026.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 River guides a short drive from Richland
Gauge flow today near Richland
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Yakima River At Kiona, Wa | 1,680 cfs, 4.12 ft gage height | Nov 2 6:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 2, 2026 7:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
USGS NHD flowlines, WDFW SWIFD salmon and steelhead distribution, WDFW and State Parks launches and USGS gauges; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Access points around Richland, mapped
- Duportail boat launch on Yakima RiverYakima River, WDFW, 1 mile
- Hyde Road boat launch on Yakima RiverYakima River, WDFW, 2 miles
- Snively Road boat launch on Yakima RiverYakima River, WDFW, 7 miles
- Benton City boat launch on Yakima RiverYakima River, City of Benton City, 9 miles
WDFW piers and shore sites by Richland
- Lake Wallula on Columbia Rivershore fishing site, Dock fishing at boat ramp, 1 mile
- Lake Wallula on Columbia Rivershore fishing site, Dock fishing , 1 mile
- Lake Wallula on Columbia Rivershore fishing site, Dock fishing , 1 mile
- Lake Wallulashore fishing site, Dock fishing, 2 miles
- Lake Wallula fishing piershore fishing site, Dock fishing , 2 miles
- Lake Wallula near Richlandshore fishing site, Dock fishing, 3 miles
WDFW Facilities layer and the State Parks boat launch layer; retrieved October 31, 2026.
2026 hatchery plants close to Richland
| Lake | Distance | Latest 2026 plant |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia Park Pond | 8 miles | Rainbow, 56 fish at 0.5 per pound, April 16, 2026, Meseberg Hatchery |
| Hood Park Ponds | 14 miles | Rainbow, 150 fish at 0.67 per pound, May 1, 2026, Tucannon Hatchery |
| Quarry Pond | 19 miles | Rainbow, 25 fish at 0.67 per pound, April 8, 2026, Lyons Ferry Hatchery |
| Dalton Lake | 24 miles | Rainbow, 75 fish at 0.67 per pound, April 28, 2026, Tucannon Hatchery |
The plant column gives the most recent WDFW release at each lake.
WDFW Trout Plants report (rows January 2 to October 27, 2026), read October 31, 2026.
Gear stores working the Richland area
Shops listed around Richland
- Dick's Sporting Goods Kennewicksporting goods store, Kennewick, 5 miles
- Sportsman's Warehouse Kennewicksporting goods store, Kennewick, 6 miles
- Columbia Park Marinamarina, Richland
- Three Rivers Tacklebait and tackle shop, West Richland
Hired boats around Richland
- Angler's Edge Guide Servicecharter, Richland, (509) 430-5062
Yellow Pages and chain store listings (miles only for shops with an exact point), guide and charter listings; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Record-book water around Richland
| Species | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | 20.32 lbs | Lake Wallula | Feb. 28, 2014 |
| Flathead Catfish | 22.80 lbs | Snake River | June 28, 1981 |
| Northern Pikeminnow | 8.60 lbs | Snake River | April 16, 2026 |
| Steelhead, summer-run | 35.06 lbs | Snake River | Nov. 23, 1973 |
| Smallmouth Bass | 8.75 lbs | Columbia River | April 23, 1966 |
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) sport fish records list, as of October 31, 2026. Waters within 40 miles.
Size and daily limits for Richland trips
At 2026-27 WDFW prices, freshwater fishing runs $39.95 for a resident and $115.85 for an out-of-state angler 16 or older. Retained salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut go on a catch record card issued with the license.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | No min. size in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Only largemouth bass less than 12" may be retained, except 1 over 17" may be retained. Daily limit 5. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Largemouth Bass | No size restriction/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Smallmouth Bass | No min. size in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Only 1 smallmouth bass over 14" may be retained. Daily limit 10. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Smallmouth Bass | No size restriction/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Walleye | 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 |
| Walleye | No size restriction/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Channel Catfish | No min. size in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Daily limit 5. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Channel Catfish | No min. size/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Burbot (Freshwater Ling) | No min. size. Daily limit 5. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for |
| Crappie, Northern Pikeminnow, Peamouth Chub, Perch, Suckers, Sunfish, | No min. size. No daily limit. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Grass Carp | Closed unless otherwise listed in Special Rules. | Closed |
| Kokanee | 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 |
| Whitefish | No min. size. Daily limit 15. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for |
| Steelhead | Release all wild steelhead. Min. size 20". Daily limit 2. Open during salmon or game fish seasons unless as otherwise listed. | Open during salmon or game fish seasons unless as otherwise listed |
| Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Golden Trout, Tiger Trout | In rivers, streams, and beaver ponds: Min. size 8". Daily limit 2. | Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 (statewide river season, p.23) |
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. Lake, river and marine pages print any Special Rule or marine area table.
Piscifun gear a Cascades angler could bring to Richland
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Lakes, rivers and sound close to Richland, pictured
Photo: Steve Riddle, Public domain
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Bonnie Moreland, Public domain
Photo: Bruce Fingerhood, CC BY 2.0
Staying in Richland with a rod in the car, in questions
What lake lies nearest the Richland town centre?
Columbia Park Pond, 8 miles southeast.
How many miles from Richland to a mapped ramp?
Duportail boat launch on Yakima River, 1 mile away.
Which WDFW shore site is closest to Richland?
Lake Wallula on Columbia River, about 1 mile.
Which listed tackle shop is nearest Richland?
Dick's Sporting Goods Kennewick lists a store 5 miles from the town point.
Under which Washington county does Richland fall?
Benton County, with a county page of ramps and lakes.
Which WDFW license covers a weekend near Richland?
A nonresident Freshwater license costs $115.85 for the 2026-27 year.
What is the largest lake in the Richland table?
Mesa Lake covers 48 acres and sits 23 miles out.
Which towns border Richland on this site?
Closest: West Richland (5 miles), West Pasco (6 miles) and Kennewick (8 miles).
Which records belong to water by Richland?
Walleye, 20.32 lbs, from Lake Wallula, Benton County.
Which lake near Richland got a 2026 trout plant?
Columbia Park Pond, 8 miles away, is the closest lake with a 2026 WDFW plant.
Stay in Richland and fish nearby
Each lake, river and marine water above opens a full page.