Fishing near Vancouver, Washington
Clark County, population 190,915.
- 6 milesto nearest paged water
- 3launches nearby
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo: Jeff Hollett, CC0 1.0
A day of fishing that starts in Vancouver
190,915 people lived in Vancouver in 2020; it is a city within Clark County. The closest water with its own page is Klineline Pond, roughly 6 miles to the northwest. For open water, Vancouver Lake leads with 2,287 acres. Boats go in at Vancouver Lake boat launch, about 6 miles from town.
Shore anglers head about 6 miles to Klineline Pond fishing pier. For planted rainbows, Klineline Pond sits about 6 miles away.
Census 2020 population and Gazetteer point for Vancouver; miles are straight lines.
Lowland lakes by distance from Vancouver
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | WDFW program | Fish WDFW maps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Klineline Pond | 6 miles northwest | 12 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, brown trout, coastal cutthroat trout |
| Vancouver Lake | 6 miles northwest | 2,287 | 1 | Warmwater emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass, brown bullhead |
| Lacamas Lake | 8 miles east | 250 | 1 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, brown trout, largemouth bass |
| Battle Ground Lake | 13 miles northeast | 25 | 2 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, coastal cutthroat trout, largemouth bass |
| Fargher Lake | 18 miles north | 16 | 0 | Trout emphasis | |
| Horseshoe Lake (Cowlitz County) | 19 miles north | 83 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, brown trout, largemouth bass |
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 Vancouver
- Little Washougal River12 miles, SWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 10 mi in Washington
- East Fork Lewis River12 miles, SWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 3 WDFW shore or access sites, 1 USGS gauge, 43 mi in Washington
- Washougal River13 miles, SWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 1 mapped launch, 3 WDFW shore or access sites, 33 mi in Washington
Gauge flow today near Vancouver
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia River At Vancouver, Wa | 116,000 cfs, 1.86 ft gage height | Nov 2 11:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 2, 2026 11:33 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 Vancouver, mapped
- Vancouver Lake boat launchVancouver Lake, WDFW, 6 miles
- Lacamas Lake boat launchLacamas Lake, agency not given, 9 miles
- Langsdorf Landinglaunch site, WDFW, 9 miles
WDFW piers and shore sites by Vancouver
- Klineline Pond fishing piershore fishing site, Fishing pier, this area serves as the open swimming area dur, 6 miles
- Klineline Pond fishing piershore fishing site, Fishing pier, 6 miles
- Klineline Pond fishing piershore fishing site, Fishing pier, 6 miles
- Vancouver Lake shore access near Lake Shore (east)shore fishing site, 400 feet of shore fishing east of WDFW access site, 6 miles
- Vancouver Lake shore accessshore fishing site, 400 feet of shore fishing east of the flushing channel, 300 , 7 miles
- Vancouver Lake shore access near Lake Shore (west)shore fishing site, 1000 feet of shoreline that includes an open swimming area , 8 miles
WDFW Facilities layer and the State Parks boat launch layer; retrieved October 31, 2026.
2026 hatchery plants close to Vancouver
| Lake | Distance | Latest 2026 plant |
|---|---|---|
| Klineline Pond | 6 miles | Rainbow, 2,000 fish at 2.6 per pound, October 26, 2026, Vancouver Hatchery |
| Lacamas Lake | 8 miles | Rainbow, 4,000 fish at 2.6 per pound, October 27, 2026, Vancouver Hatchery |
| Battle Ground Lake | 13 miles | Rainbow, 1,080 fish at 2.6 per pound, October 27, 2026, Vancouver Hatchery |
| Horseshoe Lake (Cowlitz County) | 19 miles | Rainbow, 72 fish at 0.12 per pound, May 15, 2026, Goldendale 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 Vancouver area
Shops listed around Vancouver
- Sportsman's Warehouse Vancouversporting goods store, Vancouver, 3 miles
- Cannon Marinemarina, Brush Prairie
- Pacific Northwest Sporting Goodbait and tackle shop, Camas
- Marina Ridgefieldmarina, Ridgefield
- Felida Moorage & Marine Servicemarina, Vancouver
- Hawken Fishingbait and tackle shop, Vancouver
- JT Marine Incmarina, Vancouver
- Kadow's Marinamarina, Vancouver
Hired boats around Vancouver
- Fishing With Larry Schoenborncharter, Vancouver, (360) 260-7138
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 Vancouver
| Species | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steelhead, winter-run | 32.75 lbs | East Fork Lewis River | April 14, 1980 |
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 Vancouver 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.
Close around Vancouver
Other towns near Vancouver
- Minnehaha2 miles
- Five Corners4 miles
- Hazel Dell4 miles
- Orchards5 miles
- Barberton5 miles
Which county guide Vancouver falls under
- Clark Countyseat: Vancouver
Piscifun gear a Cascades angler could bring to Vancouver
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Lakes, rivers and sound close to Vancouver, pictured
Photo: brx0, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Eli Duke, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: PNWDawn, Public domain
Photo: Bill Reynolds, CC BY 2.0
Staying in Vancouver with a rod in the car, in questions
What lake lies nearest the Vancouver town centre?
Klineline Pond, 6 miles northwest.
How many miles from Vancouver to a mapped ramp?
Vancouver Lake boat launch, 6 miles away.
Which WDFW shore site is closest to Vancouver?
Klineline Pond fishing pier, about 6 miles.
Which listed tackle shop is nearest Vancouver?
Sportsman's Warehouse Vancouver lists a store 3 miles from the town point.
Under which Washington county does Vancouver fall?
Clark County, with a county page of ramps and lakes.
Which WDFW license covers a weekend near Vancouver?
A nonresident Freshwater license costs $115.85 for the 2026-27 year.
What is the largest lake in the Vancouver table?
Vancouver Lake covers 2,287 acres and sits 6 miles out.
Which towns border Vancouver on this site?
Closest: Minnehaha (2 miles), Five Corners (4 miles) and Hazel Dell (4 miles).
Which records belong to water by Vancouver?
Steelhead, winter-run, 32.75 lbs, from EF Lewis River, Clark County.
Which lake near Vancouver got a 2026 trout plant?
Klineline Pond, 6 miles away, is the closest lake with a 2026 WDFW plant.
Stay in Vancouver and fish nearby
Each lake, river and marine water above opens a full page.