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Riffe Lake

Riffe Lake is a reservoir in Washington, near Lewis County.

Live lake forecast

Riffe Lake Fishing Weather

National Weather Service
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Fish species in Riffe Lake

Official stocking history

Stocking records show that the following fish or strains were stocked here. A historical stocking does not by itself prove that a self-sustaining population remains today.

Riffe Lake has landlocked coho and Chinook, smallmouth bass and trout. It doesn't have kokanee, which is an important distinction when choosing tackle and reading salmon rules. This long Cowlitz reservoir is worth approaching from the end you intend to fish.

Lake facts

  • Size: 11,326 acres
  • Main fish: Landlocked coho and Chinook salmon, smallmouth bass and trout

Where to fish

Shore anglers can check legal access near the dam and at the Taidnapam fishing bridge. Mossyrock Park is a western boat base. For salmon, try small trolling gear and adjust depth when you find fish. Smallmouth call for working rock and bottom changes with a jig or compact lure rather than repeating an open-water salmon pass.

Fishing tips and rules

Fishing is available year-round under current lake rules, but launching can be the limiting factor. Low water affects Tacoma Power's ramps, particularly at the eastern end. Check the actual launch before towing, even if you've used it before. Read the landlocked salmon rules rather than assuming another lake's opening applies.

Camping and lake access

Mossyrock and Taidnapam have camping and day-use options, with current operation to check for your dates. A picnic, shore walk or boat ride can fill the rest of the day. Watch wind on the long lake and allow time for loading. The river and hatchery fisheries nearby are separate from fishing Riffe itself.

Check the evidence

Sources and what they establish

Source dates describe the evidence, not a live catch forecast. Check the managing authority before planning access or keeping fish.

  • Black Crappie — supporting source

    Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife lake fishing prospects

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Bluegill — supporting source

    Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife lake fishing prospects

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Brown Bullhead — supporting source

    Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife lake fishing prospects

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Brown Trout — supporting source

    Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Plants

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Chinook Salmon — supporting source

    Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Plants

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Coastal Cutthroat Trout — supporting source

    Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife lake fishing prospects

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Coho Salmon — supporting source

    Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Plants

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Common Carp — supporting source

    Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife FishWA

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Cutthroat Trout — supporting source

    Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Plants

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Sockeye Salmon — supporting source

    Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife FishWA

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Largemouth Bass — supporting source

    Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife lake fishing prospects

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Largescale Sucker — supporting source

    Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife FishWA

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Northern Pikeminnow — supporting source

    Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife FishWA

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Peamouth Chub — supporting source

    Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife FishWA

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Pumpkinseed — supporting source

    Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife FishWA

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Steelhead — supporting source

    Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Plants

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Smallmouth Bass — supporting source

    Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife lake fishing prospects

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Yellow Perch — supporting source

    Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife FishWA

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

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