Winding through the coastal rainforest of Pacific County before emptying into Willapa Bay, the Naselle River is a small, quiet stream known for chrome-bright winter steelhead and a strong fall coho run. It’s a 3.5- to 4-hour drive from Seattle, but anglers are rewarded with misty, moss-covered scenery and far fewer crowds than rivers closer to the city.
Seattle Fishing Company’s guide explains the river’s rhythm. Spring and summer are slow, offering trout and sea-run cutthroat, but fall brings coho in October and November, with Chinook opportunities continuing into winter. Winter steelhead, the Naselle’s signature fishery, fish best from January through March.
Key spots include the productive water near the Naselle Hatchery, the WDFW access site at the Highway 4 bridge with its riverside easement trail, and the stretch between the Bighill and Crown Mainline bridges. Much of the river crosses private timberland, so staying within posted easements matters.
The guide recommends float fishing with bobbers and cured roe for salmon, twitching jigs and spinners in the lower river, and soft beads or jigs for steelhead. Because selective gear rules, barbless hook requirements and catch-and-release zones apply, checking current regulations before every trip is a must.
Read the full post here: Fishing the Naselle River
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