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Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
Winthrop to Twisp The river tops out around 13 ft. The depth chart comes from Washington Geological Survey / Washington Department of Natural Resources bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
The outline encloses 126 acres, worked by 19.9 miles of shoreline. That shoreline is heavily fingered (development index 12.7) — bays, points and pockets everywhere, which multiplies the fishable edge. Nothing on this chart breaks 15 ft, which makes the whole surface littoral: weeds, bait and ambush cover everywhere. Tip to tip the water measures near 8 mi with a 0.9-mi widest point. Okanogan County claims this one. If the bite dies, Davis Lake is 2 mi to the northeast.
Early season rainbow trout use the shallows, holding in 3 to 13 ft. Even in summer they hold at 3 to 13 ft; winter keeps them in 3 to 13 ft. The chart's best answer is Riffle & run (mile 0.4) — rock pile, 1 ft, good for summer. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon and you're in the game.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 13 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Riffle & run (mile 0.4) (1 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 3 to 13 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Riffle & run (mile 0.4) (1 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 4 to 13 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Riffle & run (mile 0.4) (1 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 3 to 13 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Riffle & run (mile 0.4) (1 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
In spring, steelhead run shallow here, mostly 2 to 13 ft. Summer keeps them at 1 to 13 ft, and they winter in 3 to 13 ft. Time it for early morning and the evening. You won't need more than an orange dodger + fly high in the column or a thin spoon off boards most summer days.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 13 ft chart-limited; documented 3 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Small spoon or spinner at the mouths, Jig + waxworm under float |
| Summer | 1 to 13 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 45 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Orange dodger + fly high in the column, Thin spoon off boards |
| Fall | 2 to 13 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Spinner (silver/blue), Casting spoon |
| Winter | 3 to 13 ft chart-limited; documented 4 to 15 ft | midday | open water | Float jig (black/purple), Bead rig |
4 pieces of structure are mapped here — Riffle & run (mile 0.4), around 1 ft, is the deepest of them.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Washington waters are set by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife — and special regulations can apply to Methow River specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Washington fishing regulations →
Methow River is about 13 ft (4 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from Washington Geological Survey / Washington Department of Natural Resources bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target rainbow trout, steelhead on Methow River.
Riffle & run (mile 0.4) is the top-rated area: a rock pile in about 1 ft of water that rates good for rainbow trout in summer. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.
For rainbow trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Methow River is regulated by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Check the official Washington regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Davis Lake 2 mi · Big Twin Lake 3 mi · Pearrygin Lake 5 mi · Patterson Lake 5 mi · Conconully Reservoir 20 mi · Green Lake 24 mi · Fish Lake 25 mi · Lake Chelan 25 mi · Blue Lake 26 mi · Blue Lake 28 mi · Rainy Lake 28 mi · Alta Lake 29 mi
See how Methow River stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in Washington · best steelhead lakes in Washington
More water nearby: Okanogan County fishing maps (21 charts). Browse all Washington fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry: published agency survey data. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.