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Fishing Yakima River: what the data says
Yakima Canyon: Ringer access to Roza; WA's blue-ribbon float The river tops out around 6 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Rainbow Trout fishing at Yakima River
Start shallow in spring: rainbow trout sit in 2 to 6 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 6 ft, and winter fish hold in 1 to 6 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Current seam (mile 7.0): a current seam around 5 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 2 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 2 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 1 to 6 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Smallmouth Bass fishing at Yakima River
In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 2 to 6 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 6 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 6 ft. Inside bend (mile 9.9) is the standout, a point at roughly 5 ft, rated prime for fall smallmouth bass. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 2 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 2 to 6 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 2 to 6 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Rock Bass fishing at Yakima River
Start shallow in spring: rock bass sit in 1 to 6 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 6 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 6 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Inside bend (mile 9.9): a point around 5 ft that scores prime in summer. Best bite is the evening. A ned rig (small) or a marabou jig covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 6 ft | midday & dawn | 1/16 oz jig + grub, Small inline spinner |
| Summer | 2 to 6 ft | dusk | Ned rig (small), Marabou jig |
| Fall | 2 to 6 ft | midday | Small tube jig, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 2 to 6 ft | midday | Tungsten jig + plastic, Small spoon + spike |
Notable structure
- Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 2.5): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 5.2): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 8.6): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 11.1): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 13.3): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 16.7): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 18.8): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Channel swing (mile 15.0): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Current seam (mile 7.0): current seam, around 5 ft
- Eddy pocket (mile 4.0): eddy pocket, around 5 ft
- Inside bend (mile 9.9): point, around 5 ft
- Channel swing (mile 12.2): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Current seam (mile 17.8): current seam, around 5 ft
Common questions
How deep is Yakima River?
Yakima River is about 6 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in Yakima River?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, rock bass on Yakima River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Yakima River?
Current seam (mile 7.0) is the top-rated area: a current seam in about 5 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Yakima River?
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.
Nearby waters
Wenas Lake · Meadow Lake · Lake Cortez · Evergreen Reservoir · Burke Lake · Quincy Lake
See how Yakima River stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Washington · best rainbow trout lakes in Washington
Browse all Washington fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.