Drano Lake - WA

Drano Lake, a small Columbia River backwater near Underwood, WA, is one of the Pacific Northwest’s most reliable salmon fisheries. Known for its exceptional spring and fall Chinook returns, it draws heavy crowds during peak months and rewards precise trolling techniques.

The spring Chinook fishery begins in late March, peaking through May. These prized salmon are caught trolling herring, Super Baits, or prawns behind flashers using lead droppers or downriggers to fine-tune depth. In fall, another Chinook run provides excellent action, often accompanied by coho salmon that strike plugs and twitching jigs near the river mouth.

Drano’s small size and high salmon density make it ideal for trolling—but challenging in terms of boat traffic. Anchoring is not allowed, and anglers must continuously troll in a large rotation. Courtesy and awareness are essential, particularly during the spring peak.

Steelhead are also present in smaller numbers, mostly during summer, and are caught trolling smaller plugs or bait rigs along the margins.

Launch facilities are excellent, but space is limited and crowds form early on weekends. Regulations are strict—barbless hooks are required, and harvest rules vary by species and season. Anglers must consult WDFW emergency updates before each trip.

Despite its size, Drano Lake offers outsized opportunity for springers, fall kings, and coho in a tightly managed fishery.