Where to Go Fly Fishing in Washington in December
Updated on December 4, 2025
The cold of December is sneaking in but there are still some excellent fly fishing options available for anglers able to get some days on the water. The highlights are hatchery winter steelhead, some late season summer steelhead, the Yakima is still a viable option and some trout lakes certainly fish good in December as well. Time your fishing around warmer periods if possible. Usually there is a week or two of reasonably warn days in December and these can be the most productive days (and most comfortable days) to be out there.
Steelhead
December holds plenty of opportunity for steelhead anglers. The beginning of the hatchery winter steelhead run is underway on the Olympic Peninsula rivers like the Bogachiel, Calawah, and Sol Duc. More local to us, the Skykomish has a few winter steelhead showing up but the number is still pretty low. This should build up throughout December and January. The Skagit will also get some attention in December as the early part of the season gets underway. The Cowlitz and Kalama also hold some opportunity here and are a reasonable drive for anglers in our area for a day of fishing.
Summer steelhead are not over yet for anglers willing to take a drive. Tributaries to the Columbia, like the Grand Ronde, John Day, and Deschutes can have excellent steelhead fishing in December when a few warmer days come up. If you can jump in the truck and hit the river during these warmer periods, the fishing can be quite good without freezing your hands off in the process.
Whitehorse Mountain is a great backdrop on this clear winter day on the Sauk River.
Trout Rivers
The Yakima is running in the low 40's in the morning and warms up when daytime temps allow it to do so. Early December is a good time to fish nymphs, streamers, egg patterns and worms. Usually, the later part of the day will have more active fish willing to move to the fly. Things will likely get tougher on the fishing and the angler as we get further into December and temperatures get lower. A trout Spey rod and a box of streamers would be a good time on the Yak with a few stops to nymph below any ledges and drop-offs behind riffles. Still keep an eye out for rising fish that may be working a midge hatch.
Rocky Ford can be a good option in December as well. Again, when temperatures aren't too extreme, fishing the Ford can be really good with the comparatively stable water temperatures in this spring creek fishery. Small midge pupa, scuds and streamers in white or black are the most commonly effective flies.
It is a good time of year to swing streamers on the Skagit or Sauk for bull trout. A trout Spey rod does this perfectly but a single-hand 6-7 weight does the trick as well.
Sometimes you just have to get out of the house despite the weather forecast. Here, Jordan's pontoon boat patiently waits to continue their journey down the Skagit River while searching for winter steelhead.
Trout Lakes
Our local trout lake scene is decent in December. Most notably are Pass Lake and Lone Lake. We've heard some reports of tough fishing on Lone, however. Pass Lake has traditionally been pretty decent this time of year with full sinking lines and leech patterns fished on the deeper side, like 18-20 feet of water. Be ready for very subtle takes when water temperatures are cold. Give a quick strip set when you feel something that could be a strike just to make sure.
Puget Sound Beaches
Puget Sound beaches have been fishing well for cutthroat for our man, Maveryke on his trips to the southern portion of the sound. Read his new article on how to get started fishing Puget Sound beaches for sea-run cutts.
Where to Go Fly Fishing in Washington in December - Revised on December 4, 2025