Cowlitz Fish Report
Get the latest information on fish returns and sorting throughout the Cowlitz River system. Tacoma Power’s weekly Cowlitz Fish Report includes fish counts and releases at key locations, along with current river flow, water visibility and temperature below Mayfield Dam.
Weekly Fish Report
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Last week, Tacoma Power employees recovered 22 Coho adults, eight Coho jacks, 34 Summer-run Steelhead, 138 Spring Chinook adults, 11 Spring Chinook jacks, 67 Spring Chinook mini jacks, 50 Fall Chinook adults, 16 Fall Chinook jacks, and 13 Cutthroat trout over five days of operations at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery separator.
During the past week, Tacoma Power employees released ten Coho adults, one Coho jack, 31 Spring Chinook adults, two Spring Chinook jacks, and three Cutthroat trout into Lake Scanewa at the Copper Canyon release site and they released 35 Spring Chinook adults and three Spring Chinook jacks at Franklin Bridge in Packwood. In addition, Tacoma Power employees released six Coho adults, six Coho jacks, 52 Spring Chinook adults, and three Spring Chinook jacks into the Cispus River near Yellowjacket Creek.
Tacoma Power employees released four Coho adults, one Coho jack, three Cutthroat trout, 37 Fall Chinook adults, and 14 Fall Chinook jacks into the Tilton River at Bremer Bridge.
As of Friday, September 4, 2026, Tacoma Power has recycled 1,912 Summer-run Steelhead and five Spring Chinook adults this season to the I-5 boat launch in Toledo.
River flow below Mayfield Dam is 3,460 cubic feet per second on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Water visibility is eight feet and water temperature is 53.8 (F). River flows could change at any time so boaters and anglers should remain alert for this possibility.
Cowlitz Fish Data
Hatchery-Associated Production (HAP)
Cowlitz Restoration and Recovery grant funding is available for hatchery-associated production (HAP) projects or activities that lead to on-the-ground projects. The 2026 grant round is closed. Year-round engagement is encouraged to prepare for future grant rounds.