Yale Reservoir

Yale Reservoir was formed after the completion of Yale Dam by Pacific Power and Light in 1953.The main attraction at this reservoir is Kokanee. Although there are four boat ramps on the reservoir, the water level fluctuates making access by boat difficult at times.

This reservoir is located on the North Fork Lewis River. Shallow fishing for kokanee is best in the spring and fall; in the summer months deep fishing is the best method. Coastal Cutthroat Trout can be caught near the mouth of Siouxon Creek.

There are some Bull Trout in the reservoir. All Bull Trout and Dolly Varden must be released. PacifiCorp operates all boat launch facilities at Saddle Dam, Yale, Cougar Camp and Beaver Bay. Fees are required to launch on weekends.All ramps may be out of the water when the lake level is lowered. Call (800) 547-1501 for updated reservoir levels.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Kokanee fishng is very poor from shore.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Cowlitz
Acreage: 3612.10 ac.
Elevation: 486 ft.
Center: 45.99912, -122.320061
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

10 most recent catchable (3 fish per pound or larger) fish plants in this lake
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility

Visit the Catchable Trout Plants page for a more detailed search of trout plants in this or other bodies of water. To view or download the source data for this table visit the WDFW Fish Plants dataset on the Washington State Open Data Portal

Fishing prospects calendar

Coastal cutthroat trout (resident)

Fishing is best for Coastal Cutthroat in the spring and fall. There is a summer lull as fish move offshore into deeper waters to escape the summer heat in July and August. Catch is lowest in the late-winter while adults are spawning in tributary streams.

Kokanee

The Kokanee fishery typically lasts from April-October before the adults leave the lake to spawn in tributaries starting in late-October and early-November. Fishing is best in the spring before they move into deeper water to avoid warming water temperatures, but they can be targeted throughout the summer in deeper offshore areas near the thermocline. There may be a slight uptick in some waters in the fall as adults return to shallower water and move near shore towards spawning tributaries.