Lake Merwin Kokanee Fishing Guide: Best Tactics, Gear & Seasonal Tips

Lake Merwin, nestled in the lush forested foothills of southwest Washington, is a kokanee angler’s dream. Known for its abundant and aggressive landlocked sockeye salmon, this reservoir offers some of the most consistent kokanee action in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you’re a seasoned troller or just getting started with downriggers and dodgers, or a kayak and clip weights, Lake Merwin has the potential to deliver limits—if you know where to go, what gear to use, and how to adapt to seasonal changes. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to catch more kokanee on Merwin, from trolling tactics and top lures to boat launch tips and gear recommendations.

Why Lake Merwin Is a Kokanee Fishing Hotspot

Lake Merwin is a really popular kokanee fishing location for a couple reasons. Firstly, its accessible to a lot of people. Portland, Vancouver, and other parts of Oregon and Washington are pretty close, and so it makes a good option for locals. If you’re not local and you’ve never fished in the pacific northwest, you really don’t know what you’re missing. Sure the mountains wherever you’re from are great, but Merwin and the pacific northwest will blow your socks off. It’s gorgeous up here.

Aside from the landscape, Merwin is a big lake that offers generous kokanee limits, and the salmon are bit bigger than most you’d find in Washington. Kokanee at Lake Merwin typically range from 11-16″ in length, though kokanee as large as 18″ or bigger can sometimes be found as well. These fish are the perfect size for the smoker.

When to Fish Lake Merwin for Kokanee

The best time of year to fish for kokanee on Lake Merwin is April through July. May is usually my best time of year on Merwin for hot fishing and good sized fish. You can have luck through the winter months, but it really picks up in the spring.

Getting to the lake, not just at the right time of year, but also at the right time of day is critical as well. You’ll want to get there early in the morning. Anglers will often report that the fishing will have died off by around 10 or 11 in the morning. I recommend getting there right at first light.

I should also point out that as the weather gets hotter, the kokanee go deeper. Honestly, you should be kokanee fishing with a fish finder for best results, but just know, kokanee go looking for the cooler water, and that means they’re going deeper as you’re getting more comfortable.

Best Kokanee Fishing Techniques for Lake Merwin

The best speed for kokanee trolling is between 1.0 mph and 1.8 mph. I’ve gone slightly above that and slightly below that at times and have had some success, but that’s the sweet spot. I usually start at the slower end of that and work my way up, faster and faster until I’m consistently getting bites.

When trolling, I like to do little s curves. This makes your lures speed up and slow down a little in the water, giving it a little more variation and causing kokanee to strike more. You’ll need a good downrigger, or at the very least clip weights or some sort of diver to get your dodger and lure down to the kokanee as well.

Proven Lures and Dodgers for Merwin

Pink and orange are the top lures I see people using at Lake Merwin, and I’ve had lots of success on those colors as well. If you’re not familiar with a kokanee rig, you want to have a dodger or a flasher, followed by 10-18″ of leader, then a good lure. I like the wedding rings or squid hoochie lures the best.

Rod, Reel, and Tackle Recommendations

For your rod, you want a super light action. That extra bend helps with hooking into kokanee. Here you can see our reviews of some of the top rods used for kokanee fishing. I like to use 8lb monofilament line when trolling for kokanee.

Where to Launch and Fish on Lake Merwin

The best place to put your boat in as at the Speelyai boat ramp. I like putting in here because of how quick you can get into the fish from the time your boat hits the water. Merwin Reservoir Park and Cresap Bay Park are other popular areas. You’ll find decent parking and restrooms at any of these areas.

I’ve had the best luck fishing for kokanee near the dam at Lake Merwin. You can also have good luck right in the Speelyai Bay, not far from where you’ll most likely put your boat in. Another good area is around Woodland Park. The water in this part of the lake tends to be more clear, which can help kokanee find your lure and strike.

Honestly, other fishermen might not like me saying this, but if there are a lot of boats in one area, there are probably a lot of fish in that one area. Go join the fray. Have good boating manners, but go get into the hot fishing with everyone else.

Kokanee Fishing Regulations at Lake Merwin

• Season: Open year-round.
• Daily Limit: Anglers can keep up to 10 kokanee per day.
• Size Restrictions: No minimum size limit for kokanee.
• Gear Restrictions: Two-pole fishing is allowed
• Special Notes: All bull trout and Dolly Varden must be released immediately if caught.

For the most up-to-date information, including any emergency rule changes, consult the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s fishing regulations page before your trip. While I do my best to keep this regulation section up to date, telling an officer that some guy on the internet said this was the rules won’t get you out of a ticket.

Other Fish You can Find in Lake Merwin

Main Species

• Tiger Muskie – Large, aggressive; stocked to control pikeminnow. Commonly targeted by folks at Lake Merwin.
• Rainbow Trout – Frequently stocked; great spring/fall action. They can grow to be fairly large, with the biggest I’ve seen weighing in at over 6 lbs.

Other Species

• Cutthroat & Brown Trout – Present in deeper, cooler areas.
• Bass (Largemouth & Smallmouth) – Found near structure; active in warmer months.
• Northern Pikeminnow – Abundant, but not commonly targeted.
• Coho & Chinook Salmon – Landlocked populations available.
• Bull Trout – Not common, but all bull trout must be released.
• Dolly Varden – Few and far between, but all Dolly Varden must be released.

Nearby Kokanee Lakes

• Yale Lake
  • Distance: ~5 miles northeast
  • Drive Time: ~10 minutes
  • Yale Lake is located just upstream on the Lewis River, and its easily accessible via State Route 503. It’s so close to Lake Merwin that people often will go kokanee fishing at Yale Lake on the same trip or even the same day.
• Swift Reservoir
  • Distance: ~28 miles northeast
  • Drive Time: ~45 minutes
  • Situated further upstream on the Lewis River, Swift Reservoir offers a more tranquil setting for anglers seeking kokanee and other species.

Conclusion: Lake Merwin Kokanee Fishing is a Blast

Lake Merwin stands out as one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier kokanee fisheries, offering consistent action, scenic beauty, and excellent access. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or just getting started, the lake’s well-stocked kokanee population and manageable size make it an ideal destination. To boost your success, dial in your trolling depth, experiment with color combinations, and keep a close eye on water temperatures—these small adjustments can make a big difference. Don’t forget to bring along proven gear like dodgers, hoochies, and scented corn for best results.

Planning a trip soon? Check out our recommended kokanee trolling rods, dodgers, and lures to gear up for your next outing.

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Lance. I used to live in the Portland Metro area (Hillsboro) and Lake Merwin and Yale Lake were often targets for me. I’ve fished for kokanee salmon all over the United States, and have been writing for this website for about 5 years now. Kokanee fishing is my passion, and I’ve worked to learn as much about it as I can, to help new anglers and to further kokanee conservation efforts.