Spring brings a surge of fishing opportunities across the Western United States. As waters warm, fish become more active, creating some of the best fishing conditions of the year. Whether you’re after trophy trout in Montana, big bass in California, or steelhead in Oregon, the West has diverse fisheries for every angler.
Let’s dive into the best spring fishing locations and strategies across the region.
Pacific Northwest: Washington, Oregon, Idaho
Washington’s Steelhead & Trout Action
Spring marks the return of steelhead runs in rivers like the Skagit and Cowlitz. Anglers also find excellent trout fishing in lakes such as Lake Chelan and Potholes Reservoir.
Best Tactic: Drift fishing with cured salmon eggs or swinging streamers for steelhead.
Oregon’s Famous Spring Chinook & Trout Fishing
The Columbia River hosts one of the best spring Chinook salmon runs in the country, while central Oregon’s Deschutes River offers world-class trout fishing.
Recommended Bait: Trolling herring or anchovies for Chinook; dry flies for trout.
Idaho’s Wild Rivers & Lakes
The Snake River and Henry’s Fork offer excellent opportunities for trout and bass fishing. Dworshak Reservoir is known for trophy smallmouth bass in spring.
Hot Tip: Use jerkbaits and tube jigs for smallmouth bass in rocky areas.
Rocky Mountain States: Montana, Wyoming, Colorado
Montana’s Blue-Ribbon Trout Streams
Rivers like the Madison and Yellowstone provide prime fly fishing for brown and rainbow trout. Spring runoff can be challenging, but tailwaters remain productive.
Top Lure: Nymphs and streamers for early-season trout in clear water.
Wyoming’s Trophy Lake Trout & Cutthroat Fishing
Flaming Gorge Reservoir and Jackson Lake are hotspots for massive lake trout and native cutthroat trout.
Best Strategy: Deep trolling with swimbaits for lake trout.
Colorado’s High-Elevation Bass & Trout Fishing
Spinney Mountain Reservoir and Eleven Mile Reservoir provide incredible action for trout and northern pike, while bass anglers do well at Pueblo Reservoir.
Go-To Lure: Lipless crankbaits for bass; spoons for trout in deep water.
Southwest States: California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah
California’s Legendary Bass & Trout Lakes
The California Delta, Clear Lake, and Lake Shasta are prime spring fisheries for largemouth and spotted bass, while the Sierra Nevada’s rivers produce trophy trout.
Key Bait: Spinnerbaits and Senkos for bass; salmon eggs for trout.
Nevada’s Desert Fishing Gems
Lake Mead and Pyramid Lake offer outstanding spring fishing for striped bass and Lahontan cutthroat trout, respectively.
Top Technique: Casting swimbaits for stripers in warming shallows.
Arizona’s Springtime Bass & Catfish Bite
Lake Havasu and Roosevelt Lake provide some of the best spring bass fishing in the Southwest, while the Colorado River produces monster catfish.
Recommended Gear: Carolina rigs for bass; cut bait for big flatheads.
New Mexico & Utah’s Trout & Walleye Hotspots
Navajo Lake and Flaming Gorge Reservoir hold excellent populations of trout and walleye, with spring being one of the most productive times to fish.
Best Approach: Jigging live minnows for walleye in transition areas.
Spring Fishing Gear & Lure Recommendations
- Bass Fishing: Jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, and soft plastics for aggressive pre-spawn fish.
- Trout Fishing: Spinners, flies, and live bait for stocked and wild trout.
- Salmon & Steelhead Fishing: Drifted roe, swimbaits, and spoons for migrating fish.
- Walleye Fishing: Jigs tipped with minnows and deep-diving crankbaits.
Final Thoughts: Experience the West’s Best Spring Fishing
Spring is a prime time to hit the water in the Western U.S. Whether you’re chasing bass in California, battling steelhead in Oregon, or landing a trophy trout in Montana, this season provides some of the most exciting fishing action of the year.
Get your gear ready, plan your trips, and take advantage of the fantastic spring fishing opportunities the West has to offer!
