Top 10 Freshwater Fish to Catch in West Coast
Top 10 Species
These are the fish that get noticed by FishyAF anglers. Click any species to deep dive and learn more.
1
Rainbow Trout
Verified
World Record
48 lb 0 oz
Sean Konrad / 2009
Lake Diefenbaker, Saskatchewan
Sean Konrad / 2009
Lake Diefenbaker, Saskatchewan
Signature Fact
Siblings from one nest can grow up as 8-inch creek fish or 20‑plus‑pound ocean‑run steelhead, then spawn together.
2
Chinook Salmon
Verified
World Record
97 lb 4 oz
Les Anderson / 1985
Kenai River, Alaska
Les Anderson / 1985
Kenai River, Alaska
Signature Fact
Laboratory magnets made juvenile Chinook aim as if 'teleported' north or south, proving they navigate by Earth's field.
3
Largemouth Bass
Verified
World Record
22 lb 4 oz
Manabu Kurita / 2009
Lake Biwa, Japan
Manabu Kurita / 2009
Lake Biwa, Japan
Signature Fact
High-speed videos show they snap their mouth fully open in about 30 milliseconds, vacuuming prey from 3 inches.
4
Smallmouth Bass
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
11 lb 15 oz
David L. Hayes / 1955
Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee
David L. Hayes / 1955
Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee
Signature Fact
In winter, they huddle in massive "sleep piles"-hundreds nose-to-current, barely twitching for weeks.
5
Steelhead
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
42 lb 2 oz
Karl Mauser / 1970
Bulkley River, British Columbia
Karl Mauser / 1970
Bulkley River, British Columbia
Signature Fact
Unlike their salmon cousins, many survive spawning and do it again-some return to spawn up to three times.
6
Cutthroat trout
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
41 lb 0 oz
John Skimmerhorn / 1925
Pyramid Lake, Nevada, USA
John Skimmerhorn / 1925
Pyramid Lake, Nevada, USA
Signature Fact
The heaviest cutthroat ever verified came from Pyramid Lake's Lahontan strain, a freak of freshwater heft topping 40 pounds.
7
Tiger Trout
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
20 lb 13 oz
Lloyd Tanner / 2003
Scofield Reservoir, Utah
Lloyd Tanner / 2003
Scofield Reservoir, Utah
Signature Fact
Born sterile, tiger trout skip spawning entirely and channel that energy into freakish growth and unapologetic aggression.
8
Yellowstone Cuthroat
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
16 lb 2 oz
Edward B. Johnston / 1984
Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming
Edward B. Johnston / 1984
Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming
Signature Fact
At their peak, an estimated 3.5-4 million cruised Yellowstone Lake-then jammed tributaries in blizzard-thick spawning runs.
9
Northern Pike Minnow
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
5 lb 14 oz
James M. Linder / 1987
Columbia River, Washington
James M. Linder / 1987
Columbia River, Washington
Signature Fact
Anglers get cash bounties for them, with special tagged fish paying $500 a head-yes, a minnow bounty.
10
Largescale Sucker
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
11 lb 5 oz
John Skidmore / 1994
Columbia River, Washington
John Skidmore / 1994
Columbia River, Washington
Signature Fact
Trout treat their feeding plumes like dinner bells-smart anglers drift nymphs right behind a rooting largescale.
FAQs
What fish can you catch in West Coast?
You’ll find rainbow trout, chinook salmon, largemouth and smallmouth bass, steelhead, and more in West Coast freshwater.
What is the best time of year to fish in West Coast?
Spring through early fall usually brings the most action for most West Coast freshwater species.
Where are the best places to fish in West Coast?
Hit any West Coast freshwater rivers or lakes holding trout, bass, or salmon. The region is loaded with good spots.
What gear do you need for fishing in West Coast?
Pack spinning or baitcasting setups for bass and trout. Go heavier if you’re chasing chinook salmon or steelhead.
What are the easiest fish to catch in West Coast?
Largemouth bass, northern pikeminnow, and largescale sucker are usually the most beginner-friendly in West Coast freshwater.
