7-day U.S. Geological Survey chart
Recent flow
Discharge
2,090 cfs1,390 cfs
Sep 4Sep 11
Latest reading: 1,390 cfs. Falling over about 6 hours. Chart covers Sep 4 through Sep 11; readings are provisional and may be revised.
All Washington reports
Yakima River Fishing Report — Washington
Photo: Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington Opens in a new tab. · CC BY 2.0
Should I go fishing?
Check the water temperature first.
Water temperature is unconfirmed. Use a stream thermometer; stop trout fishing at 70°F or warmer, or sooner if fish show stress.
Fishing rating78
Rating updatedRiver local time:
Why this recommendation?
USGS shows 1,390 cfs. The flow has been stable over about 6 hours. USGS marks this reading provisional and may revise it. USGS records for this date (1934-2025, 92 readings) show a median near 1,800 cfs and the lower quartile near 1,410 cfs; today's flow is below normal for the date. This is below normal, so edge depth, temperature, and pressure matter.
Available live dataHighHow much of the live flow, weather, and alert data came back.
Confidence in this recommendationMediumWater temperature not verified; do not use this score to clear warm-water risk.
Usually checks again about every 45 minutes
If you go
- Check first
- Use Umtanum flow for the Yakima Canyon float and wade decision.
- Try
- Choose float or wade based on Umtanum flow before choosing flies.
- Leave when
- Skip or shorten the Yakima when flow changes make the chosen wade unsafe, when wind turns a float into a control problem, when summer heat threatens trout recovery, or when salmon-related rules create confusion outside the trout plan.
Flow and weather
Showing server-checked river conditions while current readings refresh.
- Flow
- 1,390 cfs
- Falling over about 6 hoursU.S. Geological Survey may revise this reading
- Air forecast
- 62°F
- Next 24h high
- 72.0°F
NWS air forecast near
- Rain chance
- 0%
This is an air forecast, not a river-temperature reading. Check the water with a stream thermometer before fishing in hot weather.
Latest stored weather check
Mostly Cloudy
- Wind
- 0 mph
- Weather checked
More forecast and source details
Mostly Cloudy
National Weather Service
Yakima River at Umtanum, Washington
The National Weather Service forecast is temporarily unavailable.
Live data
Where these readings come from
Current U.S. Geological Survey gauge: Yakima River at Umtanum
Falling over about 6 hoursU.S. Geological Survey may revise this readingObserved
Flies for this time of year
Seasonal starting points, not a live hatch report. Match what you see on the water.
- Grasshopper PatternsFoam hopperView fly guide ↗
- Ant PatternsantView fly guide ↗
- Beetle PatternsbeetleView fly guide ↗
- X-CaddisView fly guide ↗
- Trout Streamer Patternssmall streamerView fly guide ↗
See flies for every season
SeasonWhat to look forFlies to try
February to April
What to look forMidges, BWOs, Skwalas, March Browns, and early caddis
Flies to try
May to June
What to look forCaddis, PMDs, Yellow Sallies, stoneflies, and evening risers
July to SeptemberThis season
What to look forHoppers, ants, beetles, crane flies, caddis, and low-light dries
Flies to try
October to January
What to look forOctober caddis, BWOs, midges, and slow winter nymph windows
Flies to try
Each fly name opens its matching Fly Box guide.
More fishing tips
Methods, fish species and trip notes
How to fish Yakima River today.
The best Yakima days match stable flow, trout-safe temperatures, and a clear access plan. Wind and irrigation changes can matter as much as the hatch.
Stable canyon flow
Best for matching dries, nymphs, and float speed.
High irrigation flow
Float planning improves, but wading can become unsafe.
Low clear flow
Use longer leaders, smaller flies, and careful bank approaches.
Hot weather
Fish early, check temperature, and stop trout handling when water is stressful.
Wading, bank fishing or floating?
Access choicesNo single best option
Wading and Floating have the same top score. Use current access, footing, weather, and local rules to choose.
Wading78/100
Wading is in play only where your chosen access has clear footing, legal entry, and no forced crossings.
Bank fishingNot recommended
This report does not recommend bank fishing on this reach.
Floating78/100
A float is in play where this report supports boat access and wind, releases, and shuttle logistics are manageable.
Full river report
Is Yakima River worth the trip today? Check flow, weather, hatches, access, and rules for Washington before you go.
The Yakima is the most straightforward trout report in this Washington group, but it still needs current flow, temperature, and WDFW rule checks. Use Umtanum for canyon flow and match the day to hatches, wind, and safe access.
Fishing words used on this page
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gauge
- A USGS gauge is an official river station that measures flow or water height.
- Cubic feet per second (cfs)
- Cubic feet per second, or cfs, shows how much water passes the gauge each second.
- Nymph
- A nymph is a young water insect. Anglers also use the word for a fly that copies it.
- Riffle
- A riffle is shallow, fast water broken by rocks.
- Blue-winged olive (BWO)
- Blue-winged olives, or BWOs, are small mayflies that often hatch in cool or cloudy weather.
- Caddis
- Caddis are small water insects. The adults look a little like tiny moths.
- Emerger
- An emerger copies an insect as it rises from below the water toward the surface.
- Midge
- Midges are tiny flies and a common trout food, especially in cold water.
- Pale morning dun (PMD)
- Pale morning duns, or PMDs, are light-colored mayflies that often hatch in warmer months.
- River reach
- A reach is one named section of a river or stream.
Why this call
Why this score
FlowUse caution
USGS shows 1,390 cfs. The flow has been stable over about 6 hours. USGS marks this reading provisional and may revise it. USGS records for this date (1934-2025, 92 readings) show a median near 1,800 cfs and the lower quartile near 1,410 cfs; today's flow is below normal for the date. This is below normal, so edge depth, temperature, and pressure matter.
SeasonHelps
Fall: October caddis, BWOs, and streamer windows improve as water cools.
WeatherHelps
The current NWS air forecast is about 62F, and the next 24-hour high reaches about 72F. Mostly Cloudy.
Public alertsHelps
No active NWS alert was returned for this forecast point.
Fishing usefulnessHelps
Skip or shorten the Yakima when flow changes make the chosen wade unsafe, when wind turns a float into a control problem, when summer heat threatens trout recovery, or when salmon-related rules create confusion outside the trout plan.
Trip notes
Check these before you choose a reach.
Use USGS 12484500 at Umtanum as the core canyon trend. Stable moderate flows are the easiest fit. High irrigation water favors experienced floats and edge tactics, while very low or warm water should shift the plan to dawn, shade, or another option.
Skip or shorten the Yakima when flow changes make the chosen wade unsafe, when wind turns a float into a control problem, when summer heat threatens trout recovery, or when salmon-related rules create confusion outside the trout plan.
Pick the access style first: Umtanum for a canyon base, BLM recreation sites for bank and launch planning, or upper trout water only after matching flows to the reach. Then choose dries, nymphs, or streamers based on the hatch window.
If the Yakima is too high, too warm, or too windy, compare the Wenatchee only after rule checks, the Spokane for an eastern Washington redband option, or the Missouri as a larger tailwater-style trout benchmark.
Yakima River access and rules.
Use these places as starting points. Open the access link below and check posted signs before you park or enter.
Before you go
Check WDFW rules and emergency rules before fishing the Yakima, especially for trout reaches, salmon closures, selective gear, temperature, and access rules.
Where to access the river
Umtanum Recreation Area
Core canyon access and the primary flow-reference area.
Bighorn, Lmuma, and Roza context
Common canyon float and wade planning references.
Cle Elum and upper river
Different flow and access character. Check reach rules first.
- Irrigation releases can make wading harder even on familiar bars.
- Canyon wind can turn a simple float into a hard row.
- Use BLM or official recreation information for camping, parking, and fire restrictions.
Sources and report details
Official agencies and primary river operators come first. Secondary tools are labeled so you know what carries the most weight.
Rules and closures
Check what is allowed, where the rule applies, and whether the river is open.
Flow and weather
Check the latest river reading and forecast before you leave.
Access and land
Check public entry points, land rules, and seasonal access changes.
See all 7 checked sources
Rules and closures
Check what is allowed, where the rule applies, and whether the river is open.
What this source covers
Open the current rules and check the river section, season, and special limits.
What this source covers
Open the current rules and check the river section, season, and special limits.
What this source covers
Open the current rules and check the river section, season, and special limits.
Flow and weather
Check the latest river reading and forecast before you leave.
What this source covers
Open this page and check the latest safety advice before your trip.
What this source covers
Open this river reading to check the latest level, flow, and update time.
Access and land
Check public entry points, land rules, and seasonal access changes.
What this source covers
Open the land or access page, then check signs before you park or enter.
What this source covers
Open the land or access page, then check signs before you park or enter.
How this report was checked
How this report was checked
Reviewed byBlueStreamFly River Review Team
Trip guidance checked
What was checked: This report is maintained from current regulation, access, flow, weather, and public planning sources so anglers can make better trip decisions than a raw gauge or generic overview would allow.
Live measurements and forecasts keep their provider timestamps. Rules, access, and trip guidance use the source-review date shown here. BlueStreamFly planning advice is editorial interpretation, not an agency notice.
First-hand experience: BlueStreamFly does not claim a first-hand visit or local field test for this report unless a real contributor is explicitly named and linked.
Quick questions
What should I check before fishing Yakima River?
WDFW rules, Umtanum flow, irrigation changes, water temperature, wind, and canyon access
Which flow should I use for Yakima River?
Use USGS 12484500 Yakima River at Umtanum for the canyon float and wade decision.
Where should I start on Yakima River?
Start with Umtanum, Bighorn, Lmuma, Roza, or Cle Elum after matching the plan to current flow.
Can I wade Yakima River?
Yes in many canyon reaches at suitable flows, but irrigation releases and slick rocks can make wading unsafe.