Lunker Navigation

Clearwater River - (Washington) Olympic Peninsula

Updated October 20, 2025

clearwater river

🎣 Fishing Spot: Clearwater River, Olympic Peninsula

đŸžïž General Details About the Clearwater River

The Clearwater River is one of the Olympic Peninsula's most remote and pristine steelhead streams, flowing approximately 32 miles from its glacial headwaters high in the Olympic Mountains through untouched wilderness before joining the Queets River near the community of Clearwater. The Clearwater—aptly named for its typically clear water despite glacial origins—represents steelhead fishing in its purest, most primitive form: no hatcheries, no development, no crowds, and no compromises with civilization.

What makes the Clearwater extraordinary among Olympic Peninsula tributaries is its protected wilderness character. The entire upper watershed flows through Olympic National Park, with much of the lower river surrounded by national forest and minimal private land. This protection has preserved the river's pristine condition and created a wild steelhead fishery operating exactly as nature intended, without human manipulation through hatchery programs or habitat modifications.

Unlike the massive main-stem rivers like the Queets or Quinault, the Clearwater is a medium-sized tributary—substantial enough to hold significant steelhead runs but small enough to fish effectively from shore in many sections. This size creates ideal conditions for technical pocket water fishing, precision casting, and intimate encounters with wild fish in close quarters. When you hook a steelhead in the Clearwater, you're often fighting fish in water you can wade across.

The Clearwater is partially glacier-fed, receiving meltwater from snowfields and small glaciers in its headwaters. However, it doesn't carry the heavy sediment loads of larger glacier-fed systems like the Queets or Hoh. The river's name reflects reality—even with glacial influence, the Clearwater typically maintains better clarity than its neighbors, clearing faster after storms and remaining fishable during periods when larger rivers are blown out with sediment.

The river system supports an estimated 3,000-6,000 wild steelhead returning annually—entirely native fish with no hatchery supplementation. Every steelhead you encounter has been born in the river, smolted naturally, survived years in the ocean, and returned to spawn without human intervention. This is 100% wild steelhead fishing. All steelhead must be released immediately.

The Clearwater flows through approximately 25-30 miles of fishable water, though "fishable" requires qualification. Upper sections within Olympic National Park are accessible only via multi-day backpacking trips on primitive trails. Middle sections require negotiating rough logging roads and hiking to reach water. Lower sections near the Queets confluence offer the most accessible fishing but still demand rugged vehicles and willingness to hike. This is not drive-up, park-and-fish water.

The Clearwater is notably more intimate and technical than main-stem rivers. Where the Queets features 200-yard tailouts and powerful hydraulics, the Clearwater offers 30-50 foot pocket water runs, boulder gardens, plunge pools, and tight casting lanes. This river rewards precision over power, stealth over brute force, and reading water over covering vast amounts of real estate. It's chess, not checkers.

🌟 Why the Clearwater River Is Special

đŸ’” Cost and Access (2025)

The Clearwater River is managed by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), with upper sections flowing through Olympic National Park. Access is challenging, costs are minimal beyond licensing, but self-sufficiency and proper equipment are essential.

đŸŽ« 2025 Licensing and Access Fees

Item Cost Notes
WA Freshwater License (Annual) $35.50 (Resident) Required for anyone 15+
WA Freshwater License (Annual) $84.00 (Non-Resident) Out-of-state anglers
Two-Pole Endorsement $20.35 (Add-on) Allows second rod
Steelhead Catch Record Card Included with license REQUIRED; must be in possession while fishing
Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement Included Required for anadromous fish
One-Day Fishing License $13.00 (Resident) / $24.00 (Non-Resident) Good option for visiting anglers
Olympic National Park Entry $30/vehicle (7-day pass) Required for upper river wilderness access
Olympic National Park Annual Pass $55 Good value for frequent visitors
Backcountry Permit (ONP) Free (required) For overnight trips in park wilderness
High-Clearance Vehicle Recommended/Essential Rough logging roads—2WD often insufficient
Nearest Services Amanda Park (15-20 miles) Very limited—plan accordingly

Critical 2024-25 Regulations (EMERGENCY RULES IN EFFECT):

  • NO BAIT ALLOWED: Selective gear rules prohibit all bait, scents, and scented materials
  • Single-Point Barbless Hooks ONLY: No treble hooks; only one hook per lure/rig
  • Release ALL Steelhead: 100% catch-and-release (no hatchery program—all fish are wild)
  • NO RETENTION of steelhead: All steelhead must be released immediately
  • Wild Fish Handling: Do not remove steelhead fully from water before release
  • APRIL-MAY CLOSURE: Clearwater closed to ALL fishing April 1 - May 31, 2025
  • Season: December 1, 2024 - March 31, 2025 (then closed April-May)
  • Upper Park Sections: Additional Olympic National Park regulations may apply

Where to Buy Licenses: Online at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov or at limited retailers in Amanda Park/Quinault area (very limited stock—buy online before arriving).

CRITICAL ACCESS NOTES:

Road Conditions:

Upper River (Olympic National Park):

Lower River:

CRITICAL: Always check WDFW Emergency Rules (https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/emergency-rules) before every trip. The Clearwater is remote—violations carry steep fines and you may not see enforcement for days, but consequences are serious.

🐟 Species and Seasonal Timing

The Clearwater supports wild anadromous runs throughout the year, with winter steelhead being the primary draw. All steelhead fishing is catch-and-release only. The river's glacial character significantly impacts seasonal timing and fishability.

Species Peak Season Notes
Winter Steelhead (Wild Only) December – March (Peak: January-February) The Clearwater produces 100% wild winter steelhead with no hatchery supplementation. Estimated 3,000-6,000 fish return annually. Fish average 8-14 pounds with frequent specimens reaching 18-22 pounds and occasional giants to 25+ pounds. These are powerful, aggressive wild fish perfectly adapted to the river's technical pocket water. ALL STEELHEAD MUST BE RELEASED—100% CATCH-AND-RELEASE. Cannot remove fish fully from water. Best flows: 600-2,500 cfs. The Clearwater is unfishable during heavy glacial runoff (typically late spring-summer) and during storm blow-outs.
Summer Steelhead July – September (Peak: August) Limited summer run compared to winter fish, but excellent when conditions allow. Fish average 6-10 pounds. Summer steelhead hold in faster, oxygenated pocket water and are aggressive toward flies and hardware. Catch-and-release ONLY. Timing is critical—glacial melt often renders river unfishable during warmest periods. Best during stable cool weather after glacier has "shut off." Very low pressure makes this a hidden gem when fishable.
Coho (Silver) Salmon October – November (Peak: November) Good run of coho averaging 6-10 pounds. Aggressive strikers that provide excellent action in the Clearwater's technical water. More willing to hit presentations than Chinook. Retention may be allowed—check current regulations for dates and limits. Found in tailouts, runs, and deeper pockets. Often overlooked due to focus on steelhead.
Chum (Dog) Salmon November – December Solid late-season run of chum averaging 8-12 pounds, arriving in schools. Very aggressive toward swung flies—excellent technical fly fishing in pocket water. Overlooked by steelhead anglers but provide great action. Check retention regulations—typically no retention.
Cutthroat Trout (Sea-Run) June – October Beautiful native fish averaging 10-16 inches with specimens to 20+ inches. Found in riffles, pocket water, and pools throughout river. Excellent on dry flies, small spinners, and spoons. Daily limit: 2 fish over 14 inches. Outstanding warm-season fishing when glacial flows permit.
Dolly Varden / Bull Trout September – December Dolly Varden and Bull Trout present (can be difficult to distinguish). Fish average 12-18 inches. Feed behind spawning salmon on dislodged eggs. CRITICAL: Bull trout are federally protected—must be released immediately. Dolly Varden regulations vary—when in doubt, release all char species. Found in deeper pools and slower water.
Rainbow Trout (Resident) Year-Round Wild resident rainbows present throughout system. Fish average 6-12 inches with occasional larger specimens. Good action during summer when anadromous runs slow. Standard trout techniques. Check limits—typically 5 per day but verify.

Flow Considerations:
The Clearwater is partially glacier-fed and responds to both glacial melt and precipitation. Ideal winter steelhead flows: 600-2,500 cfs. Below 500 cfs, the river becomes low with spooky fish in clear water. Above 3,000 cfs, fishing becomes difficult. Above 4,000 cfs, dangerous and often unfishable.

Glacial Influence:
During warm spring and summer weather, glacial melt can render the Clearwater unfishable with cloudy water and high flows. However, the Clearwater typically clears faster than larger glacier-fed systems like the Queets or Hoh. The river generally fishes best in winter (December-March) when glaciers are dormant, and during stable cool periods in fall.

Storm Response:
The Clearwater rises quickly during rain events—often 1,500-2,500 cfs increases within 12-24 hours. It also drops relatively quickly, typically clearing within 2-4 days after storms if no additional rain arrives. This makes timing critical.

Monitoring Flows:
Check USGS gauge #12040500 (Clearwater River near Clearwater, WA) daily before trips. The sweet spot: flows dropping from 3,000+ cfs to 1,000-2,000 cfs with clearing water. These windows may last only 3-7 days before another storm or glacial pulse.

Water Temperature:
Winter water temps typically range 38-44°F. Steelhead are most aggressive at 42-48°F. The glacial influence keeps water cold, which benefits steelhead but can slow metabolism when temps drop below 40°F.

Best Fishing Windows:

🎯 Mastering the Clearwater: Advanced Techniques

The Clearwater's character—medium-sized technical pocket water, clear water, wild fish, glacial influence—requires specialized approaches that differ from both large main-stem rivers and small creeks. 2024-25 regulations prohibit bait, requiring focus on jigs, beads, flies, and hardware designed for technical presentations.

🎣 Technique #1: Technical Pocket Water Jig Fishing

Overview
The Clearwater is pocket water incarnate—every boulder creates a holding lie, every seam between current speeds holds fish, every plunge pool below a bedrock ledge offers opportunities. Unlike large rivers where you're making 80-foot casts to cover vast water, Clearwater fishing involves precise 15-30 foot casts into specific pockets, working each lie thoroughly before moving to the next. Jig fishing excels because jigs sink fast, fish vertically, and can be worked through tight technical lies with precision.

When to Deploy This Technique

Tackle Setup

Best Jigs for Clearwater Pocket Water:

  1. Marabou Jigs: 1/8-3/8 oz in pink, purple, cerise, black, orange
  2. Soft Plastic Jigs: 3-4 inch worms (pink, purple, orange) on 1/8-1/4 oz heads
  3. Yarn Jigs: Added profile and movement in current
  4. Tipped Jigs: Berkley Gulp! Maggots or Eggs (if allowed under current regulations)

Color Selection for Clear Water:

The Technique: Step-by-Step

1. Reading Clearwater Pocket Water

Every feature creates holding water:

Key Insight:
In the Clearwater's clear water, steelhead are visible in many pockets. You can often see fish before casting—adjust presentations based on fish behavior.

2. The Precision Pocket Cast

3. Systematic Pocket-to-Pocket Coverage

The Clearwater requires methodical fishing:

4. Clear Water Strike Detection

With clear water and braided line, strikes are dramatic:

Hookset in Clear Water:
Wild fish in clear water are spooky. When they commit, they commit hard. Hooksets must be firm and immediate. With barbless hooks, set twice if needed.

5. Fighting Fish in Technical Water

The Clearwater's tight quarters make landing fish challenging:

Pro Tips for Clearwater Pocket Fishing

Jig Weight by Flow:

Clear Water Tactics:

Pocket Water Strategy:

Advanced Techniques:

Common Mistakes:

🎣 Technique #2: Swinging Flies in Technical Water

Overview
While the Clearwater isn't classic swing water like broad main-stem tailouts, certain sections—particularly riffles, glides, and tail-outs—offer excellent swinging opportunities. Swinging flies through the Clearwater's technical water requires different tactics than large rivers: shorter casts, more mending, tighter control, and presentations adapted to pocket water character. This technique produces explosive strikes from aggressive wild steelhead and is THE method for summer fish.

When to Deploy This Technique

Fly Fishing Setup

Single-Hand Setup (Ideal for Clearwater's Size):

Switch Rod Setup (Versatile Option):

Spinning Setup (Spoons/Spinners):

Best Flies for Clearwater

Winter Fly Patterns:

  1. Medium Intruders: 3-4 inches in pink/orange, black/purple, purple, cerise
  2. Egg-Sucking Leeches: 3-4 inches, black with pink/orange egg
  3. Woolly Buggers: Black, purple, olive (size 4-8)
  4. Traditional Wets: Purple Peril, Green Butt Skunk (size 4-8)

Summer Fly Patterns:

  1. Surface Flies: Bombers, wakers (size 4-8)—deadly for summer fish
  2. Dry Flies: Stimulators, Chubbys (size 6-10)
  3. Small Intruders: 2-3 inches, sparse
  4. Soft Hackles: Partridge and orange (size 6-10)

Hardware:

  1. Blue Fox Pixee: Size 3 in silver/blue, pink
  2. Little Cleo: 1/4-3/8 oz in silver, copper
  3. Mepps Aglia: Size 3 in silver, brass
  4. Panther Martin: Size 3-4 in various colors

The Technique: Step-by-Step

1. The Clearwater Swing—Adapted for Technical Water

Unlike large river swings:

2. Adapting Swing to Pocket Water Runs

In tighter pocket water sections:

3. DO NOT SET THE HOOK

Classic fly fishing rule:

4. Step-Down Coverage

5. Summer Steelhead Surface Fishing

The Clearwater's summer steelhead provide exceptional surface action:

Pro Tips for Clearwater Swinging

Fly Size by Flow:

Sink Tip Selection:

Color Selection for Clear Water:

When Swinging Dominates:

Clear Water Presentation:

Common Mistakes:

🎣 Technique #3: Float Fishing with Beads (High-Precision Technique)

Overview
Float fishing with beads has become increasingly effective on clear-water technical streams like the Clearwater, particularly after bait prohibitions. By suspending beads under a float at precise depths, anglers can present natural-looking egg imitations through pocket water and runs while maintaining perfect, drag-free drifts. In the Clearwater's clear water, this technique allows you to keep float and leader away from spooky fish while delivering offerings directly into strike zones.

When to Deploy This Technique

Tackle Setup

Centerpin Setup (Optimal for Clear Water Drifts):

Spinning Setup:

Best Beads for Clearwater:

Clear Water Beads:

  1. Medium Beads: 10-12mm (smaller than big water) in natural colors—pink, peach, light orange
  2. Soft Beads: More natural appearance in clear water
  3. Matte Finish: Less flash than glossy in clear conditions

Stained Water Beads:

  1. Larger Beads: 12-14mm in hot pink, orange, cerise
  2. Glow Beads: 10-12mm—charge with flashlight
  3. High-Visibility Colors: When clarity drops

The Technique: Step-by-Step

1. Setting Depth for Clear Water

In the Clearwater's clear conditions, depth is critical:

2. Clear Water Bead Rigging

Stealth Setup for Clear Conditions:

Free-Drifting Bead (Advanced Clear Water):

3. The Precision Float Drift

4. Strike Detection

Visual strikes are obvious:

Hookset:
Firm downstream sweep. With lighter gear and barbless hooks in clear water, hooksets must be solid but controlled.

5. Float Fishing Specific Clearwater Lies

Best water for float fishing technique:

Float fishing struggles in:

Pro Tips for Clearwater Float Fishing

Float Selection:

Shot Pattern for Clear Water:

Bead Selection Strategy: Very Clear Water (4+ feet):

Moderate Clarity (2-4 feet):

Stained Water (1-2 feet):

Advanced Tactics:

When Float Fishing Dominates:

Clear Water Presentation Tips:

Common Mistakes:

🧭 Where to Fish on the Clearwater River

CRITICAL ACCESS NOTE: The Clearwater is one of the most remote steelhead streams on the Olympic Peninsula. Most access points require navigating rough logging roads (Forest Service roads) in high-clearance vehicles, often followed by hiking. Upper sections within Olympic National Park require multi-day backpacking trips. Plan accordingly.

Upper Clearwater (Olympic National Park Wilderness)
Accessed via Clearwater Trail and other backcountry trails from lower trailheads. Requires hiking 5-15+ miles into wilderness. Pristine old-growth rainforest, wild steelhead only, spectacular scenery. Extremely low fishing pressure—true wilderness experience. Summer steelhead fishing can be excellent when glacial flows cooperate. Backcountry permit required for overnight trips. Black bear country—proper food storage mandatory. Check Olympic National Park regulations. This is expert-level wilderness fishing requiring self-sufficiency and navigation skills.

Middle Clearwater (National Forest Lands)
Accessed via Forest Service roads off Clearwater Mainline Road. Multiple rough logging roads branch toward river. High-clearance vehicle essential; 4WD strongly recommended. Roads may be gated or impassable during wet weather—verify conditions before trips. Limited pullouts and parking areas. Bank access requires hiking through dense forest in many spots. Excellent wild steelhead water with very low pressure. Technical pocket water, runs, and tail-outs. This is remote fishing—bring emergency supplies, maps, GPS.

Lower Clearwater (Near Queets Confluence)
Most accessible sections of the Clearwater. Accessed via Clearwater Road from Highway 101. Still requires navigating gravel roads but more established than upper/middle sections. Bank fishing opportunities where road approaches river. Some anglers float this section, launching on Clearwater and floating to Queets River (requires shuttle and strong rowing skills). Good access to productive steelhead water. Mix of pocket water and runs. Less pressure than upper Queets but more than upper Clearwater.

Clearwater Campground Area
Primitive camping area near lower Clearwater provides base camp. Very basic facilities—pit toilets, no water, no power. Free camping but remote. Good launching point for exploring lower/middle river sections. Nearest services (limited) in Clearwater/Amanda Park area (10-15 miles).

Access Points Summary:

Upper River (ONP Wilderness):

Middle River (National Forest):

Lower River (Most Accessible):

Important Safety and Access Notes:

Road Conditions:

Self-Sufficiency Essential:

Wilderness Considerations:

Navigation:

Weather Awareness:

🧭 Summary

The Clearwater River represents steelhead fishing in its purest, most primitive form—a wild Olympic Peninsula tributary flowing through pristine wilderness, holding entirely native wild steelhead, and accessible only to anglers willing to embrace genuine adventure. With an estimated 3,000-6,000 wild steelhead returning annually and zero hatchery supplementation, the Clearwater offers one of Washington's most authentic wild steelhead experiences for those willing to meet the river on its uncompromising terms.

Unlike developed, easily-accessible rivers with paved parking lots and drive-up fishing, the Clearwater demands commitment: rough logging roads requiring high-clearance vehicles, hiking with gear through dense forest, self-sufficiency in areas with no cell service, and acceptance that you're fishing genuine wilderness. This commitment keeps all but the most dedicated anglers away, resulting in some of the lowest fishing pressure on the Olympic Peninsula.

The Clearwater's Special Character: This medium-sized tributary offers ideal technical pocket water—tight slots behind boulders, intricate seams, plunge pools, and gravel bar runs requiring precision casting and careful presentations. The river lives up to its name, typically running clearer than larger glacier-fed systems and clearing faster after storms. In the Clearwater's clear water, you can often see wild steelhead in their lies, adjusting presentations based on visible fish behavior. This is chess-match fishing at its finest.

100% Wild Fish—100% Catch-and-Release: Every Clearwater steelhead is wild, native, and must be released immediately. There is no hatchery program, no retention option. These fish average 8-14 pounds with specimens regularly reaching 18-22 pounds and occasional giants to 25+ pounds. They're powerful, beautiful, and perfectly adapted to the river's technical character.

2024-25 Regulations: The river operates under selective gear rules (no bait, no scent, single-point barbless hooks only) and ALL STEELHEAD MUST BE RELEASED immediately without full removal from water. The river closes April 1 - May 31, 2025. Upper sections within Olympic National Park may have additional restrictions.

Techniques for Success: Master technical pocket water jig fishing for precise presentations into tight lies. Learn to swing flies through the Clearwater's tail-outs and runs for explosive strikes. Perfect float fishing with beads for drag-free presentations in clear water. Each technique has its place on this diverse river.

Access Reality Check: This is not beginner-friendly fishing. The Clearwater requires:

Glacial Unpredictability: Like all glacier-influenced rivers, the Clearwater can be unfishable during warm weather glacial melt and during heavy storms. Success requires monitoring flows daily, being flexible with timing, and accepting that conditions may not cooperate. The windows of fishability—when flows drop into the 1,000-2,000 cfs range with clearing water—may last only 3-7 days before another storm or glacial pulse.

Who Should Fish the Clearwater:

Who Should Avoid the Clearwater:

For the right angler—experienced, self-sufficient, wilderness-oriented, and committed to wild fish conservation—the Clearwater River offers one of the Olympic Peninsula's most rewarding steelhead experiences. The moment you hook a chrome-bright 15-pound wild steelhead in a crystalline pocket surrounded by ancient rainforest, with no other anglers visible in any direction and only the sounds of the river and wildlife—you'll understand why dedicated steelheaders consider the Clearwater River a sacred place worth protecting and fishing with reverence.

This is steelhead fishing as it was meant to be: wild, remote, challenging, and utterly authentic.

Website: Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
Location: Olympic Peninsula, Washington (tributary of Queets River)
Fishing Type: Year-round river (seasonal closures apply); primarily shore access
Access: Remote—high-clearance vehicle essential; often requires hiking; upper sections require backpacking
Target Species: Wild Winter Steelhead (100% catch-and-release), Summer Steelhead (catch-and-release), Coho Salmon, Chum Salmon, Sea-Run Cutthroat, Dolly Varden, Bull Trout (protected), Resident Rainbows
Regulations: WDFW Fishing Regulations | Emergency Rules
Local Resources: Amanda Park (15-20 miles)—very limited services
Flow Information: USGS Gauge #12040500 (Clearwater River near Clearwater, WA)
Olympic National Park: Upper sections—ONP Backcountry
Emergency: No cell service—inform others of plans before trip

The World's Most Complete Fishing Resource

We're building the ultimate fishing encyclopedia—created by anglers, for anglers. Our articles are created by real experienced fishermen, sometimes using AI-powered research. This helps us try to cover every species, technique, and fishing spot imaginable. While we strive for accuracy, fishing conditions and regulations can change, and some details may become outdated or contain unintentional inaccuracies. AI can sometimes make mistakes with specific details like local access points, parking areas, species distributions, or record sizes.

Spot something off? Whether it's an incorrect boat ramp location, wrong species information, outdated regulations, or any other error, please use the "Help Us Improve This Page" section below. Your local knowledge makes this resource better for every angler.

Topics
#steelhead #coho salmon #chinook salmon #cutthroat trout

Create your own Research Page using AI

Try our AI assistant for free—sign up to access this powerful feature

Sign Up to Ask AI