Public Fishing Areas in the Walla Walla Valley

Dodd Public Fishing Area: Located on the Touchet River, a short walk through a riparian area gives access to a 25 foot easement along the west bank of the river and stretches for 1/2 mile downstream. Be sure to abide by these boundaries and do not trespass on neighboring lands.

McDonald Road Public Fishing Area: This parking area is close to the Walla Walla River with roughly 1/4 mile of river access on both sides of the bridge. The easement on the west side of the bridge is on the south bank of the river, while east of the bridge has easements on both the north and south banks. The southern easement on the west side of McDonald Road also allows for hunting by shotgun and archery as a point of awareness.

Stovall Road Public Fishing Area: This access point requires you to walk about a 1/4 mile through some grassland and light vegetation to reach the river. This large fishing area gives access to both the Walla Walla River and Mill Creek. There is a 25 foot easement on both banks of Mill Creek and a 50 foot easement on the north bank of the Walla Walla River.

Swegle Road Public Fishing Area: Also known as Bughi, there is roughly 1/2 mile of access to the Walla Walla River east of Swegle Road on both the north and south banks of the river. The easement is bordered by farm land for reference. Hunting is also allowed by shotgun and archery as a point of awareness.

Amenities
Pack in and pack out. No facilities available at the public fishing areas.

Regulations
No camping or overnight stay is allowed at these location. Fishing regulations are highly specific and based on location and species. Please always consult the latest information available from the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.

Wildlife Awareness
We are all so fortunate to recreate in the Blue Mountains and Walla Walla Valley. So many opportunities exist to play outside, whether in a national forest, wilderness area, or on a Wild and Scenic River. With these opportunities comes great responsibility to appreciate that we are mere visitors and should all take pride in being good stewards of the wild.

Many animals call these protected places home, including moose, elk, bear, cougar, bobcat, and snakes to name a few. Take precautions to respect their home and understand the appropriate response should an encounter occur.

Additionally, many plant species thrive in the Blue Mountains, so staying on trail is always good practice.

Carry First Aid supplies to better respond to accidents or encounters, and always let others know where the day’s adventure is taking you.

Field Notes
Pets: In general, pets are allowed on a leash and under control throughout jurisdictions. The only restrictions we have encountered are around swimming areas. As a best practice, be mindful of riparian habitat in general. You never know where a precious spawning area might be located. Pack it in and pack it out applies to your furry friend as well.

Disclaimer: While the Outside Walla Walla team has enjoyed all the adventures listed on this site, we cannot provide real-time conditions & maintenance reports. Extreme weather can change access overnight. Volunteer groups might lose capacity to manage trail systems. We do our best to report that information and update our site accordingly, but please read our Disclaimer (footer) and proceed with any adventure as your comfort level allows.