Bank fishing the Snohomish - Lowell Riverfront trail

[TroutSnipr]

This spot is just a mile or two from my house in the new trail area they built between the train tracks and the river. Anybody ever do any bank fishing around this area? What can I expect to find, and what might a hot rig be for this location? Looking to maybe do some night catfishing if the area is open after dark. Any info?

[natetreat]

Look in the regs to find the rules before you go. Pretty sure it's not open for a a while. That area can be good for salmon when they're running, suckers and whitefish and the like. I have never heard of a catfish from the snoho.

[TroutSnipr]

Page 42 of the new WDFW Pamphlet http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01384/wdfw01384.pdf
SNOHOMISH RIVER (Snohomish Co.) from mouth (Burlington-Northern Railroad bridges) (including all channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways) upstream to confluence of the Skykomish and Snoqualmie rivers (all channels)
Catch Code (850)
ALL SPECIES - Aug. 1-Nov. 30: night closure and anti-snagging rule.
Dolly Varden/Bull Trout - First Sat. in June-Jan. 31 Min. size 20". May be retained as part of the TROUT daily limit.
All Other TROUT - First Sat. in June-Jan. 31 Min. size 14". Daily limit 2.
Other Game Fish - First Sat. in June-Jan. 31 Statewide min. size/daily limit.
SALMON - Sept. 1-Dec. 31 Min. size 12". Daily limit 3. Release CHINOOK and PINK.

So it opens in 4 days...

[TroutSnipr]

AM I going to see people reaching for their torches and pitchforks when I say I'm not really interested in catching salmon? I kinda look at it the same way I look at my old bass days, it ends up being a competitive, expensive, and ultimately stressful hobby. I don't want to be shoulder to shoulder with 100 other guys on opening day. These days its more about the journey than the destination which is why I really think I'm going to miss my Eastside catfishing adventures. The regs have me a bit confused though when comparing:

ALL SPECIES - Aug. 1-Nov. 30: night closure and anti-snagging rule.
vs
Other Game Fish - First Sat. in June-Jan. 31 Statewide min. size/daily limit.

About whether night fishing for catfish would be legal or not.

[RiverRock]

AM I going to see people reaching for their torches and pitchforks when I say I'm not really interested in catching salmon? I kinda look at it the same way I look at my old bass days, it ends up being a competitive, expensive, and ultimately stressful hobby. I don't want to be shoulder to shoulder with 100 other guys on opening day. These days its more about the journey than the destination which is why I really think I'm going to miss my Eastside catfishing adventures. The regs have me a bit confused though when comparing:

ALL SPECIES - Aug. 1-Nov. 30: night closure and anti-snagging rule.
vs
Other Game Fish - First Sat. in June-Jan. 31 Statewide min. size/daily limit.

About whether night fishing for catfish would be legal or not.

The night closure refers to the specific body of water your refering to, Snohomish River? Being theres no catfish in the Snoho, I don't think you'll be catfishing there at night.... Probably the closest catfish waters to you would be Gissburg Ponds in Smokey Point north of Everett along side I-5. Read the regs. on the specific body of water you desire to fish first, as one of the Gissburg Ponds is juvenile fishing only and the other for everyone.
Other options you may want to consider is saltwater fishing. Again read the regs. The closest area to you would be "area 8-2" in the reg. book under the "Marine Area Rules" There is a small handful of saltwater fishing piers/docks as well as beach/shore fishing access close to you that you can fish from. Saltwater fishing can be alot of fun as you never know what you'll catch sometimes, theres alot of cool marine creatures swimming around out there! Good luck and have fun!

[TroutSnipr]

What I meant by confusing is that the night closure is under all species Aug 1 - Nov 30 but 'Other game fish" would include catfish (If there were any there) and beingJune 1- Jan 31 does that mean that I can night fish between June 1 and July 31 and Dec 1 - Jan 31 or am I being too literal with my interpretation.

It's so foreign to me coming from Eastern Washington that a river could not have catfish in it, especially one with as much slough area as the Snohomish. I did see something about Channel cats in Gissburg ponds, so I'm thinking of stopping by there tomorrow after I make the trek to Cabela's in Tulalip.

I would consider shore/surf fishing but I don't have have any gear that I would consider suitable. Most of my gear is ML-Med 6'6"-7" rods and 25-40 series reels. Nothing I could lift a decent size fish up to pier height, or cast far enough out in the surf to get in the bite zone. The last thing I need is another reason to go out and buy more gear!