Northwest Fishing Reports

Here is an interesting situation..
I am involved in birding. I know a fellow birder dude who recently decided to go about learning the process of navigating the red tape of how to gain access to the ranges at JBLM.
So, how this relates to fishing is that there are bodies of water on many of these ranges within Ft. Lewis/McChord, etc.
When I was stationed in Fort Ord. CA. back in the mid 80's, we used to find these places all the time. These places sometimes had great fishing opportunities, due to the lack of fishing pressure.
I had been told about such locations on Lewis, but I didn't want to begin the nightmare of figuring out access passes.

If anyone is interested in a tutorial on exactly where to go to get a Range Pass, you can check this site out;
http://www.jblmbirding.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Time to get out Google maps, and start looking for blue spots.

disclaimer: Obviously these are Ranges that have been shut down to training, or at least have been stamped with an approval of safety for people walking around. But of course, you prob. want to not pick anything up.

It is pretty easy obtaining access permits on JBLM -

Right before the gate at the Main Gate JBLM exit off of I-5 is the visitor center, where you obtain a permit to be on post.

Then one exit south on I-5 you go to the gate and get directions to Range Control, which is less than 1/2 mile and only one right turn to get there.

They will issue both a vehicle permit and personal permit good for 2 years - no charge.

It goes without saying that if you intend to drive on base - that your vehicle registration as well as proof if insurance is in order along with valid ID

My sons and I have the permits primarily for lower Nisqually River access where there are some great stretches of water

Onmygame

Used to be some good bass/crappie/sunfish fishing on those lakes. They're all about 10' deep as I recall, from decades ago when a friend was stationed there. http://www.jblmmwr.com/pdf/nw_adv/russe ... grules.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Chambers used to be the best of the lot. (Not the one near Olympia)