The numbers provide the proof that July’s steelhead fishing on the lower Columbia River was great. Anglers set the record for steelhead harvest for the month, catching and keeping an estimated 8,549 steelhead.

The old record was 8,200 steelhead taken home in 2009, said state fish biologist Joe Hymer.

Last month’s 15,897 total steelhead kept or released missed the record by just 37 fish (15,934 in 2009).

RIVERS

Cedar: Some trout are being caught, but the warm weather has slowed the action.

Puyallup: Anglers were reporting good catches of pink salmon late this week. Many of the fish had sea lice on them. Of course, the good reports also mean there are plenty of people on the river. A few chinook also are being caught. Corkies and yarn are the way to go.

Snohomish: The river is producing good catches of pinks. Anglers are using 2- and 21/2-inch Buzz Bombs or pink jigs tipped with corn or shrimp, said Mike Chamberlain of Ted’s Sports Center.

Wynoochee: A few fish are being caught, but the water is low and clear.

LAKES

American: Kokanee fishing remains very good, with anglers continuing to bring in limits, said David Anderson at Bill’s Boathouse. Most anglers are using two-hook rigs baited with maggots fished behind a small dodger. Anderson said people are finding the fish about 30 feet down. The early morning has been the best time to fish.

Kapowsin: Trout fishing has been fair to good. Look for the fish in deep holes or in the shade. Use PowerBait and worms. Mini-jigs tipped with worms or maggots will catch panfish, said Harry Erickson at Erickson Boat Rentals. The bass are hitting topwater baits retrieved slowly in the middle of the lake.

Munn: Trout fishing has been good at this catch-and-release lake near Tumwater, according to online reports. Some of the rainbows were reaching 20 inches.

Offut: Trout fishing has been fair in recent days. Most dock anglers are fishing worms or PowerBait on the bottom. Boat anglers might fare a little better since they can reach the deeper, cooler water.

Spanaway: Fishing has been fair to good, with some limits being caught. Still-fish the south end with worm and marshmallow for rainbows, or troll the center of the lake for browns. The chironomid has been the best fly, said Bud Herlitzka at Spanaway Park Boathouse.

SALT WATER

Fly-fishing: Sea-run cutthroat trout action remains good, said a staffer at Gig Harbor Fly Shop. Try sculpin and baitfish patterns. The trout must be released.

Hood Canal: Salmon fishing has been off and on, said Walt Harvey at Verle’s Sports Center. This weekend is the Hood Canal Salmon Derby.

Ilwaco: Last week, anglers averaged 1.34 salmon per rod, the best weekly rate so far this summer. Coho made up 79 percent of the catch, according to a state report. Through Sunday, an estimated 49.9 percent of the coho quota and 48.4 percent of the chinook guideline had been taken.

Tacoma: Salmon fishing is fair to good. Boat anglers in the Redondo-Browns Point area are catching plenty of pink salmon. Start off using pink jigs. Some chinook are being caught, including one about 20 pounds, said Art Tachell at Point Defiance Boathouse. The chinook seem to be in the Quartermaster Harbor-Gig Harbor area.

Westport: Last week also was the best of the season, with anglers averaging 1.66 salmon per rod. Chinook made up 65 percent of the catch. Through Sunday, anglers have caught an estimated 81.8 percent of the chinook guideline. Fishing is open Sundays-Thursdays, and only one chinook can be part of the two-salmon daily limit.

Jeffrey P. Mayor, staff writer