Chilly nights have put a damper on steelhead fishing on the Methow and Okanogan rivers lately, but the upper Columbia continues to produce fair numbers of steelhead. Fishing from the shore above Rocky Reach, from both the Chelan County side and from the docks at Lincoln Park is good at times. Anglers will be hitting the Wenatchee, Entiat and Methow rivers now, with a different species in mind. These rivers are open to whitefish, and there are some special rules to be aware of. Whitefish gear rules specify one single-point hook, maximum hook size 3/16 inch point to shank (hook size 14). The rules also specify bait allowed—however. In streams where steelhead fishing is allowed, no bait is allowed. In the Wenatchee and Entiat anglers will be able to bait their hooks with their preferred bait. The Wenatchee, Entiat and Methow rivers all support good populations of whitefish, and the Methow particularly, has some very large whitefish available, and I mean over 16 inches. These fish not only are great sport to catch, they also are great fodder for the smoker. Look for slack water and eddies for schools of whitefish.