Northwest Fishing Reports

Looking for some new lakes to fish around King and south Snoho counties from shore. I've been fishing Union, Log Boom Park, Haller, Bitter and the arboretum, all with some to limited success. Just wondering if anyone had some tips on a decent lake(s) with some roomy shore access that I could actually have a chance to catch some mini piggies. I've heard there are several lakes down in Federal Way also, but I'm not familiar with any of them. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated!
Thanks, Chris

sammamish. preferably with waders

lake Washington is good for piggies from shore, especially as we roll into september

Dude, you should think about getting a float tube. These lakes you mention plus all the other small ones around here are very fishable in one. It could be low cost also. I have a 20' Nitro but I fish the tube all time to catch our local piggies. A possible shorebound lake could also be Silver in Snoh. county.

Thanks Shad and Basser!
Shad - I went to Magnusson Park boat launch in June on a cloudy rainy day with no action at all. Is this a good area in decent weather or should I try Coulon area? With such a large lake, it seems overwhelming on where to focus.

Basser - I'm saving my pennies now and hope to have one in the near future, thank you for the tip.

Keep em coming! Though I don't want to take away anyone's honey hole:-"

swayner23 wrote:Thanks Shad and Basser!
Shad - I went to Magnusson Park boat launch in June on a cloudy rainy day with no action at all. Is this a good area in decent weather or should I try Coulon area? With such a large lake, it seems overwhelming on where to focus.

Basser - I'm saving my pennies now and hope to have one in the near future, thank you for the tip.

Keep em coming! Though I don't want to take away anyone's honey hole:-"

there are serious pigs at coulon and other docs on the bellevue shoreline. The bass will not be hanging around there all the time. They move in and out throughout the day, searching for food. You could be casting to the same spot with not a bite for 3 hours, and then bam nail a 20-incher on your next cast when he happens to be swimming by.

You need to go early morning or towards dusks, when there are less people around and when the crawdads come out. Stay out of the weeds (fish outside the edges where there are rocks or sand bottom). I use exclusively a 3-inch grub in craw patterns, texas rigged. Nightcrawlers are great too, but they will get torn apart by perch this time of year.

Great info Shad, I'll have to give that a try. Thank you for the information, much appreciated.

If your fishing Magnusson, try and get on the outside weedline. Seems like there's a ton of rip rap along there all the way to Noah also. I think the bite was a little tough in June. I think you could at least get bit if you can get out on the point down on the other side of the dog park. At a minimum you should at least get some dinks. Good luck

basser90 wrote:If your fishing Magnusson, try and get on the outside weedline. Seems like there's a ton of rip rap along there all the way to Noah also. I think the bite was a little tough in June. I think you could at least get bit if you can get out on the point down on the other side of the dog park. At a minimum you should at least get some dinks. Good luck

It is so hard to fish Western Waters from the shore. I would recommend a float tube or boat. You are so limited it sux. Invest in something that can get you on the water, unless your going for stocker trout.



fishinislife

Basser is right, I've done some damage on them from the tube this year!
I can vouch for what shad said, caught a 4 lb smallie there this morning, from shore at Coulon
The Federal Way lakes aren't much for shore fishing, I've tried
If you don't mind getting muddy( the kind of mud that wreaks) you can though
The lakes are weird though, the fish, for the most part are not consistant, but when you do they normally have some size to them.

8theb8- my focus has been on salmon lately but with no action in that department either, I've still been bass fishing here and there. Probably more likely to look into getting a tube next spring. This was my first year for bass and I'd hate to have to wait another 7 months; what's the winter bass fishing like? I've heard, "good luck" as they go into deep water and shut down. Is that true?

Yup. Sometimes during the winter you can catch one shallow if they come up to sun themselves on a warm sunny day.

Winter fishing can be dynamite, particularly for smallmouth. The people telling you they go deep and shut down are the ones that are at home watching football.

If I knew that answer, I'd be a kick-phanny angler. I am shorebound myself but I have yet to unlock or break the winter fishing from the shore puzzle.

tagwatson360 wrote:Winter fishing can be dynamite, particularly for smallmouth. The people telling you they go deep and shut down are the ones that are at home watching football.

Tag,

I definitely find that encouraging, being a shorebound angler myself. Sadly, I must say my own personal experience has shown me that I have not been able to catch a bass, small or largemouth from December to March from the shore, anywhere, on any lake. What cues or clues from the shore should I be looking for that might suggest a spot might offer a higher percentage chance over another. Gut says to fish all spots but it sure would help to narrow the selection. You can a swimbait that I would rather target bass from the shore in sub freezing weather knowing full well I might go home skunked than watch a football game.

@8: That definitely sounds like a plan! I just have to figure out which ones in my area don't close on 10/31 and are relatively shallow.

Thanks!

I'm gonna chime in on the float tube idea as well. It's cheap and easy and can put you on fish. I've fished behind guys in bass boats and have cleaned up. Another thing too, is you can often fish waters that bass boats can't get into. You have to adapt somewhat, but the benefits can be very rewarding.