Northwest Fishing Reports

First time poster, long time snooper. Great site with TONS of good information. Been stationed on Whidbey Island for about 3 years and just picked up a 12' aluminum with a minn kota and looking to hit up as many lakes as possible this comming spring / summer. I usually fish for trout since it seems to be the most abuntant fishery around here. Originally being from SoCal I did alot of LMB fishing down there and Im still trying to grasp the colder climate up here. Anyone on here into LMB fishing and willing indulge some info about the fishery. I am not asking about secret lakes or spots, just a general over view of experiance thus far. Also, anyone who wants to get together and buddy boat or hitch a ride with me after 01MAR13 just PM me and we will hit it up. Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the best fishing site in the west

Augwen wrote:Welcome to the best fishing site in the west

Thanks Augwen,
Im starting to gather that. I have been doing some searching on here and using google maps for lakes near me. Tons of info and fish porn on here.

Welcome to the site. You joined at 3:21 am and made a post at 4:24 am. Looks like you either work on a swing shift or your loosing sleep looking forward to spring fishing. LOL

Welcome.

LOTS of Bass fishing in most every lake in the state. Keep trying for them and you'll figure them out. Bass in this state eat the same lures as in Ca. I learned Bass fishing in Calif. Ya just have to fish a little slower as the water temp isn't as hot here. But they will still chase down a fast lure. Use crankbaits, swim baits up to about 8", spinnerbaits, dropshot, topwater, jigs of course, grubs, tubes, the usual Bass stuff, and any lure similar to those. Fish any lure different that the factory intended and they'll work that way also. I personaly don't fish for anything other than Bass, I'm just stuck on Bass.

AJ's Dad wrote:Welcome to the site. You joined at 3:21 am and made a post at 4:24 am. Looks like you either work on a swing shift or your loosing sleep looking forward to spring fishing. LOL

Welcome.

Thanks for the "welcome", I am currently over seas so there is a bit of a time difference, I am going to be home in a month, or atleast thats what they are saying. And yes, I have had fishing withdrawls since about July, Oddly enough the day I left.

Amx wrote:LOTS of Bass fishing in most every lake in the state. Keep trying for them and you'll figure them out. Bass in this state eat the same lures as in Ca. I learned Bass fishing in Calif. Ya just have to fish a little slower as the water temp isn't as hot here. But they will still chase down a fast lure. Use crankbaits, swim baits up to about 8", spinnerbaits, dropshot, topwater, jigs of course, grubs, tubes, the usual Bass stuff, and any lure similar to those. Fish any lure different that the factory intended and they'll work that way also. I personaly don't fish for anything other than Bass, I'm just stuck on Bass.

Thanks for the notes. I have had some luck, just not alot by any means. I like throwing reaction baits like Rapalas X-Rap and buzz baits. I caught 1 LMB out of cranberry lake in deception state park and 2 SMB at whatcom lake btu thats about it. I spent 5 hours on whatcom when I got my boat there and fished near the ramp and most fo the shorline on the south end and no love, except a Perch and a small cutthroat about 2 inches bigger than my bait. The hours put in : bass caught ratio is showing me that I have a TON of learning to do. I do like how you added in there "Fish any lure differently that the factory intended..." Gave me a chukkle, since that is true. Thanks again.

When you get 'in state' be sure to check in and post that. The rest of the time check in as often as you can. Read the fishing reports and look at all the lake pictures and lake maps. Ask away, most here like to help any way they can.

While you are in Japan be sure to check out the Bass fishing over there, it can be great. Maybe even pick up some lures that we can't get over here.

Amx wrote:When you get 'in state' be sure to check in and post that. The rest of the time check in as often as you can. Read the fishing reports and look at all the lake pictures and lake maps. Ask away, most here like to help any way they can.

I will most likely be here atleast few times a day til I get back. I have looked at all of Island and Skagit County lakes and have an idea of my approach for this comming season. I will do my part to take a few snapshots and detailed report every time I go. Looking forward to being part of this great community! I think a hummingbird depth finder is going to be needed to be added to the boat. Think that will come in handy.

If you feel like chasing some trout, you have a lot close by. Check out the lake section there's plenty on Whidbey. If you've ever thought about swing a fly, Pass Lake is close and good fishing year round.

Bodofish wrote:If you feel like chasing some trout, you have a lot close by. Check out the lake section there's plenty on Whidbey. If you've ever thought about swing a fly, Pass Lake is close and good fishing year round.

Sweet signature BTW! I do not fly fish... I tried it for a little while and trippled the amount of times that I would get caught in shrubbery and also cuaght my self in the lip once and that was about it for me (lol). I do troll dry / wet flies on my ulta light when I goto Cranberry and Erie. I caught a 4lb Brown out of Cranberry and 25 bows /trips out of Erie in 5 hours in one day using that method. My buddy beat me with 27 that day. All C&R.
They fight better when they are caught on artificial over bait IMO, and plus you can release them 95% of the time. One lake I have yet to master durring the winter / fall is Campbell. I have fished "Cutthroat Channel" and all round the island, mainly focusing on the hole on the back side. Not catching anything there gives me an excuse to go more often is how I see it.

Tady45 wrote:

Bodofish wrote:If you feel like chasing some trout, you have a lot close by. Check out the lake section there's plenty on Whidbey. If you've ever thought about swing a fly, Pass Lake is close and good fishing year round.

Sweet signature BTW! I do not fly fish... I tried it for a little while and trippled the amount of times that I would get caught in shrubbery and also cuaght my self in the lip once and that was about it for me (lol). I do troll dry / wet flies on my ulta light when I goto Cranberry and Erie. I caught a 4lb Brown out of Cranberry and 25 bows /trips out of Erie in 5 hours in one day using that method. My buddy beat me with 27 that day. All C&R.
They fight better when they are caught on artificial over bait IMO, and plus you can release them 95% of the time. One lake I have yet to master durring the winter / fall is Campbell. I have fished "Cutthroat Channel" and all round the island, mainly focusing on the hole on the back side. Not catching anything there gives me an excuse to go more often is how I see it.

Nice!!!! Yeah, I always wear a wide brimmed hat to keep the hook off my face..... For the cutts, try a perch pattern needle fish. I'm with you 100% using artificial lures. Much better fight!

Welcome and thanks for your service. Don't know anything about fishing up north but the smallies get big in Lake Tapps.
Have fun fishing in your new boat this year.

There are LMB in most if not all of the lakes you mentioned above. Also some nice lakes around further east into Skagit County. Hit me up if you ever fish any of the lakes off hwy 9. If your into tournament bass fishing we have a Bass Club based out of Mount Vernon. These guys are friendly and willing to help other anglers grow. http://www.pondjumperz.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Rosann G wrote:Welcome and thanks for your service. Don't know anything about fishing up north but the smallies get big in Lake Tapps.
Have fun fishing in your new boat this year.

Thanks for the welcome and your support. The two smallies I caught were about 1/4 lb and 1.5 lbs. They fight for their life and i love it. If I have the time off I will try and make it down there and give it a shot this summer.

bcalvert wrote:There are LMB in most if not all of the lakes you mentioned above. Also some nice lakes around further east into Skagit County. Hit me up if you ever fish any of the lakes off hwy 9. If your into tournament bass fishing we have a Bass Club based out of Mount Vernon. These guys are friendly and willing to help other anglers grow. http://www.pondjumperz.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have been looking into Beaver, Clear, and others east from my location. I think I will start hitting up those lakes after April /May when the weather starts to warm. I will send you a PM when I am thinking about hitting it up, unless you want to go earlier and show me whats up! I have never been in any tournaments and honestly not too sure if I'm ready for that. But again, Im always down for wetting a line.

Bodofish, I never thought about a hat to cover my face but think I have caused my self enough harm with that style of fishing . Now with the cutts, are you saying that there are some in campbell or are you saying in general that the perch colored needle fish is best? I have fished whistle lake for 2 cutts on the fly and about 50 yellow perch in one day in my tube on worm and bobber. I never thought about using the perch colored needle fish, even though I have never had any luck on 'em I think I'll follow your lead.

The perch colored needle fish are killer on RBT's and Cutts. They work best about 2.3 mph but speeding up and slowing down is good for setting up the strike. I haven't fished Campbell in a few years. From a tube you'd have a tough time with a needle fish. you'd have better luck with a very slow trolled woolybugger or leach pattern fly. A very slow jigging action. You can always troll a fly in Pass, no need to cast. I posted some pics of flys I was going to use there, in the fly section. I hit fish on all of them.

Bodofish wrote:The perch colored needle fish are killer on RBT's and Cutts. They work best about 2.3 mph but speeding up and slowing down is good for setting up the strike. I haven't fished Campbell in a few years. From a tube you'd have a tough time with a needle fish. you'd have better luck with a very slow trolled woolybugger or leach pattern fly. A very slow jigging action. You can always troll a fly in Pass, no need to cast. I posted some pics of flys I was going to use there, in the fly section. I hit fish on all of them.

The only lake I use the tube on is Whistle since there is no easy boat access. But if I goto Campbell in the boat I will try kicking the trolling motor between 1 and 2 using the Needle Fish. As far as Pass lake goes, Do I have to only fish with fly rod or can I fish it with a spinning rig with flies? And Can I use the boat on the lake using a trolling motor or can it only be by oar, or tube? Sorry if I am asking too many questions, just dont want to make a mistake. Thanks.