Northwest Fishing Reports

Sorry, I missed out on the discussion a few months back about Shadow Lake and Beecher Lake near Clearview. While these lakes aren't a secret, I used to consider Shadow Lake my own little secret even though it is in a park.
I first fished Shadow back in 2004. There is a large variety of fish in this little lake. I have caught cutthroat trout, silver salmon, bass, crappie, perch, sunfish, catfish, and squawfish.
Back in 2004 I was getting good catches of bass up to 4 pounds with a few other big ones that I lost in the weeds. Most of the panfish and catfish were small.
Every year since then, I have had less and less success. I believe two things happened to this lake. Back in late summer/early fall of 2004, I witnessed two men catching and keeping buckets of small bass, perch, and sunfish. They told me they were going to use these fish as sturgeon bait on the Columbia River. I saw them out at the lake several times. In early 2005 I saw river otters swimming in the lake. I think they had their fill of fish. I also saw a man keeping dozens of spawning catfish in Aug. of 2005. I think overharvesting and the otters put a dent in this fishery.
Please practice catch and release, this small lake can't take the pressure of people harvesting large amounts of fish. I do believe there are still some big bass in this lake, and it is in a very pretty and peaceful setting.
One other "secret": there are two connected ponds that are south and across the trail from Shadow Lake. These two ponds are reported to have some very large bass as well.
Does anyone have any additional information on Beecher Lake? I see it every time I go to Shadow, but I'm not sure where the access trail is. Does anyone know?

I also fished this lake a few times last year and theres still a good number on catfish but not much crappie caught. Bass is still doing pretty good too I was still able to catch some nice largies. All fish were released as well.

Matt19 wrote: I witnessed two men catching and keeping buckets of small bass, perch, and sunfish.

Doesn't quite meet harvesting guidelines, if you see something like this it needs to be reported.

I was there 4 times last year, and even attempted the pond just to the east of Shadow. No luck at all...not even a bite. I was using lures that I've caught a handful of largies on. I've not been there since.