Northwest Fishing Reports

HI Everyone.

First post, so please be gentle.

PIcked up a boat 2 years ago and have been fishing Lake Stevens, I live across the street from the lake, and am having a hard time putting rainbows in the boat.

Was wondering if anyone had any tips?

Rigs, spots, depth, bait, lures, etc?

I mark fish on the sonar and have been trying to troll wedding rings, spinners, spoons, hoochies. Have tried with no bait on hook, with worm on hook, corn, gulp, etc. Landed only a few fish trout out of the lake. I usually use a dodger.

Just picked up a school of fish and a scent chamber at the sportsman show but haven't tried them yet.

I've tried with the downriggers and just surface trolling.

Tried just drift fishing with powerbait, worm, etc but only ever pull up perch that way (and one angry catfish).

Thanks for any info!

Not necessarily applying to one lake but when im trolling i focus on speed variation turning line rigging and bait/scents to name a few things.. try to keep a log on what happens throughout the day such as weather, tackle used, locations, any fish things like that.. I know im not very much help but hopefully theres something helpful here for ya..

GTeye, when I was younger and fishing for trout in a lake my go to rig was a wedding ring and chunk of nightcrawler a few split shots and long line 75 ft behind the boat. Troll fast in the 2 to 3 mph no flasher. Now not saying you can use a DR for trout or a dodger because you can and might catch some kokanne doing so. Bloody tuna is worth a try, powerbait is for plunking from shore or still fishing on the bottom but you never know. As far as the other rigs your using they will catch fish trolling just give it some time it is very early in the season.

Spots, use the hot spots on here and see where others have been catching fish and try there, also look around and see where the other boats are hanging out and catching fish.

Good luck and remember were here to help one another out as much as possible so ask lots of questions this is how we all learn.

Hi GTeye,
If Stevens is your go-to lake you might consider investing in a guided trip. If you can get some friend, its not that much and you'll learn a lot. Steelhead360 is a sponsor here and fishes Stevens. That said, most of the guides fish for kokanee, so if you are particular about rainbows I'm not sure they'll be much help.

If you are willing to try for kokanee, Zack (Steelhead360) has an article on here from last month.

Lake Stevens Bows can be very moody. I catch most of mine during the winter months trolling stick baits along the shorelines. During the Spring and Summer its mostly incidental catches while fishing for Kokanee. I do know my neighbor does okay fishing the point just outside the cove

Thanks for the tips everyone!

I've nabbed a few kokanee out, generally I get on the water later than I want to so I don't go near as well as if I was there earlier I am sure but a guided trip sounds good. I'll see what my schedule is like and contact you!

-Marc