Northwest Fishing Reports

Today, My dad dropped my brother and i off at a pier on lake washington to fish. we werent targeting any specific species, so we just used bobbers and night crawlers. after maybe 30 minutes, we caught what we first thought was a large trout, but then we released it becuase we thought it was a small coho salmon. About 15 minutes later we caught a rainbow and kept it. But then in about 20 more minutes, with a bobber, night crawler, and 6lb test, we hooked a big silver (not sure if it was a silver). It had to have been 12-14lbs. It took us a long time to fight it. like 25 minutes, because we had no net and were fishing from a pier, i loosened the drag and tried to tire out the fish. Eventually i dragged it to the shore. Me and my brother had know idea i we could keep it so we sadly threw it back.

Now i am wondering, if it was a silver, was it legal to keep? Also, could it have been a steelhead, because i dont think salmon run through the lake at this time of the year.

wouldn't be a salmon this time of year. Most likely was a large rainbow or cutthroat. Steelhead - I'm not sure about timing, seems wrong. Heck, didn't all the sealions eat them? Good for you to release it, not knowing what you had and keeping it anyway is a bad way to keep fish.

Ok.... sounds nice,, but what did you say the name of that pier was? (-:

If you were down around Renton. They were more than likely Cutt throats.

I will let you know tomorrow..

Kokanee shouldn't get that big and steelhead aren't open yet. Furthermore, Kokanee over 15" are considered Sockeye and out of season. Coho usually don't enter the lake until July along with the sockeye. A cutthroat would have had the red marks under the lower jaw. Keep your fishing reg's with you all the time or a small book of fish descriptions. I still have trouble figuring out species after fishing for over 30 years.

Congratulations on your catch and release.

Probably a rainbow or Cutt...Sounds like a fishing story though (12-14 lbs?)

Sam Kafelafish wrote:Probably a rainbow or Cutt...Sounds like a fishing story though (12-14 lbs?)

yeah that is over reacting, lol, but the fish was the size of the Average silvers we catch at Ilwaco (area 1)
I went there again yesterday, and caught two small ones, couldnt tell what they were (salmon, trout?) and put them back. There were alot of fish there jumping though. Also got enough Perch for a good meal :D

The pier is the 1st pier from after the Hydroplane pits, on the bridge side

Bring a camera and take a few pictures of them.

How do you havve -123 points first of all JT26?
Most likely a trout or a cutt

Bring a camera next time. I'll bet you had a nice 5# cutt.

Sam Kafelafish wrote:How do you havve -123 points first of all JT26?
Most likely a trout or a cutt

lol, i have no clue.

yeah im definitly bringing a camera next time :(

I'd say it was a big silver "Squawfish" I hooked plenty of them fishing for Bass today all along Bellevue and Medina(Only manage to C & R 5 Smallmouths in 8 hours of fishing,boy talk about sunburned and tough fishing.) Ouch
Still was a nice day to be out there on the boat on the big lake on this hot day.

I have caught and released silvers and reds in late June. The silvers will take a worm.