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Cranberry Lake Report
Island County, WA

Details

04/05/2009
Trolling
Rainbow Trout
Red
Flatfish
Morning
04/06/2009
2
8438

Fished Cranberry Lake at Deception Pass. We were on the water shortly after 10:00 am and trolled our usually spot where we always catch our limits in a short amount of time. Water temp was 48 degrees and the trout were not feeding. We managed 4 fish in 2 hours which is very slow fishing for this lake, especially after a plant of 7000 fish. Two of the four were small plants. The two I kept for the pan were 11 inches which is still small but enough for a meal. The wind was also an issue. I dislike fighting any wind but I expect it most of the time at this lake because it’s so close to the salt water, right at sea level. There were several folks fishing from shore and a few other boats on the water. We saw one fish caught by one of the boat anglers but the fish were definitely not interested. This lake usually heats up with great fishing around the end of April, in fact I often choose it on the opener because it gets almost no boat fishing pressure. Opening day crowds don’t work for me. Three of the four fish we caught were caught on a red flat fish with small black dots and a single hook (thanks to A9). I will be back in a few weeks when the water warms just a bit.


Comments

joekacker
4/6/2009 10:59:00 AM
Isnt cranberry lake closed....
Rich McVey
4/6/2009 12:08:00 PM
Straight from the regs:

LAKES, PONDS, AND
RESERVOIRS are open to fishing for
game fish (except DOLLY VARDEN/BULL
TROUT and GRASS CARP) year-round.

Cranberry IS NOT listed under Special Rules that closes the lake.

Seems like its open to me.

Good report Dave. I might have to come up early before it warms to much. Last year we didnt get up there till Sept and it was quite warm. We had some good activity in the mornings but not during the day.
Dave
4/17/2009 11:14:00 PM
Sorry for my late response. I just got back from Vacation. No worries Joe, it's open year round! Has been for as long as I can remember. In fact, I’ve been fishing Cranberry Lake for over 30 years now! Man time flies! Although I am capable of making mistakes, in my career field it’s imperative that a criminal act is not committed intentional or otherwise. Trust me; I would never make a mistake like that which could cost me my career of over 20 years. NOTE: Many of the RCW’s in title 77 are criminal.

I usually begin fishing Cranberry Lake around the first of April and it usually starts out slow despite the large plant. I also usually fish it on opening weekend since no one will be there and all the newly opened lakes will be packed. I find fishing here great from about the third week in April through maybe mid June before the water warms up and the rainbow become lethargic and feeding slows to a crawl. I generally use the frog and pearl Dicknite with a 4 foot, 3 pound test leader, a swivel and one small split shot to put the lure about 3 or so feet under the surface. You can literally catch and release fish after fish for hours once they acclimate and the water warms up just a bit. This lake also holds brown trout, I am told up to 6 pounds, and carry over rainbow trout are not uncommon and fight with a purpose. I have posted lots of reports for this lake if you are interested in my specific trolling locations / hot spot information. I love this lake except for the wind which is often present, but other than that, it's a great lake that gets very little boat fishing pressure.
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Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Hammer Down Excursions

Phone: (208) 839-9993