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Wenatchee Lake Report
Chelan County, WA

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Details

06/18/2011
Top Fishing From Shore
Rainbow Trout
Orange
Mack's Wedding Ring
Evening
06/20/2011
5
2751

I caught the fish pictured - is it a brook trout? - within my 1st 10 casts. I was standing on a ledge 6 feet up with no shore access, so landing in on the rock was difficult. I was trying to clip the barb to release but it flopped back in and the line snapped. The small hook with the lure is still in its lip - do you think it'll be okay? It got back in to the water within one minute I'd say - I watched it swim away so hopefully it'll be fine? I'm not an experienced fisherperson, but I did learn I should bend the barb down FIRST, and have a net! I tried to touch it as little as possible. I ope it's okay; it was so beautiful!!


Comments

basser90
6/20/2011 1:01:00 PM
It looks like a lake trout. That fish should be just fine. Nice job
flyfisherguy
6/20/2011 1:03:00 PM
Based on the fin colors I'd go with a brookie. Either that or maybe a Dolly Varden?
Trout fishing in America Shorty
6/20/2011 1:15:00 PM
Pretty sure it is a Dolly Varden.... take a look at his website http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/char/

Might check your regs, I think in that area it is a protected fish...It was a couple years ago
TB Wannabe
6/20/2011 2:08:00 PM
Darn nice fish whatever it is! Good on ya...
G-Man
6/20/2011 2:30:00 PM
First off, nice bull trout! And thanks for releasing it, as they are protected in most systems. I know our State's regs can be hard to follow so here is the scoop on Lake Wenachee:

WENATCHEE, LAKE (Chelan Co.)
No Two Rod Endosement
Col. R. Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement Required (p. 26)
all species - selective gear rules.
TROUT Year-round Min size 12". Daily limit 2. Release Release KOKANEE and SOCKEYE.

Selective Gear Rules: Only unscented artificial flies or lures with one single-point, barbless hook are allowed. Up to a total of three artificial flies or lures, each containing one single-point, barbless hook may be used. Bait is prohibited; fish may be released until the daily limit is retained. Only knotless nets may be used to land fish except
where specifically allowed under Special Rules for individual waters. If any fish has swallowed the hook or is hooked in the gill, eye, or tongue, it should be kept if legal to do so.

And last but not least the general State rules: Release of wild STEELHEAD and Doll y Varden/Bull Trout is required year-round, except where retention is specifically authorized in the Special Rules. In freshwater areas (except in the Columbia River between the Buoy 10 line and the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line) SALMON , STEELHEAD, and DOLLY VARDEN/BULL TROUT to be released may not be totally removed from the water.

So to summerize, to fish the lake you need to use a single point barbless hook, no bait and you may not totally remove the fish from the water to release it. Oh and if that wasn't enough, if you use a net it needs to be knotless. Again, thanks for the report and it is cool to see that good sized bull trout are still kicking around in the Lake.
Gozags
6/20/2011 4:46:00 PM
definitely bull trout. Nice one at that!
vrispiel58
6/20/2011 7:29:00 PM
Nice Dolly there,
The reg's are tough enough to figure out for the experienced angler (on new water),,..
A newbie has got to be totally lost
bottom line tho, read the reg's
Anonymous
6/20/2011 10:03:00 PM
wow that is one nice bull trout! good job!
wirewizard
6/21/2011 1:36:00 AM
@G-Man... you are annoying with all your posts. Thanks for reciting the regs to everyone to make yourself feel smart. just say "nice fish". that is enough
wirewizard
6/21/2011 1:37:00 AM
nice fish man
'OL GREY DOG
6/21/2011 7:09:00 AM
LORDY
'OL GREY DOG
6/21/2011 7:13:00 AM
hey G....nice of ya to try 'n help out a newb....thnx....DOG
tpursell
6/21/2011 9:27:00 AM
Looks like the hook is right in the corner of the mouth, on the lip. The fish should be just fine. That is a beautiful fish!
MotoBoat
6/21/2011 11:10:00 AM
Wired, sure G is proficient with fish Identification, catching several species and the reg's for various waters. If a fishing report has even one infraction it, it is your duty as a sportsperson to educate those innocently doing wrong. Your helping them to be better for it and saving them an embarrassing ticket.

By the way, your post stating "Nice fish man"............The person catching the fish and leaving the fishing report is female.
HawkDawg
6/21/2011 11:18:00 AM
wirewizard...you a troll?
'OL GREY DOG
6/21/2011 11:51:00 AM
LORDY
HawkDawg
6/21/2011 12:35:00 PM
Sorry Dog..guys like him, well..never mind.
G-Man, many people use these threads to educate themselves on the ever evolving rules and techniques associated with our states fishing opportunities, and your comments are a valuable resource. Thanks for an effort that goes above and beyond.
And lastly, fisherpersongirl, in the 40 or so years that I've been plying the waters of this state, I've only caught a handful of
bull trout, and nothing approaching the trophy you picked up at Wenatchee! Great job!!
wirewizard
6/21/2011 1:34:00 PM
looks like i owe G-man an apology for taking a direct shot, so im sorry about that. this site is intended for education and not negativity so that wont happen again. sorry to all it offended
FishingFool
6/21/2011 4:10:00 PM
nice fish! LOL the Fiance has the same rod. :o
mav186
6/21/2011 6:05:00 PM
I'm just wondering what you're doing out on the rocks in your SOCKS! lol Awesome fish, great to see someone genuinely concerned about a fish they caught and thank you G- for all of your posts!
gofishski
6/21/2011 7:14:00 PM
Not to be a regulation thumper, but the Regs also state that bull trout/ dolly varden "may not totally taken out of the water." I agree, these forums are to learn as you nearly need a legal degree and a biology degree to read the state regulations.

Best of luck to you all!
mh9112
6/21/2011 7:52:00 PM
The regs in this state have become so politicized by special interest groups. It's insane. I suppose it could be worse. They could get their wish of banning hunting and fishing all together.
mh9112
6/21/2011 8:23:00 PM
The regs in this state have become so politicized by special interest groups. It's insane. I suppose it could be worse. They could get their wish of banning hunting and fishing all together.
Trout Master
6/22/2011 12:20:00 PM
G-man, did exactly what he shouldve done, The angler IS responsible for knowing the regs before fishing any said water. Just saying I didnt know does not cut it. The posts saying nice Dolly is funny also, learn your fish species Bull and doolys are very close to being the same ,but they are not the same. G-man thank you for your post. Others saying this site is also for educational and learning is alomost a joke to me ,I see alot of posts where people show pic's of them fishing illegally. The regs for lakes are not that all difficult to figure out, now the river regs take some getting used to.
SportRadical
6/22/2011 4:54:00 PM
Trophy for sure!
bryanpeck
8/12/2012 8:45:00 PM
Nice Dolly. A few years ago (last time sox were open before 2012) our last fish of the day was a nice dolly about that size. Donated my cell phone to the bottom of Lake Wenatchee leaning over the transom to unhook her safely and send her on her way.
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Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: MoonsGuideService

Phone: (509) 860-6497