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Baker Lake Report
Whatcom County, WA

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08/15/2011
Trolling
Salmon
Other
Pink
Other
Morning
08/15/2011
2
1457

Ah, false morning arrived and I had the kicker up and running. We left anchorage and rods down at 5:30am. Conditions - slight chop, scattered sprinkles/on off, which cleared as the morning progressed and the sun came out - another glorious day on Baker lake!

My wife Joann and I fished the upper end of the lake. Didn't stay with the crowds too much, explored back and forth and side to side. The crowds are gone, only around 20 boats or so. Ran three rods, downrigger x2 and a Deep six off the back end. Traditional sockeye gear, various colored hooks and 0 dodger, shrimp, scent. Started off with a rainbow trout at 5:45 (released) on the DR, 35 feet. 6:15 hit a fiesty hen at 30 pulls on the Deep Six, pink and glow hooks with smile blade and bait. Saw another boat catch one and - nothing. That was it as far as I could see for the morning "bite". At 8am decided to shake things up ala Lake Washington Old School and put on a pink Kwikfish. Dropped to 35 feet and BAMM - immediately caught a nice 6 pound hooknose. That kwikfish must of hit him on the head. Changed up my second rigger to a kwikfish and wouldn't you know, that was it for the day. Caught another rainbow at 50 pulls on the Deep Six (hook/dodger setup). Called it a day at 10:45, and got off the water just before a rain squall came though - good timing!



Comments

hydra
8/15/2011 9:02:00 PM
awesome, love that lake, havnt been back since the 1980s!
nice pics!
Dave
8/16/2011 1:20:00 AM
Wow, nice fish Mike. I hope I can get up there at least once more before it closes. It's also great to hear the crowds have diminished. Thanks for your report.
Gringo Pescador
8/16/2011 7:27:00 AM
Sounds like you've got her "hooked" on the sockeye fishery anyway!
MotoBoat
8/16/2011 8:25:00 AM
Were both fish starting to color somewhat? What size quickfish did you slap on, I am familair with the "old school" size for LK Wa. But comparing your size to mine.............ummmmmmmmmm..........quickfish that is!
Mike Carey
8/16/2011 8:25:00 AM
JoAnn loves the whole experience, including the overnighting on the boat, so it's pretty fun. If the fish aren't biting she just lays down in the cuddy and takes it easy.
Mike Carey
8/16/2011 8:38:00 AM
K-13. Yes, definately starting to color up, and the male has a hook nose.
TomD
8/18/2011 7:19:00 AM
Hi Mike! Do you think it will still be worth a trip up there this weekend???
Mike Carey
8/18/2011 5:34:00 PM
hard to say - last year the reports were good right up to the end of the month. This year we have over 18,000 fish trucked over the last time I checked. It was pretty tough fishing for us, but the crowds are much less. If you consider the trip based on the scenery as a factor then, yes. It may be that you go and the fish are active again. Wish I could give you more certainty. With the pinks flooding in and much more active it makes for a tougher decision. Course, I'd take sockeye over pinks any day of the week.
TomD
8/19/2011 9:22:00 AM
Thanks Mike! We may head up there for a day-time trip/evening bite... Hard to entice my wife to leave at 3:00am for the morning bite ;-)
Mike Carey
8/19/2011 7:22:00 PM
good luck!
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Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Austin's Northwest Adventures

Phone: (509) 668-0298