Northwest Fishing Reports

Are there any lakes or rivers on the west side with walleye? other than the colombia?

DannyCore wrote:Are there any lakes or rivers on the west side with walleye? other than the colombia?

It sucks but no. Unless you pull one from Lake Washington. I hear walleye rumors in some lakes but doubt they are there unless someone is using a bucket biologist degree:-"

I guess the University of Washington supposedly caught one walleye in lake Washington during a study while netting fish. Dont really matter, they aren't here for the most part and there is no chance in the foreseeable future that they will be. Trout is where the states money is and Walleye dont bring in revenue and they eat trout. Its a lose lose for the state.

Good fishing.

Joe

kevinb wrote:

DannyCore wrote:Are there any lakes or rivers on the west side with walleye? other than the colombia?

It sucks but no. Unless you pull one from Lake Washington. I hear walleye rumors in some lakes but doubt they are there unless someone is using a bucket biologist degree:-"

Great idea ;)

I've been wanting to contact WDFW about this. I would love to see some local westside lakes stocked with walleyes. I remember fishing sprague lake when I was a kid for walleye and always had a great time doing it! Would like the same chance for my kid to do over here!

In Feb we listened to a WDFW Biologists in Electric City explain that they have talked about it before but its not realistic that walleye would survive withouth a constant stocking plan. Never mind the fact that the Columbia River and all its reservoirs are thriving without Walleye ever being stocked. I think its all BS for them not wanting the walleyes over here because they will eat all there precious trout.

I cant blame the state though. I mean I love Walleye fishing and in this state there are probably 100 die hard walleye guys. Compare that to the thousands of trout fanatics. Where do you think the state is going to focus their energy and plans? However, if you do stock lakes over here with Walleye and people get to catching them and tasting them.......who knows what that could turn into. You talk about a money maker. Then again its hard to teach old dogs new tricks.

I am the same way. I came to this state excited about trout and stealhead fishing. A year later and I was driving all the way to Lake Roosevelt to fish for Walleye. I grew up doing it and its what I love. Even on this side, I fish prodominately for crappies, bluegills and perch. I will go trout fishing still, but it isn't even close to the challenge that walleye fishing provides. They do make good crab bait though.

Good fishing.

Joe

Joe Heater wrote:In Feb we listened to a WDFW Biologists in Electric City explain that they have talked about it before but its not realistic that walleye would survive withouth a constant stocking plan. Never mind the fact that the Columbia River and all its reservoirs are thriving without Walleye ever being stocked. I think its all BS for them not wanting the walleyes over here because they will eat all there precious trout.

I cant blame the state though. I mean I love Walleye fishing and in this state there are probably 100 die hard walleye guys. Compare that to the thousands of trout fanatics. Where do you think the state is going to focus their energy and plans? However, if you do stock lakes over here with Walleye and people get to catching them and tasting them.......who knows what that could turn into. You talk about a money maker. Then again its hard to teach old dogs new tricks.

I am the same way. I came to this state excited about trout and stealhead fishing. A year later and I was driving all the way to Lake Roosevelt to fish for Walleye. I grew up doing it and its what I love. Even on this side, I fish prodominately for crappies, bluegills and perch. I will go trout fishing still, but it isn't even close to the challenge that walleye fishing provides. They do make good crab bait though.

Good fishing.

Joe

ive never caught a walleye but i bet they make trout super boring.

Walleye are a fun, hard fighting fish JT. And they taste like a super sized perch which I feel is the best part about them!

Ive been fishing for Walleyes religiously since I was 10 years old and I have never heard of anyone saying they are a hard fighting fish. Most of your bigger fish just feel like dead weight. Many times I have brought up walleye not even sure if it is a fish or a stick. Some will put up a fight but they are certainly not a hard fighting fish. At least not for my money they arent. A smallmouth Bass is a hard fighting fish.

The two best parts of walleye are their taste and their ability to change their minds at the drop of a hat. I could tell you how deep, what color, how fast, what method I was using and slaughtered them on Tuesday and Wednesday it would make no difference becasue they would want something else and a different speed, different depth in a different location. So therefore its the challenge that I like. I only wish they were closer so I didnt have to spend so much money for a challenge.

I retire in Jan and by April I hope to be working in Wenatchee or Spokane and save some gas money. Not to mention midweek trips for Walleye.

Good fishing.

Joe

Joe Heater wrote:Ive been fishing for Walleyes religiously since I was 10 years old and I have never heard of anyone saying they are a hard fighting fish. Most of your bigger fish just feel like dead weight. Many times I have brought up walleye not even sure if it is a fish or a stick. Some will put up a fight but they are certainly not a hard fighting fish. At least not for my money they arent. A smallmouth Bass is a hard fighting fish.

The two best parts of walleye are their taste and their ability to change their minds at the drop of a hat. I could tell you how deep, what color, how fast, what method I was using and slaughtered them on Tuesday and Wednesday it would make no difference becasue they would want something else and a different speed, different depth in a different location. So therefore its the challenge that I like. I only wish they were closer so I didnt have to spend so much money for a challenge.


Joe

I second that, they don't fight worth a crap. My biggest one was almost 8 lbs, I thought I had a log.

They're probably the best tasting freshwater fish there is.

Would be cool to see them stock Lake Washington or Sammamish with wallies.

A river Walleye, like ones on Rufus, do have more fight in them IMO than a lake Eye. But Joe wouldnt know much about that so his opinion on that matter is void

The few times I have hooked into a large Walleye, over say 5 pounds, well then they seem to have some fight in them. I do like the way they pull, you get that Walleye headshake. If I wanna fight them I guess I could pull a Henton and open my drag all the way and fight them for 15 minutes :bounce:

I dont have a great batting average on the Columbia River walleye fishery. Ive caught 7 in 10 days of fishing. 5 of them 1 day, 2 of them another, skunked 8 other days. Its been a very very unkind river to me. I know some peole that claim their worst day ever on the Columbia River is 11. Then again I know for a fact their worse day ever on Banks is a big fat donut hole. Kick it ole school.

Joe