Rip...I like to use the same tactic for Long Lake rainbow as I do down on Rufus Woods. Generally, Long lining large wooly bugger flies, in olive or black, with a clear swimdisk ahead of the the fly, along with an 1/8th oz. bullet sinker ahead of the disk to get it down. You can tip it with a piece of crawler for scent. One of my favorite baits is #5 silver/clown colored countdown Rapala, longline trolled up to a 150' behind the boat. Troll anywhere from 1.3 to 2.5 miles an hour over the central basin of Long, down at the lower section of the resevoir. The Bows seem to like to suspend a lot and if there's some kind of mild current, I've caught Rainbows to 22" out there. The Jigmiester

I have heard of several that catch trout, mostly Bows, in Long. I also know that some target the Salmon that wash down as young fish from Coeur d' Alene, with some of them getting a few pounds. I suspect that for the most part, Long is not fished hard for these trout/salmon species, but there are there, and they can be good fishing at times.

I grew up on long. I have caught more browns than bows over the years mainly trolling close to the docks or shore line using shallow running plugs like a ripping minnow. You will catch 10 or more squaws for every trout. Most of the trout I have caught there were quite large like a 27'' brown near sunset bay in early april. This is my experience anyways.

Jigmeister - I appreciate the info and tips. How deep do you see the fish suspended, shallow?
Anglinarcher - I didn't think the lake got a lot of pressure 4 trout, so if one could find them, it may be really good.
eustace - Browns are good. If I can catch one 27 incher for every 10 squaw I would be happy. Squaw are still fun to catch. Fun to thump over the head too. Early April is here, so I will give it a shot. What area of the lake is referred to as sunset bay? Last question, how does one get on the lake during the winter when the water is low? Do you have to know somebody?

Jigmeister....all the ramps are difficult to launch from when the water is down. From the public ramps to the many private ramps they are all soft squishy mudd when the lake is low. Good news is that the lake is high and very accessible! Sunset Bay is in the 291 bend as you enter Tum Tum. But I would focus my attention to the center of the lake if I were to fish that portion of water for trout. And yes the trout are there! The water is getting green which is much better than the dingy brown of last week. So, maybe it will be good....good luck!
Oh one last question? Has anyone ever caught a Walleye in Long Lake. For years I have fished Long with jigs, crank baits, worms, spinners...well you name it I have thrown it. But I have never caught a Walleye. I have heard guys in the hardware store, pizza factory, etc... talk about catching 5-10 walleye a day! But I have never saw a photo or an actual fish.

ooops....I meant riprap101

There have anecdotally been a few walleye caught, thanks to some bucket biologists in the area, but the lake doesn't generally support them.

I have taken the most bows on rip'n minnows, but there are plenty in the trolled sections noted, as well as the little spokane, but it receives a ton of pressure.

Head to where they recommend, or consider heading all the way to the pool at the dam. I have produced some fish there, all suspended, and never showing up in less than 16" lengths.

BTW, my last Lake Spokane salmon was 5lbs 8oz.

Gisteppo...thanks for the info on the walleye. I feel you are a credible account. I knew it was possible for the walleye to get from Idaho or from a bucket. I was just shocked to hear people say they actually caught a limit. I think they probably fried pike minnow for dinner! LoL! Probably never want to eat another walleye in their lives!!!!

scottpratt.... You refered to walleyes comming in from Idaho in a bucket. Do you mean Pike? I fish in both Washington and Idaho, but I don't know of many walleye in Idaho. I have been told that a guy can go to long lake and find a few Northern Pike but I have never heard of wallys in there. For years I was predominantly a walleye fisherman but about 15 years ago I got hooked on pike fishing and have never looked back since. I know they have been catching pike on the pend orielle river the past few years, but other than that, I think long lake is the only lake in Washington I have heard of them being in. I would love to see the pike population in long lake take off, they're a ton of fun to catch, and they would knock the snot out of that "Pike Minnow" population.

AJ's Dad