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I fished Burke today, but only a few casts with a Kastmaster after limiting on my favorite of the smaller lakes in the Quincy Wildlife Area. Hit the lake at about 6 and found it iced over at the usual end so I hiked around to the opposite side. Had the lake to myself at first and missed a few bites while waiting for my brother-in-law to arrive. He finally showed up and landed the first fish at about 7, but I caught and eventually passed him, limiting at 10:30. We both used Rainbow Powerbait, mine about 10" off the bottom. I C&R'd 4 more waiting for him to limit. Used a Rooster Tail (green body, green blade which I call the (secret) lake special) and then a rainbow Kastmaster, both fished slow and low with a twitch here and there. As usual, all bites came within about 15-20 feet off shore. I've always loved watching folks cast their 2oz. weights to the middle and then getting frustrated when they get skunked. More fish for me when they leave, whining the whole way.

All 10 and all the released fish were about 14", not much variation. They were pretty plump for their size, but nothing like the 5+ pound holdovers I've landed there in the past. I was told later that that particular lake hasn't been stocked in a couple years, so I guess holdovers won't come until next year.

Only one other fisherman passed, claiming to have caught a 6 pounder on the lake above. Seemed trustworthy.

Stan Coffin was mostly still iced over, Quincy a little clearer, and Burke was pretty much ice free. Not sure if the ice or the fact that the opener was on a Tuesday kept people away, but it was almost deserted out there. The only concentration was at Burke where I counted about 20 people within sight of the boat launch and one pontoon boat.

It snowed all morning but who cares? Awesome day.

bionic_one

3/2/2011 12:52:00 PM

It sounds as though you've broken two rules in the WDFW fishing regulation. It doesn't sound like you meant to, but - You are not allowed to continue fishing after you've caught your limit, even if it's C&R and you are not allowed to catch and release trout when using bait

scoutii304

3/2/2011 1:19:00 PM

Bionic,

None of the fish caught on bait were released. I switched the Rooster Tail and Kastmaster to single barbless, and only released the fish caught on those lures.

But, I wasn't aware that I couldn't C&R after I got my limit. As much as I try to know and follow the regs, I admit that I simply overlooked that clause. I understand that ignorance is no defense and I'm extremely embarrassed that I broke the rule. I appreciate you pointing out my mistake and in the future I will absolutely follow the regulation. Thank you.

The Jigmiester

3/2/2011 1:20:00 PM

Hey bro. Great report! I was curious about the ice off of the launch at the Rd. 3 / East end of Burke...Can you launch a boat in there at all? Jiggy

scoutii304

3/2/2011 2:03:00 PM

Sorry, I didn't get down to Rd. 3, but I didn't see any ice at all from the launch at the west end. Temps in the high 40's the next few days may eliminate most of the ice on Quincy and any that might remain on Burke.

Jay K

3/2/2011 5:28:00 PM

@bionic_one - To clarify, you CAN C&R when fishing bait for trout, however the distinction is that when you've caught five equal to or greater than minimum size on bait, you're done for the day whether you released them or not (pg 27 of regs). You are correct in that you cannot continue fishing in any fashion after having limited. One interesting reading now that I'm looking at is, however, is in rivers, streams and beaver ponds it states: "When fishing with bait, all TROUT (except STEELHEAD) equal to or greater than the minimum size are counted as part of the daily limit whether kept or released. So, theoretically, if one were fishing in a river, stream or beaver pond which has a 8" size minimum, with bait, if you can catch & release all you want if they're all under 8". Since lakes have no min size, all are counted towards the limit, but that doesn't seem to be the case in rivers/streams.

Mike Carey

3/2/2011 6:03:00 PM

Thanks guys for the civil way this was handled. I will leave it up to scoutii304 how he wants to handle the report from here. The comments serve as a good educational tool for anglers so I hate to just delete the report outright.

raffensg64

3/2/2011 6:06:00 PM

Hey......as far as I'm concerned he was just fishing for other species (if any!) that exist in the lake! My question is, why use PB when lures are working? Good thing is he learned something today about WA's regs.

bionic_one

3/2/2011 7:39:00 PM

There are way too many rules for anyone to remember them all. The reports are read by a lot more people than you'd think, and my only purpose was to make sure someone else didn't read it and think "hey I can do that too". Scoutii obviously didn't have any intention to do something bad.

scoutii304

3/2/2011 9:53:00 PM

raffensg64: Good question! I guess being on a stocked lake on opening day and "competing" with my brother-in-law seemed to call for bait. My usual apprach is to start with the spinners or even the fly rod, and I usually don't care too much about numbers. Most of the fishing I've done in the last 20 years or so has been on C&R only, fly fishing only, or selective gear water. I guess I was fishing for results first and fun second.

Bionic_one: Thank you again for pointing out my violation. Sadly, I've been ticketed twice in my life and even though I didn't intend to do anything wrong, my ignorance of the regulations cost me. I'm glad that you posted and do hope that others might learn from my mistake.

Skeeterpilot

3/3/2011 11:47:00 AM

Per the Washington State Fishing Regulations booklet effective from May 1 2010 to April 31 2011:

Burke LAKE (Grant Co.) All Game Fish Mar. 1-July 31 Statewide min. size/daily limit.

It is my understanding that Burke Lake is CLOSED! It is only open for a 3 month season every year. Am I missing something?

Skeeterpilot

3/3/2011 12:04:00 PM

I forgot is was March already Dang, where does time go?

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