Steelheadin360
5/28/2013 1:36:00 PMI fish lake stevens 3-4 times a week and some days are hot, others its alot of work to scratch out a few fish. If you want to really get into kokanee fishing i would pick up a few dodgers, my favorites are the pink splatter dick nites and the pink/purple dick nite. A couple of wedding rings in some different colors. run those 12-14" behind the dodger and tip with either shoepeg corn or bekely gulp maggots. Stop by Gregs Rod shop and he will set you up
15-40 feet has been working good for me on that lake, just try to find a school of fish and if you pick up one or two try to turn around and go back thru them. I usaully try to post what worked for me in my reports and often put pictures of the "hot" lures. hopefully that helps
15-40 feet has been working good for me on that lake, just try to find a school of fish and if you pick up one or two try to turn around and go back thru them. I usaully try to post what worked for me in my reports and often put pictures of the "hot" lures. hopefully that helps
Smalma
5/28/2013 2:01:00 PMFirst on the City of Lake Stevens boat launch your WDFW permit is valid is no need to pay the fee; just hang your permit in the front window.
On Stevens (and most kokanee waters) the late morning and early afternoon is often the toughest kokanee fishing period of the day. The attraction of Stevens kokanee beside the fact that kokanee are found to catch and even better earing is that historically Stevens has provide decent catch rates on nice size kokanee. This time of year (especially mid-day) a good depth finder is a must so that you can target the depth the fish are holding.
You might consider Roesiger; the north (far lake) has good numbers of smallish kokanee that are easier to target than the Stevens fish. It also has trout, bass and panfish.
Finally no doubt you caught fish in Flowing that looked like "kokanee" but they were most likely residual coho. For many differentiating between those coho and kokanee is difficult.
Curt
On Stevens (and most kokanee waters) the late morning and early afternoon is often the toughest kokanee fishing period of the day. The attraction of Stevens kokanee beside the fact that kokanee are found to catch and even better earing is that historically Stevens has provide decent catch rates on nice size kokanee. This time of year (especially mid-day) a good depth finder is a must so that you can target the depth the fish are holding.
You might consider Roesiger; the north (far lake) has good numbers of smallish kokanee that are easier to target than the Stevens fish. It also has trout, bass and panfish.
Finally no doubt you caught fish in Flowing that looked like "kokanee" but they were most likely residual coho. For many differentiating between those coho and kokanee is difficult.
Curt
downriggeral
5/28/2013 10:32:00 PMKokanee are a challenge; that's what makes it fun plus they are great to smoke and eat. All of the advice given is spot on. You might also want to take a look at the Kokanee Fishing Forum, lots of great info there too.
Alan, kokanee fisherman in Eastern Washington.
Alan, kokanee fisherman in Eastern Washington.
vvstevens
5/31/2013 6:29:00 AMThanks very much for taking the time to comment.
I Googled the pink splatter dick nite and found many links specific to Kokanee fishing. I'm eager to look into these further and pick up some of these items. I am not experienced with downrigger fishing, but I did have 2 installed on my boat. I would call much of my usage 'just practice', though I did hook one at Flowing lake that jumped all over the place (making me think it might be Kokanee). I promise I'll study the difference.
I have noticed that using downriggers on small lakes takes some work (or a driver that knows the depths well). But I guess that means I get a lot of cranking practice.
As for Lake Roesiger, I blush to say that the absence of a dock makes this seem difficult. I've been looking at You Tube vids to see how it's done. The lake map for Roesiger is very alluring, as it seems like it offers diverse fishing possibilies.
I Googled the pink splatter dick nite and found many links specific to Kokanee fishing. I'm eager to look into these further and pick up some of these items. I am not experienced with downrigger fishing, but I did have 2 installed on my boat. I would call much of my usage 'just practice', though I did hook one at Flowing lake that jumped all over the place (making me think it might be Kokanee). I promise I'll study the difference.
I have noticed that using downriggers on small lakes takes some work (or a driver that knows the depths well). But I guess that means I get a lot of cranking practice.
As for Lake Roesiger, I blush to say that the absence of a dock makes this seem difficult. I've been looking at You Tube vids to see how it's done. The lake map for Roesiger is very alluring, as it seems like it offers diverse fishing possibilies.