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JoAnn and I got to Baker for our much anticipated yearly fishing/boating/gunk holing trip. The reports for Baker seemed to be “OK”, however, the fish counts are way down this year vrs. Last year. Current return numbers are (7/24) 9,770 return and 4,705 transferred to the lake. Considering the last two years we had 27 and 28,000 fish return, these numbers are looking not so hot. And, the fishing shows.

We arrived Sunday afternoon and fished Sunday PM, Monday AM and PM, and Tuesday AM. We ran four rods of standard sockeye gear. I also mixed in a kwikfish on occasion just to give the fish something different to look at.

We ran all types of terminal gear combinations, and used shrimp always. We targeted depths (35-65 ft) and chased meter marks (at least until my depth finder conked out). We trolled from 0.8 to 1.6mph. In short, we tried everything. Mornings we fished 5am to noon, evenings 3-7pm. We were greeted with a practically full moon, beautiful sunny mornings, and typical windy afternoons.

The results were painful. Skunked Sunday, one bite (lost) Monday, and one fish at 6:35am on Tuesday morning, at 50 ft deep.

Results all around us were poor. I never saw more than a rare fish caught. I heard tell of a double, and saw a couple guys leave with what I assume to be early morning limits. But mostly, I saw a lot of bored, idle anglers going in circles. I hate to paint a grim picture but this fishery for 2013 I would say is a far cry from the last two years. JoAnn’s comment – “that was bad, bad, bad”.

So, while the occasional angler may hit it good, overall be prepared for some tough fishing, unless things change considerably.

Heck, I even soaked crawfish pots for two days with nada. I used shad. Maybe next time I’ll try something else.

rseas

7/25/2013 5:59:00 AM

I'm wondering if this run of sunny weather has had a effect on the fishing? I have heard that the early "test" fishery was quite positive and seemed to support a healthy return. I hope that the lack of rain has kept the big push of fish out in the salt. Mike, sorry about the tough fishing but good job on the fish you did get.

Gringo Pescador

7/25/2013 6:56:00 AM

What's "gunk holing" ?

Toni

7/25/2013 8:01:00 AM

2nd Gringo's "what's gunk holing"? Looks like you should chase some landlocked sockeye.

oneshot

7/25/2013 10:21:00 AM

if the fishing ain't hot at least its a super beautiful area to hang out at.. :)

Droopy

7/25/2013 10:24:00 AM

The Indians love to show a great positive run, so they can rape and pillage the run, went over the baker river in Concrete, 8 boats had the enitre river corked with Nets, that day only 34 fish made it to the trap. you have 300+ fish a day, Nets go in, numbers reduce to 30-70 fish a day. Weather was just as nice last year. River was little higher about 2-3 feet, higher in the skagit. why would you even Net for sockeye, they could be taken right from the traps and that way you get no incidentals on other species. Sorry about the rant, Number 1 factor are Nets.

Mike Carey

7/25/2013 10:31:00 AM

"Gunkholing is a boating and sea kayaking term referring to a type of cruising in shallow or shoal water, meandering from place to place, spending the nights in coves. The term refers to the gunk, or mud, typical of the creeks, coves, marshes, sloughs, and rivers that are referred to as gunkholes. While not necessary, gunkholers typically seek out the serenity of isolated anchorages over the crowds of marinas and popular bays, and a minimal draft is preferred, since gunkholers tend to go as far up and into the gunkholes as possible, seeking ever more inaccessible destinations." (Wikipedia). The term may not be the best used for Baker lake. Hey rseas, we dropped crawfish pots at Noisy Creek (11 ft, outside the creek mouth) and at our anchorage. Nada. What did you use for bait? They sure weren't interested in shad.

racfish

7/25/2013 1:46:00 PM

Are Flatfish allowed in Baker Lake?Back in the day we only used them.

Mike Carey

7/25/2013 4:42:00 PM

I don't know a reason they wouldn't be, no special regs in effect I'm aware of.

bryanpeck

7/26/2013 11:47:00 PM

Thanks for the report Mike. Sorry about the tough luck. What part of the lake were the presumed early limit boat coming from? Last time out I saw some guys working the shallows way up toward the head of the lake and a few of them also bugged out early. I'm wondering if the angling pressure is pushing the fish up onto the shallows where there is less activity. Will be back at the lake myself this Sunday, Monday, Tuesday...see how it goes.

Mike Carey

7/27/2013 10:22:00 AM

Don't know where, think noisy creek. We'll be there Sunday-Monday as well

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