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The Baker Lake sockeye opener was, interesting… We didn’t think that we were going to fish it but a broken leg has its advantages. We had been scheduled to do a tuna trip but with Karen’s leg still healing we figured that an offshore tuna trip was not what the Dr. would have ordered. We changed gears at the last minute, loaded up the camping gear and headed to Baker Lake for a few beers in the woods and sockeye fishing.

Before I get into the fishing report please allow me to address the politics associated with the fishery. First, other than being a customer I am not nor ever have been associated with PSE. Over the weekend while hanging around the campground and boat ramp many people were blaming PSE for the low sockeye counts and low catch rates. The reality is; if it were not for the efforts of PSE we would not have a sockeye fishery on Baker Lake. Although there are various regulatory agencies involved: including WDFW, Tribal Agencies and the federal agency that issues the 50 year Hydroelectric permit. The overall management and production in support of the Baker Lake sockeye program is funded by PSE. I for one am thankful for their efforts.

Historically, up until 2010 there had never been a sockeye sports fishery on Baker Lake. July 21st, 2010 the lake opened for the first time with a total run size of around 14,000 fish, I believe that there was a total of around 7,000 sockeye transported to the lake and it was an awesome fishery. Since then there have been good years and years where the fishing was challenging. But from the humble beginning the number of fish transported to the lake has trended up with 47,000 forecasted for the 2017 return.

I believe that the biggest influence on the fishery is the previous year’s snow pack and current weather pattern. This year we have a near record snow pack and 3 or 4 weeks of hot weather leading up to the opener. The lake level is high and with the glacial melt the subsurface water temperature is cold. Just as we saw last year the fishing is tough. That doesn’t mean it will be a bad year with no fish to catch, just an opportunity to become better fisherman through figuring the fishery out. Opening weekend was tough for many fishermen but there were some bright spots. Some boats limited out but our boat struggled. We went 6 for about 15-20 fish hooked, we also experienced many drive-bys. I believe that our low catch rate was because the fish were not very aggressive. May be the result of the cold water or could have been because the fish are fresh and not schooled up yet. In an attempt to become better fisherman, our next trip I will be making some gear and bait changes to try and hook the light biters.

Camping and fishing… Friday we took a good chunk of the day and motored around the lake, scouting all our usual sockeye hangouts. We found sockeye both where expected and a few in new locations. When we found fish, I would mark them and then move on looking for more fish. By Saturday morning we had a sockeye map and a plan! Saturday morning up at 2:00 for a 2:30 launch and we were slowly motoring up the lake to my honey hole. On station at first daybreak I had lots of individual fish on the meter but unlike Friday they were not schooled up. Thinking that I am the Sockeye Master, no big deal and we went gear down anyway. We trolled for the next two hours and other than a swing and a miss and a very healthy dolly we had nothing to show for our efforts. The early morning hours behind us we made a quick move and started our troll. Almost immediately one of the downriggers pops and the Sleeping Bag Queen is in a battle with our first sockeye of 2017. The fish was a mean one but after a couple scorching runs, a barrage of aerial displays and a trip through the rest of the lines, hearts pumping we slid the net under a beautiful 7 # sockeye. Over the next 3 days the scenario was replayed numerous times. Sometimes we would win, others we were left scratching our heads trying to figure out what we did wrong. Wrong or otherwise, we were catching sockeye!

I intentionally did not reference a specific location. We either caught or lost fish everywhere we fished. We fished both ends of the lake and the middle. We had action in some of the stock locations and we were able to persuade fish to bite in some unusual locations. The lesson forward is that you don’t have to fish the armada of sockeye seekers, there are fish to be had throughout the lake. Much of the lake is untouched, go exploring!

Regarding the gear and technique, we ran many different rigs with different levels of success. On our boat, the common denominator was orange. We had action on other colors but orange was the most consistent producer. Other people reported that small UV pink hoochies were their go to. Most people ran their lures 8-10” behind an “0” dodger. For us both the downrigger and dropper setups worked. We ran spinner/bead set-ups, hoochies, flies and Brads Super Baits. All worked but we didn’t really establish any patterns or sort out the go to lure choice. For bait, Friday night I had cutup some frozen prawns and cured them with a few different egg cures but I may rethink the plan for the next trip. Although we trolled at various speeds from 0.8-1.4 mph it seemed that 1.1 mph was the ticket. We caught fish down to about 48’ but the most consistent producing depth was in the low to mid 30s. I chased meter marks with the downriggers and it seemed that if we held a straight line after a meter mark we were more inclined to get a hook-up out of the meter mark.

Our trip was a blast and a fishing buddy fished and camped with us Sunday and Monday. As always endless conversation, kidding and I DON’T NEED 4 downriggers!!! The 2017 sockeye are beautiful and our fish tipped the scale at 6.2-8.1 pounds.

Hunter757

7/12/2017 7:14:50 AM

Great report Randy, your 100% correct on PSE without them no fish!! I was the one who said hello on the water Sunday morning as you were cleaning the windshields off right before you guys hooked a fish next to us! We only came home with one but had fun.

Tight lines,
Eric

rseas

7/12/2017 7:44:04 AM

Hey Eric, it was good meeting you. I didn't have my glasses on or even with me so wasn't sure who said hi. I love the BL fishery, probably one of my favorite fisheries.

afk

7/12/2017 7:27:51 AM

Thanks for the report and pics. Randy. Did you end up getting a "catch cooler"?

rseas

7/12/2017 7:49:11 AM

We have a few catch coolers and are using them in the transom fish box. Thank you for reminding me to dig them out.

I am considering having a custom insulated bag made for the transom fish box on my TJ. I am having the design priced out so we'll see where that goes.

rmrauscher

7/12/2017 8:39:39 AM

Hey Randy, do you have any recommendation for launch locations. Never been to Bake Lake and thinking its about time. Thanks

rseas

7/12/2017 8:58:22 AM

There are 4 general use launches and 1 launch available with a campground reservation. They are:

Kulshan
Horseshoe Cove
Swift Creek
Panorama Point

The Shannon Creek launch is at ground zero for the sockeye fishing but you have to be camped at the campground to use the launch.

All the launches will be busy and the launches at Kulshan and Swift Creek are paved with docks. The others are beach launches.

rseas

7/12/2017 9:00:25 AM

There are 4 general use launches and 1 launch available with a campground reservation. They are: Kulshan, Horseshoe Cove, Swift Creek and Panorama Point. The Shannon Creek launch is at ground zero for the sockeye fishing but you have to be camped at the campground to use the launch. All the launches will be busy and the launches at Kulshan and Swift Creek are paved with docks. The others are beach launches.

Dugout

7/12/2017 9:21:12 AM

Great report! We're heading up on the 16th. One question, How we're the mosquitos?

rseas

7/12/2017 9:51:38 AM

What's a mosquito? Between the flying little chainsaws and the biting flies you'll never be the same? Strongly recommend bug juice and a camp area repellent of some sort.

Billm

7/12/2017 9:43:58 AM

Great report. and I agree with you point of view regarding PSE. Thank you.

MPM

7/12/2017 4:15:57 PM

Thanks for the great report! I'm not scheduled to get up there until the end of the month but it's nice getting the advance intelligence reports from other anglers!

WheresDaFish

7/12/2017 6:18:59 PM

Great report! Thanks! ????

WheresDaFish

7/12/2017 6:19:54 PM

Those question marks are supposed to be thumbs up. Haha. Oops

Kisutch

7/12/2017 9:16:57 PM

Good to see some success! Saturday was my first day ever on this fishery, and Sunday my 2nd. We unfortunately walked away empty handed and scratching our heads, the only sockeye we saw all weekend was a ~6lb curious one that followed our gear all the way to the boat during a bait check before swimming away. Didn't see a single one caught near us Saturday while combatting the crowds, so Sunday I went exploring far away from the other boats and found some nice marks on the downrigger, but couldn't convince any of them to take a ride with me. I can't wait to get back up there and try out some new presentations and strategies. The hunt is on!

bassplayer17

7/12/2017 9:32:29 PM

Great times buddy and yes you do need 4 downriggers !!!!!

hookset'n

7/12/2017 11:09:04 PM

Come out with me on the black Wooldridge Randy. You'll be snatching up another pair of riggers in no time.

rseas

7/13/2017 6:19:17 AM

Oh man. You're ganging up on me...

afk

7/13/2017 7:03:11 AM

Randy, I don't think they are ganging up on you. I thought they were going to donate to the cause! LOL

rseas

7/13/2017 7:37:49 AM

Donations are good! The Rseas financial committtee has said no to additional downriggers... Hmmm, maybe she's already planning for Christmas!

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