Lake Crescent vs Lake Sutherland

[pickardjw]

I'm going to be camping out near Port Angeles this weekend and I'm split between fishing Lake Crescent or Lake Sutherland. I've read all the reports for both lakes and it's a tough choice!

Lake Sutherland Pros:
Good Kokanee population (I've never caught one)
Allowed to retain fish
Allowed to use bait
Overall chances of success are probably higher
Boat launch access seems easier

Lake Crescent Pros:
Endemic beardslee trout population (never caught one of these either, obviously)

I am going to fish Saturday and Sunday hopefully, so I could do both lakes theoretically. Is it worth potentially getting skunked to try for a Beardslee or should I try to stack up some Kokes? Don't have a downrigger but should be able to get some lures down to them.

[Mike Carey]

I have not fished Crescent but have fished Sutherland (there's a video on our YouTube page). I would fish Sutherland. Although, Crescent would be the pretty lake to be on...and also get blown off if it gets windy. Two days, heck, try em both. Or, fish Sutherland in the morning for the kok bite and Crescent the rest of the day, they are that close.

[pickardjw]

That's a good idea Mike, hadn't really given a two lake day a thought. While I have your ear, is there anything to catch shore fishing up that way? I'm going to be staying at a place with beach access and figure I could spend some late afternoon/evening time with a rod in the water.

[Mike Carey]

That's a good idea Mike, hadn't really given a two lake day a thought. While I have your ear, is there anything to catch shore fishing up that way? I'm going to be staying at a place with beach access and figure I could spend some late afternoon/evening time with a rod in the water.

I assume you mean saltwater? You may be able to pick off some surf perch.

[rseas]

Sutherland would be my choice for fry-pan fish. The kokanee are willing biters and downriggers are not required.

Salt or Freshwater shore fishing will be kind of tough. Not a lot of options in the area.

[islandbass]

Agreed on the wind at Crescent. It can be brutal, but the lake is so beautiful. I don't know how, but I managed to catch a trout from the shore a few years ago. I thought I had my beardsly trout, then I looked at it was a cuttthroat. No complaining, though. It was a tough catch and I earned it, lol. The poor trout's take was so subtle that I was not only in denial when I started reeling up the slack, but also the trout didn't even realize it was hooked as it swam toward me, and unafraid. I take it these trout don't get pressured much. Good luck!

[pickardjw]

Went to Lake Sutherland, only one koke and he came off at the boat! Some gorgeous cutthroat in the lake though.