Trout fishing on American Lake is good, and perch fishing is heating up, a guide said Tuesday morning, but kokanee fishing has cooled off considerably.
“I keep hearing people say things like ‘The fish have left the state,’ ” said Mike Barr, a kokanee fishing guide based out of Bill’s Boathouse. “People are having a heck of time catching kokanee.”
While American Lake is best known for these landlocked salmon, Barr said anglers are catching trout so easily “it’s almost ridiculous.”
Anglers are catching limits off the Bill’s Boathouse dock, and kokanee anglers are unintentionally catching trout before they can even get their lines out.
LAKES
Spanaway: Bud Herlitzka of the Spanaway Park Boat House says anglers are still catching their limits while trolling with wedding rings and worms.
Tanwax: “It’s really been a good year for fishing,” said Janice Potter of Rainbow Resort. She said anglers are catching trout longer than 16 inches trolling with worms and Wedding Rings. Dock fishing has been steady too.
Sammamish: The smallmouth bass are biting.
Washington: Anglers are catching mostly cutthroats and smallmouth bass.
Chelan: Trout are biting between Minneapolis Beach and the trench, according to Anton Jones of Darrell and Dad’s Guide Service. Lakers action is also hot around Mack Bar near the Mill Bay Boat Launch. Kokanee fishing is also heating up.
Roses: Channel catfish are biting on this Eastern Washington lake, Jones said. Anglers are landing fish as large as 20 pounds using “cut bait off the weed lines,” he said.
SALT WATER
Tacoma: The Point Defiance Boathouse Marina staff say anglers are still trying for lingcod. The area opens for salmon fishing in Friday.
South Sound: Puget Sound is open for salmon fishing south of the Narrows Bridges. The Point Defiance Boathouse Marina staff suggests mooching and jigging near Point Gibson. Reports are also good near Devil’s Head and Johnson’s Point.
North Sound: Part of Marine Area 10 (Seattle and Bremerton) opens Friday for catch-and-release salmon fishing. The open area is north of Point Monroe and Meadow Point. Anglers are catching halibut in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, said Mike Chamberlain of Ted’s Sports Center in Lynnwood.
Sekiu: A report from Olson’s Resort says anglers have done well near Pillar Point and east of the Hoko River using octopus or horse herring.
RIVERS
Columbia: Fly-fishermen will find “great nymphing” on the upper river according to the staff at Yakima’s Evening Hatch Guide Service.
Skagit: Chamberlain says anglers are getting geared up to try for chinook, which opens in some areas Friday.
Skykomish: Opens for trout fishing Friday.
Yakima: The Evening Hatch Guide Service reports that recent rain had the river out of sorts, but conditions are improving. Fly-fishermen should try midges, blue wings, March browns, caddis and salmon flies.
Craig Hill, staff writer craig.hill@thenewstribune.com @AdventureGuys
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