2018 Lucky Peak Reservior Kokanee Fishing Report

[sawtooth]

Many all your Lucky Peak trips be filled with fish and few wakeboard waves.

[terek]

went out sunday, and fished from 2 to 515. Landed 2 trout and 2 kokes. Super windy, made it hard to keep a good speed. Trout were at 15 feet, and the kokes were at 8 ft. Everything is still pretty spread out, not much action on the fish finder. Water was 38*

[terek]

I keep hearing "gooseneck bay" and "charcoal bay" and have no idea what ya'll are talking about. Can I get some enlightenment????

[nakinney]

I keep hearing "gooseneck bay" and "charcoal bay" and have no idea what ya'll are talking about. Can I get some enlightenment????

Look at this map.
http://www.nww.usace.army.mil/Portals/28/docs/recreation/LuckyPeak/TearOffMap.pdf

[terek]

Picked up 6 kokes today. We were marking big schools, but just couldn't get an to bite very often.

[tramos]

Where were you marking them at?

[terek]

Where were you marking them at?

On the east side of gooseneck bay. At the end of the rock wall right be for that big Sandy point that shoots out. We caught all the fish going back and fourth down that rock wall. Turning around off that sand point

[nepetbutler]

I keep hearing "gooseneck bay" and "charcoal bay" and have no idea what ya'll are talking about. Can I get some enlightenment????

you can get a map of the lake at spring shores sheriff office

[Trailbob]

Hoping to take the boat out on Tue for the first time this year. Is the launch ramp at Spring Shores usable, or do we still need to launch by the dam?

[Wishiniwasfishin]

Hoping to take the boat out on Tue for the first time this year. Is the launch ramp at Spring Shores usable, or do we still need to launch by the dam?
Yes Spring Shores ramp is useable even a couple of docks in the water. Good luck up there!

[Trailbob]

Thanks for the quick response Wishin'!

[Pauli]

Has anyone noticed any irregularities in the board lately. I don't see the newest posts until I log in. Once I log in it reacts normally, but until I do, I don't get to see the complete thread. and it happens on all the threads. Just wondering.....

Pauli

[MackayGuy]

Has anyone noticed any irregularities in the board lately. I don't see the newest posts until I log in. Once I log in it reacts normally, but until I do, I don't get to see the complete thread. and it happens on all the threads. Just wondering.....

Pauli

Same here. It’s been that way for over a month for me. Unless I’m logged in I don’t see the last post in a thread....it’s there, but there’s no text.

[Physion]

I launched at Spring Shores, had a slow boat ride for about 4 hours, and decided to come home. Not a single tap. I fished east of the ramp and then went back down the reservoir a little beyond the heli pad.

[Pauli]

I launched at Spring Shores, had a slow boat ride for about 4 hours, and decided to come home. Not a single tap. I fished east of the ramp and then went back down the reservoir a little beyond the heli pad.

Hmmm..... That's disappointing to hear Physion. Hopefully this isn't the "off year" for Kokes on Lucky Peak, but it's still early. I was going to give LP a try sometime next week, but now I may head up to Arrowrock. I prefer fishing Arrowrock over LP because the boat traffic is is much lower there. The road there is just a pain in the butt, though. Seems like the road is mostly in rough shape. I can deal with that, but it seems it like it is always dusty or muddy.....which means a lot more work cleaning up when I pull into the driveway. I'll post a report when I go.

Pauli

[pthept]

Thanks for the report. The board at Sportsman's says the trout bite is "great" and Kokes "good. Maybe a bit over exaggerated?

[kodiak1]

The Sportsman's Warehouse locations publish their fishing reports on the web, and they are often word-for-word the same for months and months on end. Terrible source! Mike

[crappieslayer]

One of the guys I ran into at LP on saturday said that he thought the bite was off because they had raised the water quite a bit. I have seen water level changes do that in the past.

[Physion]

I use this site to track water levels on Lucky Peak. You can also get to other reservoirs from this site.

https://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/ramps/ramp_graph.html?cbtt=LUC&pcode=FB&title=Lucky%20Peak%20Reservoir&ylabel=Reservoir%20Elevation

If the site is correct, Lucky Peak has dropped less than 3 inches since Mar. 5. I don't think that would have much affect on the fishing.

Physion

[H2Oguy]

The USGS are the ones that operate the gage at Lucky Peak. Here is there link. https://waterdata.usgs.gov/id/nwis/uv/?site_no=13201500&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060,00010

[Scottsquatch]

Fished for a few hours on Sunday. No bites the whole day (I'm also a newbie, so take that with a grain of salt). It was a nice day for a boat ride though. Tight lines!

[terek]

Thanks for the report. The board at Sportsman's says the trout bite is "great" and Kokes "good. Maybe a bit over exaggerated?

that board is a joke in the winter time. Never gets updated. I bet that report was posted in august 2017

[terek]

we went up to LP last week and got 1 koke by the dam, then proceeded to get nothing for the next 3 hours. Evening trip. The last time we went, we got 6. But the water level has rose about 20 feet since that trip. Last year the bite turned off when they started to raise the water. Give it a week or 2 after it fills up and they will be back on.

[Pauli]

The wife is out of town for a few days. I figured that it may be a good time to head over to the Columbia river and get in some Springer Salmon fishing..... But forecasted to be way too windy and rainy. Will probably stay local and hit either Lucky Peak or Arrowrock instead. Hmmmm.... Not much action at either reservoir. Right now I'm leaning towards Arrowrock.

Pauli

[pthept]

Fished 3 hours caught 3 on last Tuesday. Water was 38 degrees and cold wind off the water. Doubled Kokes at the second pipe up to the nursery and long lined a trout at the first pipe on orange panther martin.. Kokes on orange kokabow and pop gear. Not yet great fishing but I'm getting cabin fever.

[packgoatguy]

Fished from Spring Shores tuesday March 27, 10:30am-1pm, caught two 16 inch rainbows, one 14 inch koke, and two 17 imch kokes. Lost one other decent koke. Did not see hardly anything on the fish finder, and didnt have any bites until nearly noon. 15-25ft deep. All were caught on red, orange, or watermellon colors, and they seemed to prefer my shrimp flavored shoepeg corn. Had the lake to ourselves for the first half hour, still only 3 or 4 vehicles when we left. Looked like there were a few more down by the dam when we drove past.

[KokaneeJoe]

Fished Lucky Peak Thursday and Friday with poor results. Caught 1 koke and 1 trout on Thursday and nothing on Friday. Fished mostly between spring shores and birch creek at 15 feet or less. Tried many different rigs and scents. Headed up to Anderson today.

[fish4kok]

Fished Lucky Peak Thursday and Friday with poor results. Caught 1 koke and 1 trout on Thursday and nothing on Friday. Fished mostly between spring shores and birch creek at 15 feet or less. Tried many different rigs and scents. Headed up to Anderson today.

Thanks for your report and wishes you have a good fishing day in Anderson. thumbsup

[packgoatguy]

Put in at Spring Shores with my boys, were on the water by about 9am. Had 2 fish in the boat and one other miss within the first 10 minutes... but then only one other bite for the next 4 hours. Lots of other boats on the water, but it wasn't too crowded.

[KokaneeJoe]

Thanks for your report and wishes you have a good fishing day in Anderson. thumbsup

Thank you for the good wishes fish4kok. I hope all is well with you.
We did well at Anderson. See my post under that forum.

[terek]

Fished lucky peak on Friday 3/30 from 2pm to 730pm and did rather well. Fish were at 8-12 feet, bighting herring flavor corn on orange wedding rings

[hooknhunter]

and did rather well.

I have no idea what that means......
But thanks for the report anyway.

[G3 longliner]

I have no idea what that means......
But thanks for the report anyway.

last thursday we got 4 koks, 6 trout and 2 squaw fish at Arrowrock Dont think that was " did rather well" limits of Koks would be that?

[snowman]

Took the grandkids up to Lucky Peak on Wednesday afternoon and fished for a couple of hours near the Forest Service Nursery and Goose Neck Bay. Didn't touch a fish. Fishing with green, red, and white Arrow flashers and hoochies, shoe peg corn, down rigger from 10 to 25 feet.

[snowman]

Spent Wednesday morning at Lucky Peak. Nice boat ride, no fish. Fished with down riggers 10 to 25 feet, sling blades and arrow flashers, hoochies and spinners, red, green, white; shoe peg corn and fire corn. Last year was not good for me at Lucky Peak and this year is not starting out good. Must have a Lucky Peak jinx.

[G3 longliner]

Spent Wednesday morning at Lucky Peak. Nice boat ride, no fish. Fished with down riggers 10 to 25 feet, sling blades and arrow flashers, hoochies and spinners, red, green, white; shoe peg corn and fire corn. Last year was not good for me at Lucky Peak and this year is not starting out good. Must have a Lucky Peak jinx.




Anyone know whats going on at Lucky Peak as far as Koks

[hooknhunter]

I rarely try there anymore. Can't seem to wash the skunk off.

[nepetbutler]

I rarely try there anymore. Can't seem to wash the skunk off.
Kokes are biting at Birch Creek about 24 feet down using bloody tuna with green gulls hoochie

[nickwupper]

Fished this morning from 7-10. Couldn't stay long. Caught 1 trout. 20 inches. Got another bite, but lost it in the way up. Fishing 25'-35' on a DIY down rigger that worked quite well actually. Pretty proud of myself for that. The trout and the other bite was on a watermelon dodger with 6" of leader and a pink and white hoochie with a spinner blade. Both hooks tipped with pink fire corn. Trolling speed was between 1.1-1.4mph. Water temp was 53 degrees. Wasn't marking a lot of fish. Didn't even mark the fish that hit. Wondering if everything is down deep because of the rising temperature and the changing water levels. Quite a bit of debris in the water so look out.

[G3 longliner]

Fished this morning from 7-10. Couldn't stay long. Caught 1 trout. 20 inches. Got another bite, but lost it in the way up. Fishing 25'-35' on a DIY down rigger that worked quite well actually. Pretty proud of myself for that. The trout and the other bite was on a watermelon dodger with 6" of leader and a pink and white hoochie with a spinner blade. Both hooks tipped with pink fire corn. Trolling speed was between 1.1-1.4mph. Water temp was 53 degrees. Wasn't marking a lot of fish. Didn't even mark the fish that hit. Wondering if everything is down deep because of the rising temperature and the changing water levels. Quite a bit of debris in the water so look out.

went thurs. last week trolled 5 hours not one bite talked to three boats, each had one - looks like we missed the morning bite next stop Anderson

[mowrus]

is lucky peak cursed? Has anyone been up and fished lately?

[kodiak1]

is lucky peak cursed? Has anyone been up and fished lately?

Sure seems like it! Wish the F and G would comment. Mike

[livingidoutdoors]

is lucky peak cursed? Has anyone been up and fished lately?

Fished from 7 am to about 1130 on the 5th. Only caught two kokes, lost 1 or two more, and three trout. hardly marked anything either. The ones we did catch we never marked on the finder. Now DR for us so all long lining.

[nepetbutler]

Sure seems like it! Wish the F and G would comment. Mike

Lots o bites at birch creek down 24 on pink flutter hoochie. 1.4 mph. My Garmin 7sv sucks . Getting a replacement tomorrow

[F-Bomb]

We went up for a pre Anderson 4K boat shake down run and since the boat ran good we then fished the white pipe to the helipad area for 2 hours. Two poles standard setup at 10ft to 25ft and we caught 10 rainbows but not a single koke. I'm pretty sure we had one on that we saw some silver flash but it got off. The trout were making it hard to catch kokes. Obviously we weren't dialed in to the right color or depth but we were also limited on time so I "dance with the one that brung me". No large clusters in that small sample size area other than the mouth of Robie which always has a mass of fish but we didn't get any takers there.

Just like the last three years that I have been fishing LP I expect the following. Slow spring and then HOT SUMMER and FALL. Weird because that isn't the traditional kokanee way but it seems to be the deal at LP. Most likely it's a technique issue. I read a lot of sad fishing stories through the year on this particular thread but we've caught a limit or close to nearly every single trip last year when it was supposed to be DED dead. Sometimes you have to stay a long time but that is the POINT!

If you want to catch more fish than a human should ever eat go to Anderson. I like LP because it's a cheap and short trip from the house and I can catch a limit of fat healthy BBQ'ers almost every time. Plus there are way more good looking girls in surf boats to look at....(might as well find a positive to that irritating aspect of the game)

[G3 longliner]

We went up for a pre Anderson 4K boat shake down run and since the boat ran good we then fished the white pipe to the helipad area for 2 hours. Two poles standard setup at 10ft to 25ft and we caught 10 rainbows but not a single koke. I'm pretty sure we had one on that we saw some silver flash but it got off. The trout were making it hard to catch kokes. Obviously we weren't dialed in to the right color or depth but we were also limited on time so I "dance with the one that brung me". No large clusters in that small sample size area other than the mouth of Robie which always has a mass of fish but we didn't get any takers there.

Just like the last three years that I have been fishing LP I expect the following. Slow spring and then HOT SUMMER and FALL. Weird because that isn't the traditional kokanee way but it seems to be the deal at LP. Most likely it's a technique issue. I read a lot of sad fishing stories through the year on this particular thread but we've caught a limit or close to nearly every single trip last year when it was supposed to be DED dead. Sometimes you have to stay a long time but that is the POINT!

If you want to catch more fish than a human should ever eat go to Anderson. I like LP because it's a cheap and short trip from the house and I can catch a limit of fat healthy BBQ'ers almost every time. Plus there are way more good looking girls in surf boats to look at....(might as well find a positive to that irritating aspect of the game)


Sure like the short drive to lucky peak - any weekend reports?

[G3 longliner]

Sure like the short drive to lucky peak - any weekend reports?



going give L P a try tomorrow afternoon - any words of wisdom?

[KokaneeJoe]

going give L P a try tomorrow afternoon - any words of wisdom?

Haven't been there in over a month. I hope you do well. Let us know.

[sturgeon8r]

Fished wednesday from 9 am to 2 pm..
Mouth of robie creek <<<< Nothing.
Birch creek area...... Nothing.
out in front of marina...... 2 trout....

fished 3 rods caught all fish on longline 3/4 oz weight. 75 feet out.

DR's everything from 12 feet to 25 feet. 50 feet back. 75 feet back. NOTHING!!!!!!
saw 1 fish jump.
very few boats. No nets being dipped.
No schools of fish.

HMMMMMMMM.........

nothing like it was 3 years ago...... SAD!!!!!!!!

[G3 longliner]

Fished wednesday from 9 am to 2 pm..
Mouth of robie creek <<<< Nothing.
Birch creek area...... Nothing.
out in front of marina...... 2 trout....

fished 3 rods caught all fish on longline 3/4 oz weight. 75 feet out.

DR's everything from 12 feet to 25 feet. 50 feet back. 75 feet back. NOTHING!!!!!!
saw 1 fish jump.
very few boats. No nets being dipped.
No schools of fish.

HMMMMMMMM.........

nothing like it was 3 years ago...... SAD!!!!!!!!


didnt go yesterday as planned - looks like wed report was a bust - guess i didnt miss anything - all we have is Anderson - did catch some Arrowrock early but have not seen any reports recently - any reports from there?

[MackayGuy]

It’s dead everywhere in Idaho . No one’s catching anything anywhere. Might have to move to California....I hear the bite there is outstanding.

[sturgeon8r]

It’s dead everywhere in Idaho . No one’s catching anything anywhere. Might have to move to California....I hear the bite there is outstanding.


K BYE!!!!!!!! Have a great time in Cali..........

[G3 longliner]

didnt go yesterday as planned - looks like wed report was a bust - guess i didnt miss anything - all we have is Anderson - did catch some Arrowrock early but have not seen any reports recently - any reports from there?




Went yesterday to DLP ( dead lucky peak ) had two on ( a double ) both got off and that was it for the day - not another bite - marked a lot but no takers - talked to one boat which had 2 and saw them net another - only net i saw out I guess Anderson is the only show unless Arrowrock is picking up any one have recent report?

[nepetbutler]

Went yesterday to DLP ( dead lucky peak ) had two on ( a double ) both got off and that was it for the day - not another bite - marked a lot but no takers - talked to one boat which had 2 and saw them net another - only net i saw out I guess Anderson is the only show unless Arrowrock is picking up any one have recent report?
My boss landed a nice koke on lead line with a little Cleo

[John123987]

Any weekend reports at lucky peak?

[G3 longliner]

Any weekend reports at lucky peak?

lots of Googins fished till 10 lost 2 out of 3 bites - did have a hughy on got to boat looked to be close to 20 if not more never has a kok hit like that - pulled it down and it never came back up - thought i was on bottom - jumped at least 4 times - one last run at the boat and snapped the snubber- would have at least liked to measure it - counted over 40 boats heading for Arrowrock - bet that was a cluster Back to Anderson this week

[Flux130]

Any weekend reports at lucky peak? Got one Kok to the boat 17", 5 bows and 1 Chinook on Friday before the crowds showed up.

[terek]

sad to see the poor reports. I figured it would pick up with the heat. Guess its Anderson this weekend...…. I much prefer the 30 min drive to LP over the 2 hour drive to Anderson

[DEALMKR]

Had 5 hits but no fish... using squids with double
hooks and corn. I know they are soft mouthed but
Really? What am I doing wrong??

[DEALMKR]

Had 5 hits but no fish... using squids with double
hooks and corn. I know they are soft mouthed but
Really? What am I doing wrong??

I'm thinking about camping on a dock site for a couple of days. Are they 1 boat 1 camp site and can you have campfires?

I like #31

[KokaneeJoe]

Had 5 hits but no fish... using squids with double
hooks and corn. I know they are soft mouthed but
Really? What am I doing wrong??

Sometimes it helps to just put corn on the top hook (the one closest to the pole) That's what I do when I get a lot of short strikes.

[formulaben]

Had 5 hits but no fish... using squids with double
hooks and corn. I know they are soft mouthed but
Really? What am I doing wrong??

If your gear isn't straight out of the package then sharpen your hooks. I didn't think it was necessary but seemed to have a higher landing rate when I started doing that.

[DEALMKR]

Feed back please?

[hooknhunter]

Feed back please?

Uhm, What he said? ^

Or perhaps your luck is that same as everyone else. That's just Kokanee fishing, is it not?

Oh, now I think I'm up to speed. You wanted feedback on fires and camping. Sorry, I have none.

[F-Bomb]

I'm not stirring the pot (LOL). Not sure that "luck" has anything at all to do with kokanee fishing!

At LP for camping it's an un-regulated first come first serve free for all. Now normal humans see that someone is parked at a dock and move on to an unoccupied dock. (NORMAL) I've seen it all so expect that any given day you might have company at your camp/dock. Most of the good spots that have a fire pit and a cover/table setup are pretty obviously designed for one group. That being said the level of stupidity that I've witnessed up there means it is wise to expect anything! Check with the BLM on fires and burn bans. It's still pretty green so I'm guessing no restrictions yet. Keep in mind that if you light the world on fire you get to pay for it these days.

My thoughts on luck and lucky kokanee fishing might mean a boat full of bikini clad beauties with a cooler full of premium micro beers show up to share your camp/dock. If that happens I change my tune about luck and fishing! That's pretty lucky.nananana

[fish4kok]

Solo fished LP today from 9:30AM ~ 2:30PM. Took home 4 fat kok, 1-18" and other ~ 16". Lost few other when netting, my net is 7' long :) Release 4 rainbow, no Chinook.
Vance dodger + Pink squid + white corn + herring scent. 35' line out 20' depth with DR.

[Patience]

Lucky indeed.
Although I did not see you near me, I too was lucky today, from 9:30 - 3, 16.5 - 18, only Kokes, near Gooseneck Bay, homemade dodger & spinner, corn with anise.
9451

Solo fished LP today from 9:30AM ~ 2:30PM. Took home 4 fat kok, 1-18" and other ~ 16". Lost few other when netting, my net is 7' long :) Release 4 rainbow, no Chinook.
Vance dodger + Pink squid + white corn + herring scent. 35' line out 20' depth with DR.

[pthept]

Fished from 3-7 pm, yes through the storm until lightning forced us into the bar for an hour. Anyway water temp is nearly 70 degrees and fish were at 2 and half colors on the lead core and all four hit the orange kokabow behind pop gear. The pink got no action and yesterday. Marked most of the fish from point directly across from Spring Shores. Maybe the bite is warming up?

[terek]

Feed back please?

I quit camping there, since my last time 3 years ago. People have NO respect anymore. We regularly had googins/Californians pulling up to my dock and tying up to it, and using it like it was theirs. At one time, I couldn't even get my boat out, because I had 3 other boats tied so close to mine. All their kids were swimming and crowding my dock, that my 3 and 4 year olds could not even play. I finally had had enough and about got into a fist fight with another father. We finally packed up our camping stuff and went home..... a day early...….. On the way out I thanked the very rude man by dumping all my garbage, out of the bag, into his boat, as we pulled away. Hes lucky I didn't shoot him...…. so rude, and no thought as to how rude they were, and basically didn't care my kids could not even play.

So ya, have fun camping at that **** hole. The fishing isn't good enough to deal with that, as well as the ski boats coming within 20 feet of you at full speed when your trolling.

[JTM]

I quit camping there, since my last time 3 years ago. People have NO respect anymore. We regularly had googins/Californians pulling up to my dock and tying up to it, and using it like it was theirs. At one time, I couldn't even get my boat out, because I had 3 other boats tied so close to mine. All their kids were swimming and crowding my dock, that my 3 and 4 year olds could not even play. I finally had had enough and about got into a fist fight with another father. We finally packed up our camping stuff and went home..... a day early...….. On the way out I thanked the very rude man by dumping all my garbage, out of the bag, into his boat, as we pulled away. Hes lucky I didn't shoot him...…. so rude, and no thought as to how rude they were, and basically didn't care my kids could not even play.

So ya, have fun camping at that **** hole. The fishing isn't good enough to deal with that, as well as the ski boats coming within 20 feet of you at full speed when your trolling.

I have had the same thing happen at unlucky peak, it is a challenge I now go early and am off by noon to avoid the Googins.

[DEALMKR]

For a couple of nights. Should be less googins
To deal with. How come their aren't more rainbows
At LP ?

[nepetbutler]

Lucky indeed.
Although I did not see you near me, I too was lucky today, from 9:30 - 3, 16.5 - 18, only Kokes, near Gooseneck Bay, homemade dodger & spinner, corn with anise.
9451
Fattys at birch creek. Rocking Katy Perry. Using Paulina peak flutter bug.down 22ft ,1.4 mph. So much fun.

[fish4kok]

Lucky indeed.
Although I did not see you near me, I too was lucky today, from 9:30 - 3, 16.5 - 18, only Kokes, near Gooseneck Bay, homemade dodger & spinner, corn with anise.
9451

I fished between Pipeline Gulch and Charcoal creek SW side from Gooseneck Bay. Nice catch!
Yesterday I stopped by Kokanee Tackle Shop to buy some squids but Chris closed the shop at 3:00PM. He left the note that he went fishing and won't be back until Tuesday.

[Pauli]

I'm going to head up an try my luck sometime this coming week. You would think that LP wouldn't be too crowded till the weather warms up again over the next week. I like to fish early in the morning and only on week days (fortunate to be retired). Has anyone ever wondered how so many young adults can afford those $60k - $90k wakeboard boats, and then see them back a $60k 4x4 Diesel pickup down the ramp??? I made a great living as a military and commercial pilot and still hesitated to shell out huge bucks for some of the toys that they have. It's just amazing to be at the ramp and see all of these expensive toys being hauled around by such young people.

Pauli

[MackayGuy]

I'm going to head up an try my luck sometime this coming week. You would think that LP wouldn't be too crowded till the weather warms up again over the next week. I like to fish early in the morning and only on week days (fortunate to be retired). Has anyone ever wondered how so many young adults can afford those $60k - $90k wakeboard boats, and then see them back a $60k 4x4 Diesel pickup down the ramp??? I made a great living as a military and commercial pilot and still hesitated to shell out huge bucks for some of the toys that they have. It's just amazing to be at the ramp and see all of these expensive toys being hauled around by such young people.

Pauli

I always wonder how the younger folks afford all the expensive toys, but then they’re likely up to their eyes in debt, whereas I (and likely you) don’t owe anybody anything.

[DEALMKR]

Big Truck Pmt + Big Boat Pmt + Big House Pmt
Lose a job and bingo... BK and foreclosure.
Over Exiended...
New Duramax $70000 I don't know how They can sell them... As it should be I'm 63 with everything
Paid for...

[G3 longliner]

Big Truck Pmt + Big Boat Pmt + Big House Pmt
Lose a job and bingo... BK and foreclosure.
Over Exiended...
New Duramax $70000 I don't know how They can sell them... As it should be I'm 63 with everything
Paid for...

9455

LP yesterday - did catch some fish released a chinook two trout and some small kokes - did put a few in cooler - one was 17 in. but was a football - Googins out by 1 so got ugly

[hooknhunter]

9455

LP yesterday - did catch some fish released a chinook two trout and some small kokes - did put a few in cooler - one was 17 in. but was a football - Googins out by 1 so got ugly

Football might be an understatement.

[terek]

gonna try this evening for a few hours. Any tips on depth? seems a lot of you are fishing at gooseneck, any luck across from spring shores?

[pollackoke]

As G-daughter and I were pulling out about 2 PM Friday, IF&G were backing their stocking truck down Spring Shores ramp. They dumped a big slug of Koke fingerlings. Big thrill for my G-daughter. Truck driver said they had made a dump somewhere below and were heading up to Arrowrock next. The beat goes on - lucky us.

[terek]

We fished from 6-9. Got one 8", and two 18" fatties. Fattest fish I have got out of L.P. ever. 25ft and only got bites on pink hoochies

[John123987]

Fished from 5 to 8:30pm. Caught 1 rainbow and released 1 small koke. Few other small hits. Caught them both on green dodger with pink hoochie tipped with firecorn trolling from white pipe to gooseneck about 25’-30’ down. Not much goin on but talked to some anglers at the ramp and they caught 1 big one near white pipe. Heading up to Anderson tomorrow. DONT FEED THE DUCKS! Followed for awhile and got annoying.

[Patience]

Only caught 4 yesterday, 14 - 17"

[terek]

Only caught 4 yesterday, 14 - 17"


pretty good for this year. what time of day? I have found its been better in the pm

[Patience]

10:30 - 4. Near Mack's Creek.

They're not as big as the fish caught from the Goose Neck Bay area

[F-Bomb]

Fished on Sunday and while it was a beautiful day the fishing at LP is brutally slow. We boated only one nice almost 18" football and lost another that was it's twin right at the net. Then only about 5 pop off's with no fish and that was it. Slowest fishing at LP in history for my boat. Did see another boat catch a decent fish on a rainbow colored dodger and orange looking squid. We used our standard orange spinner flasher combo. Tried all depths from 6ft to 45ft. Most of our bites were at the 28ft that seems to be a popular depth for us both Anderson and LP. One fish we didn't land was on 1/2 ounce 150ft back at 2mph so we figure right up on top.

There were more people at LP on Sunday by 1pm than I have ever seen in my pretty long life. People waiting out on the main road at Spring Shores to put in because all of the parking spaces were full. They were even double parking rigs and had a crew of kids managing the parking lot like at the fair. One lane road throughout the parking lot and you couldn't even stop to put your boat away properly before another guy would pull up on you. On our way out we counted almost another 100 rigs with boats and trailers heading up. There were boats cris-crossing in every direction with the lake beaten into a froth and it's just shear madness!!!! Broke the cardinal rule of LP on the weekend. BE GONE BY 10am or ELSE.

They need a giant sign on the highway. $hitter is full Clark...GO BACK HOME!

[mowrus]

Fished on Sunday and while it was a beautiful day the fishing at LP is brutally slow. We boated only one nice almost 18" football and lost another that was it's twin right at the net. Then only about 5 pop off's with no fish and that was it. Slowest fishing at LP in history for my boat. Did see another boat catch a decent fish on a rainbow colored dodger and orange looking squid. We used our standard orange spinner flasher combo. Tried all depths from 6ft to 45ft. Most of our bites were at the 28ft that seems to be a popular depth for us both Anderson and LP. One fish we didn't land was on 1/2 ounce 150ft back at 2mph so we figure right up on top.

There were more people at LP on Sunday by 1pm than I have ever seen in my pretty long life. People waiting out on the main road at Spring Shores to put in because all of the parking spaces were full. They were even double parking rigs and had a crew of kids managing the parking lot like at the fair. One lane road throughout the parking lot and you couldn't even stop to put your boat away properly before another guy would pull up on you. On our way out we counted almost another 100 rigs with boats and trailers heading up. There were boats cris-crossing in every direction with the lake beaten into a froth and it's just shear madness!!!! Broke the cardinal rule of LP on the weekend. BE GONE BY 10am or ELSE.

They need a giant sign on the highway. $hitter is full Clark...GO BACK HOME!

We were up there Sunday and your right.. By noon I thought that I was on the Ocean🤯🤯. Zoo it was.. It was a record for us.. We got one bump and that was it. Disappointing is a understatement ,was nice morning to be on the water😎😎

[fish4kok]

Solo fished at LP from 9:00 ~ 2:00PM. Took home 6 fatty Kok. 2-18.5", 2 -~18", 1 17", 1-16". Released 4 little Kok and 1 rainbow.
It was windy so I troll from Pipeline Gulch to Charcoal Creek. 1st hour was nothing from 10' to 20', then from 10:00AM caught my 1st fish at 20' with DR then more action with the little new planers, by 11:00Am I boated 3 fatty Kok. Then I troll from Charcoal to Gooseneck Bay and I caught other 3.

Kokabow dodger + pink squid + shoepeg corn with herring scent. DR from 20 to 28 with about 30' line out. 1.5 MPH

Reservoir wasn't busy. The area that I fish was only me there. Saw few other boats by Goose Neck Bay.

Good day, good fishing.

[dwood]

Fished LP from 8 -3 yesterday, no Kokes, but two rainbows. Fought the wind early morning and wake through the afternoon. Tried pink hoochies and some mack spinners, long line at 30ft down.

[nepetbutler]

the kokes were biting good till the wind came up, most bites were on pink flutter hoochie. The scent was pro cure kokaknee magic

[fish4kok]

Fished today in LP from 8:00Am ~ Noon. Released 2 good size rainbow, lost 2 Kok close to the boat. fishing was very slow...Talk to other couple, they said they didn't get any hit....
Trolling with same setup and depth that I posted on 6-26-18 above.

[hooknhunter]

2 good size rainbow


I very much appreciate the report. Would you mind explaining what that^ means?

[fish4kok]

I very much appreciate the report. Would you mind explaining what that^ means?

Hi hooknhunter,
The rainbow trout is good eating fish, but we (wife and I) are prefer the Kokanee. If the rainbow trout get a chance to survive then I'll release them. The trout I released today about 14 ~ `15".

[hooknhunter]

Thanks. thumbsup

[JTM]

Going to hit it tomorrow morning and see what’s up.

[kodiak1]

Fished LP yesterday morning. LPO=1 us=0. Just maybe the toughest day up there in the 50 years I've fished it. Caught one dink trout at 20', two drive-bys at 45 and 50'. That was it. Never saw a net. Fished the narrows, and Goose Neck. It'll take some really good posts to lure me back there!!! Mike

[mowrus]

Fished LP yesterday morning. LPO=1 us=0. Just maybe the toughest day up there in the 50 years I've fished it. Caught one dink trout at 20', two drive-bys at 45 and 50'. That was it. Never saw a net. Fished the narrows, and Goose Neck. It'll take some really good posts to lure me back there!!! Mike

I'm with ya Mike. Definitely shucks...

[conservationist]

Fished LP this morning from 8 to about Noon. Hooked one "dink" koke that was lost at the boat when it wrapped the line around the downrigger line and one very nice trout. Fished from Spring shores, all the way thru the narrows and down to Gooseneck. Both fish were hooked down around Gooseneck. Very disappointing. Did not mark hardly any fish on the finder. Gotta question going back.

[Scottsquatch]

Fished last night after work for about 3 hours. Ended up with 5 in the boat. All around 12-13 in. Fished by the dam at around 25 feet deep.

[nepetbutler]

Birch creek koke on pink kokabow. 1.7 mph down 24'.all bites at 9am.

[fish4kok]

My wife and I fished LP yesterday from 8 AM to noon and...not a bite. Not long ago, I remembered that G3longliner said that's DLP (Dead Lucky Peak). That was really is for us yesterday. There was 2 boats fishing at Charcoal creek that include mine. Later I ran up close to Spring Shore Marine and trolled back to Gooseneck Bay. Nada...There were about 4 boats fished in the area and there was none net out. Talked to one couple they caught 2 small trout. May be we'll plan the other trip to Anderson.

[G3 longliner]

My wife and I fished LP yesterday from 8 AM to noon and...not a bite. Not long ago, I remembered that G3longliner said that's DLP (Dead Lucky Peak). That was really is for us yesterday. There was 2 boats fishing at Charcoal creek that include mine. Later I ran up close to Spring Shore Marine and trolled back to Gooseneck Bay. Nada...There were about 4 boats fished in the area and there was none net out. Talked to one couple they caught 2 small trout. May be we'll plan the other trip to Anderson.

what worries me is that you should be catching some small, next year fish - may be another bad one next year - the F & G bio guy I talked to at Anderson in June didnt have a answer - patent " a number of issues '" what ever that means ? I do know that they have to plant a lot due to small spawn numbers unlike Anderson which is all natural Hope to get to Anderson mid next week before they get to spawny Last few i caught where hardly getting blush so maybe a couple more trips

[nepetbutler]

what worries me is that you should be catching some small, next year fish - may be another bad one next year - the F & G bio guy I talked to at Anderson in June didnt have a answer - patent " a number of issues '" what ever that means ? I do know that they have to plant a lot due to small spawn numbers unlike Anderson which is all natural Hope to get to Anderson mid next week before they get to spawny Last few i caught where hardly getting blush so maybe a couple more trips

Hooked 4 small koke. Finally landed a fatty at the beginning of gooseneck bay. All on Pink kokabow

[fish4kok]

what worries me is that you should be catching some small, next year fish - may be another bad one next year - the F & G bio guy I talked to at Anderson in June didnt have a answer - patent " a number of issues '" what ever that means ? I do know that they have to plant a lot due to small spawn numbers unlike Anderson which is all natural Hope to get to Anderson mid next week before they get to spawny Last few i caught where hardly getting blush so maybe a couple more trips

I fished in LP couple times in June and caught few Kok, by the end of June I got my Kok. limit. I hope there will be some good fishing in Fall. Arrowrock reservoir is only 45% full and Anderson reservoir is 79% full. After Labor Day LP water level will be down 1'/day too. Time is going fast...

[F-Bomb]

I'm reasonably sure the standard reported stocking program for LP kokanee in 2016 and 2017 didn't actually ever happen. There are posted stocking numbers but the fish counts and fishing results have fallen off so radically without a notable and obvious kill it makes no sense. Someone at Idaho Fish and Feathers is not being completely forthright with the sportsmen. Those fingerlings were either stocked somewhere else or there was a significant issue with the complete volume available for stocking and they made concessions that resulted in the ruin to the LP kokanee fishery. Sadly they finally had a good thing going up there and it was generating a lot of recreation and satisfying a lot of local Treasure Valley sportsman. LP was a trophy kokanee facility in 2016. Less so last year but still pretty good and absolutely terrible for 2018. Sad!

The conspiracy theorist always thinks a F&G commissioner has a cabin at Anderson and made that call. Maybe it was simply the fact that only a certain number of fry were available and they picked Anderson and possibly threw in higher numbers to Arrowrock to rebuild that fishery after the kill off from the landslide. Regardless LP didn't get the traditional 2014-2015 numbers and that is obvious with the current population.

I'm having a weird memory of some reports of the fry getting sick or the facility failing somewhere in the recent past and killing off a bunch of the available plant stock. Possibly we are seeing the results of this issue?

[Pauli]

Well.... Something is going on. Both LP and AR have clearly fallen behind on kokanee production. I'm not the conspiracy theory kind of guy, but someone, somewhere knows what the heck is going on. If this was caused by a natural event...ie excessive water spill, high runoffs, fires or floods, warm water mortality, or declination in the zooplankton, Idaho fish and game would be would be the first to point the finger at natural events. So far.... they have pretty much been mum. Their silence is starting to make me suspicious.

Pauli

[Patience]

Just my two cents.

It's still called fishing, not catching. They're there, but we aren't good enough to catch them.

And in 2010, the world record Koke was caught in Wallowa Lake. If you look at the Wallowa Lake thread, no one has posted anything in 2018, and the big fish in 2017 was 17", with averages in the 12-14" range. So if you expect fish to be the same size or quantity every year, you should take up golf.

[Pauli]

[QUOTE=Patience;62993]Just my two cents.

It's still called fishing, not catching. They're there, but we aren't good enough to catch them.


What a moronic thing to post...... Have you any more golden words of wisdom you want to spew out on this site?

[MackayGuy]

[QUOTE=Patience;62993]Just my two cents.

It's still called fishing, not catching. They're there, but we aren't good enough to catch them.


What a moronic thing to post...... Have you any more golden words of wisdom you want to spew out on this site?

What a moronic response. The guy offers an opinion and you go cyber bully on him.

[nepetbutler]

I'm reasonably sure the standard reported stocking program for LP kokanee in 2016 and 2017 didn't actually ever happen. There are posted stocking numbers but the fish counts and fishing results have fallen off so radically without a notable and obvious kill it makes no sense. Someone at Idaho Fish and Feathers is not being completely forthright with the sportsmen. Those fingerlings were either stocked somewhere else or there was a significant issue with the complete volume available for stocking and they made concessions that resulted in the ruin to the LP kokanee fishery. Sadly they finally had a good thing going up there and it was generating a lot of recreation and satisfying a lot of local Treasure Valley sportsman. LP was a trophy kokanee facility in 2016. Less so last year but still pretty good and absolutely terrible for 2018. Sad!

The conspiracy theorist always thinks a F&G commissioner has a cabin at Anderson and made that call. Maybe it was simply the fact that only a certain number of fry were available and they picked Anderson and possibly threw in higher numbers to Arrowrock to rebuild that fishery after the kill off from the landslide. Regardless LP didn't get the traditional 2014-2015 numbers and that is obvious with the current population.

I'm having a weird memory of some reports of the fry getting sick or the facility failing somewhere in the recent past and killing off a bunch of the available plant stock. Possibly we are seeing the results of this issue?

I caught trout ,kokanee and bass on Friday. Had a blast

[Pauli]

[QUOTE=Pauli;62994]

What a moronic response. The guy offers an opinion and you go cyber bully on him.

Hmmm.... I think not. Consider his first sentence, "They're there".... Complete supposition. In fact, the evidence indicates that they're NOT there. Many like me have been Koke fishing in Lucky Peak for decades. Creel counts and dismal electronic marking are certainly not similar to past years. There is just no empirical evidence that the Kokanee population is at a healthy level, while there is plenty of evidence to think that the Kokes are in trouble. We should be concerned about the viability of the Koke population in LP.

The next point just set me off. "We're not good enough to catch them"...... Speak for yourself, not others. While you may doubt your own ability to harvest Kokanee, I'm very confident that I can catch Kokanee in under most circumstances in any given reservoir...if they are there. The poster assumes the premise that the Kokes are there....AND we (me) are just not "good enough" to catch them. What a load of crap.

If you think I was "cyber bullying" you are mistaken. I just called him out on two fictitious and ridiculous statements.

Pauli

[mowrus]

If you look at fish and game stocking for lucky peak, they state they have put in 250,000 plus 6 inch kokanee over the past 10 years. So a person would think that there would be more fish to catch. Food source not good?

[SuperD]

A few years ago CA lost a true blue ribbon Koke fishery in Lake Berryessa. There were lots of theories swirling around for some time, many of them have been mentioned here too. It turned out that the final report listed a year of drought and low water oxygen as the culprit. It has been a couple of years and the lake still hasn't recovered. Low egg takes have not helped the situation the last couple of years along with some hatchery issues that eliminated other viable plants.

[sturgeon8r]

I'm reasonably sure the standard reported stocking program for LP kokanee in 2016 and 2017 didn't actually ever happen. There are posted stocking numbers but the fish counts and fishing results have fallen off so radically without a notable and obvious kill it makes no sense. Someone at Idaho Fish and Feathers is not being completely forthright with the sportsmen. Those fingerlings were either stocked somewhere else or there was a significant issue with the complete volume available for stocking and they made concessions that resulted in the ruin to the LP kokanee fishery. Sadly they finally had a good thing going up there and it was generating a lot of recreation and satisfying a lot of local Treasure Valley sportsman. LP was a trophy kokanee facility in 2016. Less so last year but still pretty good and absolutely terrible for 2018. Sad!

The conspiracy theorist always thinks a F&G commissioner has a cabin at Anderson and made that call. Maybe it was simply the fact that only a certain number of fry were available and they picked Anderson and possibly threw in higher numbers to Arrowrock to rebuild that fishery after the kill off from the landslide. Regardless LP didn't get the traditional 2014-2015 numbers and that is obvious with the current population.

I'm having a weird memory of some reports of the fry getting sick or the facility failing somewhere in the recent past and killing off a bunch of the available plant stock. Possibly we are seeing the results of this issue?

I have to agree with this.

[F-Bomb]

Patience your reference to Wallowa to support your theory that somehow the hundreds of guys that successfully fished LP for years on kokanee but now in 2018 can't seem to remember how to catch them is a little off base. FYI, the giant kokanee of Wallowa were supported by a shrimp population as their primary food source and the OFG reported an issue with that food source population. There are a bunch of little fish but they aren't the roided out monsters of the past and it's no longer a trophy pool like in the years gone by. That situation was widely reported as a food source issue that resulted in size not fish count results.

LP is a fish count issue. It's a three year cycle resource with a huge percentage of the volume of adult take fish being from planting programs and not from the very limited natural reproduction cycle spawn of that fishery. It's fractional of Anderson in that regard.

Here's a little economics lesson for reference. If you don't put money in the bank annually but continue to take it out plus suffer from inflation, you end up with a BIG NET ZERO pretty quickly.

LP is at net zero and that means poor fishing for a couple seasons to come. We aren't seeing a mass of 8" to 10" one year juveniles being caught. The spring plant fry will be 8" to 10" right now if they were there. We used to drag in hundreds of those little buggers and now we don't see hardly any and that means they simply are not in the pool.

Yes there is still plenty of "fishing fun" to be done at LP with a healthy population of bass, trout, squawfish ect but this is a kokanee forum and that is generally what I am after at LP. We've caught and released a limit plus of trout every single time this year at LP. It used to be 20 to 1 kokes versus trout. This year it's been exactly the opposite and that is an indicator of a serious problem. FYI I caught and released well over 100 planted trout in McCall Sat and Sun but that really isn't the point of this post!thumbsup

[kodiak1]

Right on target re your comments. Just like to know the reasons for the collapse! Mike

[chukardave1]

[QUOTE=F-Bomb;63003]Patience your reference to Wallowa to support your theory that somehow the hundreds of guys that successfully fished LP for years on kokanee but now in 2018 can't seem to remember how to catch them is a little off base. FYI, the giant kokanee of Wallowa were supported by a shrimp population as their primary food source and the OFG reported an issue with that food source population. There are a bunch of little fish but they aren't the roided out monsters of the past and it's no longer a trophy pool like in the years gone by. That situation was widely reported as a food source issue that resulted in size not fish count results.

I was told and has been discussed widely that it was a landslide that took out critical spawning habitat and knocked out a couple years worth of fish production. Less fish competing for the food meant they could grow a lot bigger. Never heard anything about a mysis shrimp issue.

[kodiak1]

Actually, they think it may have been a combination of both mysis and a landslide. The landslide did reduce competition, and an ice issue in the winter caused the shrimp to change their patterns and become available to the kokes. (Mysis elude most kokes and trout because they come to the surface during the night, and drop to extreme depths during the day) Mike

[sturgeon8r]

I can agree with the landslide affecting the arrowrock fishery. Maybe all the silt that came through the system over time affected the LP fishery. But when you go from hooking fish to nothing... Tells me they did not plant fish. we should be able to catch next years smaller fish. BUT!!!!!! Nothing. I am not seeing the fish finder going off nor seeing schools of fish. when we did find a school it was perch......... up at the end of robie creek. Not hearing anyone hooking the chinooks at LP either?
Seems to me thta Fun and Games either have a major koke killing and said they planted the lake? But did not. If they did plant and they died we would have seen them floating? I know when they get flushed from Dworshak they are floating the clearwater and they say go salvage them.

Just seems very weird in the last 2 years the fishing has JUST STOPPED!.

[DEALMKR]

Keep my fingers crossed. I have a 20 Ft Marlin
Center Console beige with a black Marlin stripe. Say hello if your up there tomorrow.

DEALMKR

[DEALMKR]

I'm seeing this wind Report ? To ruff at the boat launch at Spring Shores this eve? Your thoughts?

[DEALMKR]

It's so beautiful at LP and we are so lucky to have it in our back yard...

[KokaneeJoe]

I'm seeing this wind Report ? To ruff at the boat launch at Spring Shores this eve? Your thoughts?

I would try it but I have a much smaller boat. Spring shores is usually less windy than up by the dam but here is a link to the weather station at Barclay Bay:
https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=KIDBOISE49

[DEALMKR]

I think Ill wait and do a morning fishing trip. I wont be with the Fri. night crazys 🤡...
Thanks for your reply.

[KokaneeJoe]

I think Ill wait and do a morning fishing trip. I wont be with the Fri. night crazys 🤡...
Thanks for your reply.

Agree about the crazys. We won't go on weekends. Nice to be retired.

[nepetbutler]

It was windy. Hooked up on big kokes at point across from Marina down 25' ,1.6 mph ,pink Paulina hoochie,pink kokabow. Lost them all. Going to use brand new hooks next time. They like the procured Kokanee gel pink Firecorn

[SuperD]

It was windy. Hooked up on big kokes at point across from Marina down 25' ,1.6 mph ,pink Paulina hoochie,pink kokabow. Lost them all. Going to use brand new hooks next time. They like the procured Kokanee gel pink Firecorn
Mid summer on I went to a #2 hook and one with a little wider gap for better results. I also liked the pink firecorn, they made it a lot firmer than I can get it trying to cure it myself.

[G3 longliner]

Mid summer on I went to a #2 hook and one with a little wider gap for better results. I also liked the pink firecorn, they made it a lot firmer than I can get it trying to cure it myself.

Took wife to LP today just to get on the water fished from 7:30 to 11:30 one good hit and netted one 8 in rainbow marked some nice fish but where closed mouth im ready for steelhead fishing

[DEALMKR]

Took wife to LP today just to get on the water fished from 7:30 to 11:30 one good hit and netted one 8 in rainbow marked some nice fish but where closed mouth im ready for steelhead fishing

I'm headed out Fri morning early to soak some
Gear. Love this weather

[kodiak1]

Looking forward to your report! Good luck. Mike

[fish4kok]

I drove by LP this morning and didn't see any fishing boat by the dam area. All boat docks at Sheep Creek were dry. They really drain the reservoir quick. It's 83% full so it's 17' down? I might go to LP on Friday morning to soak my gear as well.

[fish4kok]

Solo fishing in LP this morning from 9:00AM til 11:30AM. Caught 1 14" rainbow at 35' with DR and a new planner Chinook at 25' DR. Fish caught in Goose Neck Bay and both released. There wasn't any bite in Charcoal creek area. There were about 3 fishing boats in the area and I didn't see any net out. All boat docks around the reservoir are dried, 3 sections of Turner Gulch boat ramp still floating. I saw few people went hunting for fishing lure along the shore.

[Pauli]

Thanks for the report fish4kok. Looks like LP is dead.... at least for a while. It's a double bummer that Arrowrock is also in the same boat. We will see if the fall will bring a few more fish. I think Fish and Game owes us some reasonable explanation to just what the hell is going on. There is just more to it than the 3 year cycle. Something happened to this fishery.... very hard to believe that Fish and Game doesn't have an opinion this. Their silence is very interesting..... Not a word about it.

Pauli

[DEALMKR]

Thanks for the report fish4kok. Looks like LP is dead.... at least for a while. It's a double bummer that Arrowrock is also in the same boat. We will see if the fall will bring a few more fish. I think Fish and Game owes us some reasonable explanation to just what the hell is going on. There is just more to it than the 3 year cycle. Something happened to this fishery.... very hard to believe that Fish and Game doesn't have an opinion this. Their silence is very interesting..... Not a word about it.

Pauli

Trolled from Spring Shores to Arrowrock and back.
1 hit is all. I saw a spawned Kok floating. He was very red all spawned out. Not many boats or campers. It was a perfect day to be out.

[DEALMKR]

Launched at the Marina. Plenty of docks still out. No one
At the launch. A little windy. We trolled all the way
To Arrowrock found a great beach to hang out and get
My Lab out. Saw lots of fish and even a jumper at the
Base of the dam and fished their For an hour. 1 hit. Then we trolled
All the way back to the Marina and ended our day at 5:30.
Hardly any campers and boats out. You couldn't ask for a more beautiful
Day.

[nepetbutler]

Launched at the Marina. Plenty of docks still out. No one
At the launch. A little windy. We trolled all the way
To Arrowrock found a great beach to hang out and get
My Lab out. Saw lots of fish and even a jumper at the
Base of the dam and fished their For an hour. 1 hit. Then we trolled
All the way back to the Marina and ended our day at 5:30.
Hardly any campers and boats out. You couldn't ask for a more beautiful
Day.

Gonna troll lp Mon Tue by birch creek. If you smell bacon, WAVE. I will raise my flag when I get kokes in the boat.

[fish4kok]

Gonna troll lp Mon Tue by birch creek. If you smell bacon, WAVE. I will raise my flag when I get kokes in the boat.

I stopped by LP this morning at Tuner Gulch, there were couple trucks with the boat trailers in parking lot. I didn't see their boats by the dam area, they must fish further upstream, No bank fisherman . Very quiet.
Did you catch any fish in Birch Creek?

[nepetbutler]

Just bass and trout. I have no trolling motor. It's in the shop. I tried trolling with a drift sock and was all over the lake . I am so sad without my Minn Lotta terrova. Also lost a cannon ball. So I got to wait for more draw down to retrieve it.

[fish4kok]

Just bass and trout. I have no trolling motor. It's in the shop. I tried trolling with a drift sock and was all over the lake . I am so sad without my Minn Lotta terrova. Also lost a cannon ball. So I got to wait for more draw down to retrieve it.

Thank for your reply and hopefully you will retrieve your ball, that's expensive lead ball ~$35. I had couple times with the ball snagged on the bottom but luckily I retrieved it. Later I set the alarm depth 10' below the depth of the DR ball and that's help me to watch closely when depth alarm sound off.

LP is 43' down, they drain the reservoir about 2'/day. Other site report as 61% full so it's about 39' down. All the main dock at Turner Gulch dry. Portable boat dock is already set up. Link for more info. of the major storage of reservoirs and water flow. Arrowrock is only 23% full!!!

https://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/boipaytea.html

[Physion]

I fished for a few hours today and got 5 rainbows. No kokanee. I launched at Turner and fished towards Pipeline Gulch. The trout were nice fish, but not what I was looking for.

[kokaneekevin]

Despite the recent grim fishing reports, my wife and I decided to head up to LP today (Tues). First trip there since early summer. Needed a fishing fix badly. :) Got a late start; didn't start fishing until 11:30, stopping at 3. I normally launch at Spring Shores, but decided to launch at Turner since it has a dock still in the water. And I rarely fish near the dam (just never had much luck there in the past) but decided to start fishing there since it was nearby. Within minutes (like 3!) of our first pass along the dam, I had my first fish on and lo and behold, landed a Koke! Couldn't believe it. In fact, I thought it was a trout and just lifted it into the boat (without really looking at it closely) instead of netting it. Boy was I surprised to see it was a Koke and that I didn't lose it bringing it into the boat. Happy Days! So we kept running back and forth in front of the dam (maybe 100 yards out). Got 5 more hits within an hour. Two of those were those quick hits you get. Pole takes a dive but then nothing. One was a nice trout that I landed and kept. The other two I had on for several cranks of the reel before I felt them throw the hooks. So, given what I think a lot of us know, I believe these 2 hits and 2 hookups were Kokes as well. Who knows really, but that's what I think. Finally on the 6th hookup I landed another Kokanee. Had 4 more hookups in the early afternoon, landing all 4. And all 4 were trout. Kept 1 and released the other 3. So all in all, kept 2 Kokes (each 12") and 2 trout (each 13"). The wind picked up and it was getting a little squirrely keeping the boat on track so we quit at 3pm. Details: 2 poles, both using ford fenders. Started with chartreuse spinners, and then changed to orange spinners and orange hoochies. Chartreuse got the most hits. No downrigger this time, just using 2 and 3 oz lead weights. 75 to 85 clicks out fishing in the 20-25 ft depth range. Marked plenty of fish between 20 and 50 feet down. So with a little more luck, I think I could have landed a few more Kokes. Always the optimist! :) Definitely not a bad outing, especially since my expectations were pretty low to start.
Two pictures attached. First showing my catch for the day. The second pic shows the fillets after cleaning. Top two is one of the trout. Bottom two is one of the Kokes. It's always a nice surprise to find out a trout is orange/pink inside. But I was pretty surprised to actually see the trout were more pink than the Kokes. Don't think I've seen that before. Probably an age thing? Both BBQ'd up very nicely and tasted fantastic!
95319532

[Oldfishnfart]

Thank you for the report!
I put in at turner about 12:30 and saw you as you fished in front of the dam.
I did not want to fish on top of you so I stayed further out in site of the dam and ramp.
I caught 1 large male Koke who was clearly spawned out, as well as 4 trout, the trout I caught were covered in parasites. Did you experience this?

[nepetbutler]

Despite the recent grim fishing reports, my wife and I decided to head up to LP today (Tues). First trip there since early summer. Needed a fishing fix badly. :) Got a late start; didn't start fishing until 11:30, stopping at 3. I normally launch at Spring Shores, but decided to launch at Turner since it has a dock still in the water. And I rarely fish near the dam (just never had much luck there in the past) but decided to start fishing there since it was nearby. Within minutes (like 3!) of our first pass along the dam, I had my first fish on and lo and behold, landed a Koke! Couldn't believe it. In fact, I thought it was a trout and just lifted it into the boat (without really looking at it closely) instead of netting it. Boy was I surprised to see it was a Koke and that I didn't lose it bringing it into the boat. Happy Days! So we kept running back and forth in front of the dam (maybe 100 yards out). Got 5 more hits within an hour. Two of those were those quick hits you get. Pole takes a dive but then nothing. One was a nice trout that I landed and kept. The other two I had on for several cranks of the reel before I felt them throw the hooks. So, given what I think a lot of us know, I believe these 2 hits and 2 hookups were Kokes as well. Who knows really, but that's what I think. Finally on the 6th hookup I landed another Kokanee. Had 4 more hookups in the early afternoon, landing all 4. And all 4 were trout. Kept 1 and released the other 3. So all in all, kept 2 Kokes (each 12") and 2 trout (each 13"). The wind picked up and it was getting a little squirrely keeping the boat on track so we quit at 3pm. Details: 2 poles, both using ford fenders. Started with chartreuse spinners, and then changed to orange spinners and orange hoochies. Chartreuse got the most hits. No downrigger this time, just using 2 and 3 oz lead weights. 75 to 85 clicks out fishing in the 20-25 ft depth range. Marked plenty of fish between 20 and 50 feet down. So with a little more luck, I think I could have landed a few more Kokes. Always the optimist! :) Definitely not a bad outing, especially since my expectations were pretty low to start.
Two pictures attached. First showing my catch for the day. The second pic shows the fillets after cleaning. Top two is one of the trout. Bottom two is one of the Kokes. It's always a nice surprise to find out a trout is orange/pink inside. But I was pretty surprised to actually see the trout were more pink than the Kokes. Don't think I've seen that before. Probably an age thing? Both BBQ'd up very nicely and tasted fantastic!
95319532

Gonna try dam Saturday . Canyon Marine rebuilt my Minn kota. Thanks!

[kokaneekevin]

Oldfishnfart, none of the 5 trout I caught had any parasites. All looked in good shape. Next time cruise by and say Hi. thumbsup

KokaneeKevin (AKA another old fishin' fart)

[DEALMKR]

Any docks in the water at the Marina?

[nepetbutler]

Any docks in the water at the Marina?
3. The kokes are biting just past gooseneck. On the right along with some big trout. Down 25'. They were on and gone.pink kokasquid. Gonna add a stinger hook on Monday.

[DEALMKR]

At the dam?

Thanks

[Trailbob]

My wife and I fished the Gooseneck Bay on Th. Tried DRs at 20 and 25', and pop gear for trout. No kokes and nothing on the DRs, but four trout on the pop gear at around 5 to 7' (1 to 1.5 colors).

Sat, took my son and grandson out to the same area. Just targeted trout with pop gear and trolling fly; 1 to 1.5 colors. 5 trout and one 12 to 13" koke. The got very busy in the afternoon with jet skis, etc.

There is one dock in at the dam, but only one side has the sand removed. Very busy when we pulled out.

[Physion]

I fished between Charcoal Gulch and Gooseneck for most of today. After the wind calmed down, I got one rainbow between 20 and 25 feet deep. I noticed some "boils" on the surface so then I tried trolling shallow. I got one more rainbow and two kokanee. All shallow and fairly close to shore. When I cleaned the kokanee I discovered their meat was much lighter than normal. Not white, but certainly not the rich orange color I usually see in kokanee. When cooked, they look more like trout than kokanee. The fish were bright with all their scales, so they hadn't tried to spawn this year. I am pretty sure they weren't chinook. Very few spots on the back and tail and the gums weren't black.

Thoughts? I have never seen this in kokanee.

[hooknhunter]

I have no thoughts on this that make any sense. I do not doubt what you are saying, but it all does not make sense based on my experiences and my understanding of Kokanee. I admit I have not fished for them for a long time. Maybe 4 to 5 years now is all.

[fish4kok]

I fished between Charcoal Gulch and Gooseneck for most of today. After the wind calmed down, I got one rainbow between 20 and 25 feet deep. I noticed some "boils" on the surface so then I tried trolling shallow. I got one more rainbow and two kokanee. All shallow and fairly close to shore. When I cleaned the kokanee I discovered their meat was much lighter than normal. Not white, but certainly not the rich orange color I usually see in kokanee. When cooked, they look more like trout than kokanee. The fish were bright with all their scales, so they hadn't tried to spawn this year. I am pretty sure they weren't chinook. Very few spots on the back and tail and the gums weren't black.

Thoughts? I have never seen this in kokanee.

Below is the pics. of the Kokanee meat color that compare to the trout at LP posted by Kokaneekevin on Sept.18-2018. Sometime I caught those fish in LP and AR too. The meat color of the Kok. somehow very light. Click the attachment (9532) on the right for enlargement.


Despite the recent grim fishing reports, my wife and I decided to head up to LP today (Tues). First trip there since early summer. Needed a fishing fix badly. :) Got a late start; didn't start fishing until 11:30, stopping at 3. I normally launch at Spring Shores, but decided to launch at Turner since it has a dock still in the water. And I rarely fish near the dam (just never had much luck there in the past) but decided to start fishing there since it was nearby. Within minutes (like 3!) of our first pass along the dam, I had my first fish on and lo and behold, landed a Koke! Couldn't believe it. In fact, I thought it was a trout and just lifted it into the boat (without really looking at it closely) instead of netting it. Boy was I surprised to see it was a Koke and that I didn't lose it bringing it into the boat. Happy Days! So we kept running back and forth in front of the dam (maybe 100 yards out). Got 5 more hits within an hour. Two of those were those quick hits you get. Pole takes a dive but then nothing. One was a nice trout that I landed and kept. The other two I had on for several cranks of the reel before I felt them throw the hooks. So, given what I think a lot of us know, I believe these 2 hits and 2 hookups were Kokes as well. Who knows really, but that's what I think. Finally on the 6th hookup I landed another Kokanee. Had 4 more hookups in the early afternoon, landing all 4. And all 4 were trout. Kept 1 and released the other 3. So all in all, kept 2 Kokes (each 12") and 2 trout (each 13"). The wind picked up and it was getting a little squirrely keeping the boat on track so we quit at 3pm. Details: 2 poles, both using ford fenders. Started with chartreuse spinners, and then changed to orange spinners and orange hoochies. Chartreuse got the most hits. No downrigger this time, just using 2 and 3 oz lead weights. 75 to 85 clicks out fishing in the 20-25 ft depth range. Marked plenty of fish between 20 and 50 feet down. So with a little more luck, I think I could have landed a few more Kokes. Always the optimist! :) Definitely not a bad outing, especially since my expectations were pretty low to start.


Two pictures attached. First showing my catch for the day. The second pic shows the fillets after cleaning. Top two is one of the trout. Bottom two is one of the Kokes. It's always a nice surprise to find out a trout is orange/pink inside. But I was pretty surprised to actually see the trout were more pink than the Kokes. Don't think I've seen that before. Probably an age thing? Both BBQ'd up very nicely and tasted fantastic!
9531 9532

[hooknhunter]

Below is the pics. of the Kokanee meat color that compare to the trout at LP posted by Kokaneekevin on Sept.18-2018. Sometime I caught those fish in LP and AR too. The meat color of the Kok. somehow very light. Click the attachment (9532) on the right for enlargement.

That's just so weird. Are the Kokes sick?

[JTM]

That's just so weird. Are the Kokes sick?
Here is the answer.

https://idfg.idaho.gov/blog/2018/10/anglers-southern-idaho-concerned-about-lighter-colored-kokanee-meat

[Physion]

Thank you for your research and your update.

Both my wife and I thought the lighter color meat did taste a little milder, but that may vary depending on who is making the comparison.

Again, Thank you for the info.

Physion

[Pauli]

Thanks for the info JTM.

The article leads one to conclude that the health of the Koke population in Lucky Peak and Arrowrock is contingent on the success of the Koke population in Deadwood. I know little about the fishing opportunities at Deadwood, but one must also assume that the Koke population in Deadwood is also in decline.... I don't know.

While the article didn't really state if the fry from CDL backfilled the entire need for Lucky Peak and Arrowrock, or if it was just a percentage of fry to fill the shortfall, one may have to conclude that the CDL transplants may not be suitable for the conditions here in SW Idaho. Sure, some may have survived but it seems that with such a dramatic downturn of Koke harvesting in our local reservoirs, the real answer is to somehow get the Deadwood population back to a healthy level. I will, however, be happy to fish for CDL Kokanee in Lucky Peak or Arrowrock in the mean time. Beats fishing for pike minnows.

Pauli

[fish4kok]

Here is the answer.

https://idfg.idaho.gov/blog/2018/10/anglers-southern-idaho-concerned-about-lighter-colored-kokanee-meat

Thanks JTM for the info. That's great to know about lighter colored kokanee meat.

[kodiak1]

Fished LP today, and the action was fast. Several doubles, and strikes about every 5-10 minutes. All trout. The gear dropped on dr's for kokes did not produce. Longlining rapalas was the trick. The girl we took with us caught an honest 18"er. Most were 10-14. Mike

[terek]

Any info on the location, and color :) I took a few of my employees on a riggins trip and we got skunked. I'd like to get them on some fish. They dont fish much and were bummed .

[kodiak1]

Sure. Smaller Rapalas, both colors we used worked. blue and perch, and no weights. Let out plenty of line. We did best in the narrows. They ignored everything on the downriggers. Fished 10-20 feet, with worms, or kokanee gear with corn....nothing. Mike

[Pauli]

Thinking about getting the boat out of storage and getting it ready for Springer season on the Columbia. Be nice to hit Lucky Peak a few times before hitting the big river. Anyone been out on the reservoir lately? Would be nice to get a few Kokes for the freezer.

Pauli