2013 Dworshak Fishing Thread

[fishslayer13]

Remember that your "surface temp"---- 50 to 52 thats perfect for kokes. Thats why the report of the catching on top with no weight. When the water temp is that at 18 to 28 feet down then game on.
The trawl survey is missleading at best. The water temp down closer to the dam is colder right now. So a lot of the kokes are showing on the fish finder at a 100 feet down and further. To low to be trawled up.
Magnus bay being, not near as deep is warmer, so makes total scince to me that they would catch more there right now .

All the fish do not travel the whole length of the lake to spawn, some people think they only spawn in the rivers coming in. Probably most do, but
ANY large creek they can navigate they will spawn in if they came from there to begin with. It will turn on pretty soon. When I go down there this time of year I run an agitater on the surface with no weight, trolled very slow and 100 ft plus behind the boat, with a 4 foot leader to a spinner with red on top and green on bottom of the blade.

 

[fishingmom]

Thanks fishslayer13 for a different look at it, makes sense....

 

[fishingmom]

Fished Saturday evening a few hours in the wind, 1 nice rainbow aT the edge of Indian canyon,,,started 6am Sunday in Freeman creek and worked my way across and down to canyon crk, 1 hit with line near surface, fished all over and hit my usual favorite spots ran different weights lures bait etc got 2 other bites, others had about the same and saw no action anywhere - some friends fri night in canyon crk got 3 running 2 oz and 45' out but 0 yesterday...boats were coming fishing a bit and leaving...surface was 52-53 - saw 1 fish rise the entire time, but it was very windy Saturday and off and on yesterday morning. Any other reports?

 

[jumperzee]

About the same for us yesterday (Sun). Did a bunch of laps in Canyon, then Indian. Lost one in Canyon and that was it for the day. Very few boats around compared to the previous weekend. Is everyone up higher?

 

[amxerhull]

Yesterday we found some fish at Canyon Creek. Surface water temp was 63, 10 degrees warmer than our last trip. Fish were at 10-20 feet. We caught them on downriggers, leaded line, and long line, it didn't seem to matter. Same is true of lures, no single lure was better than the others. The biggest were 12 inches but most were 10 inches. We only landed 10, but lost another 15 or more.

We also got to listen to the Mariners pummel the hated Yankees. Rauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuul!

 

[kenbarb]

We finally made it to Dworshak, pulled into the Dworshak State Park at 6:30, it's a beautiful morning with the smell of pine trees in the air. Had to get the downriggers and fishing gear ready prior to boat launch, took a little longer than expected, but we eventually launched the boat and started fishing at 7:30, sun is shining, but it's chilly enough for a jacket, water surface temp. is 62F, slight breeze, looks great for Kokanee fishing.

We make a large loop in front of the park, marking a lot of fish, and checking water depth. Start fishing two rods off the downriggers, set one at thirty feet, the other at forty feet, using Sling Blades and Kokabow Lures, all attached to new braided Spectra 150# downrigger line, how could you miss with rigging like this? Well we make one loop marking fish, but no hits, change lures and depths several times, still no hits. In the distance across the lake in the Canyon Creek area we can barley see a couple of boats, so we pick up and head over there.

We go a little downlake from Canyon Creek and put the lines down, same results that we had at the park, it's around 9:30am, and not even a tap. Time to go back to basics, so I rig a rod with a set of Les Davis silver spinners that must be forty years old, and a wedding ring, fake maggot on the upper hook, red corn on the trailer, using a little weight Barb puts out sixty feet of line, then parks the rod in the holder. In about five minutes the rod tip starts to bounce, Barb reels in the first Kokanee, we give each other a high five, at least we aren't going to get skunked, thats a relief, but we need one more to make a meal.

We decide to quit using the downriggers, rig all the rods the same, and hope for better results, while doing the rigging Barb caught another one. We finally have the right combination, it is non stop Kokanee fishing, don't think a ten minute period went by without getting action on one of the rods, either just a hit, losing it at the boat, or landing it, did not have any triples, but did get several doubles, did not seem to matter where we fished to catch them, there were lots of them everywhere, and they were shallow.

When we had twenty kakonne on ice, all around ten to eleven inches, we decided to call it quits for the day. Looking for a place to pull in and have lunch, and a break for our little English Setter "Happy", we found the Canyon Creek Campground. This is a great place to stop for a break if you are in the area, has a nice clean restroom, a couple of spots with park benches overlooking the lake that are good for having lunch. One is well shaded, there are several other shaded ones that are back in the timber.

What started out as a very slow day, ended up being a pretty productive one, but I've got to tell you, it would have been great without a single fish, Dworshak is such a delightful place to visit, and the Kokanee make it extra special. We grilled four Kokanee for dinner yesterday, the bright red meat was absolutely delicious, here's the way I fixed them if you want to try it: Skin the fish, coat each fish with butter, sprinkle with seasoning powder of your choice, place in foil pan made from foil wrap, prior to putting fish in the pan spray bottom of the pan with Pam. Broiler should be preheated to high, place fish in broiler, turn heat to medium, cook for eight (8) minutes. you will never eat better fish.

Hope to see you on the lake, Ken & Barb

 

[fishslayer13]

K& B glad you guys had a good time! Sounds like if you were down lake from canyon, you were in Indian creek. Thats my go to spot early in the year like this.
Sling blades rarely work well in Dworshak, the water is to dirty. The more flash the better. Agitators work too, but most people dont have them on their boats. I use a sling blade above Grandad late when the water up there is clearer and the fish stacked up. I use a 2 blade troll most of the time.
I have been tied up working and havent put a line in the water this year. I have friends that call and rub it in my face about them catching fish and Im not there. LOL.
You are right Dworshak is worth the time, just to be there ! Made me hungry when I read your cooking fresh Kokes.
Maybe we will see you down there some time.

Tangle free lines !

 

[kenbarb]

Thanks for the good information fishslayer13, now I know why we didn't get a hit the first couple of hours, it all makes sense. Hope your work schedule will let you make the trip over there soon.

 

[fishslayer13]

Yeah, it takes me less than 30 minutes to have the boat in the water at Dworshak and I cant seem to get loose to do some fishhing. Ahh but the best is yet to come !!

 

[kenbarb]

fishslayer13, Looks like you know Dworshak pretty good, maybe you can answer a couple of questions I have been wondering about. How long do you think fishing will be good in the upper end of the lake, in the Freeman Creek, Canyon Creek and Indian Creek areas, when do you think the fishing will be good in the Elk Creek, and Dent Bridge area (maybe it is now)? When you said the best is yet to come, when would that be.

You are lucky to be only thirty minutes away, we live on Ackerman Bar on the Snake River, and it is about a two hour trip for us, but it it is a pretty drive taking the Kendrick route.

 

[fishslayer13]

I only fish lower by indian and canyon tell about june 1. I dont fish Canyon much because there are always to many boats there, and anything you can do in canyon you can do as well or better in Indian creek or across from Freeman creek in the flat. You have to fish it just right with the the ridge that comes into the lake. But they are there.
I do fish the Dent side of the mouth of elk creek until about then also. I troll in about 400 yards , then turn and come back out. They lay on that side more than the other side. Put 100 to 120 foot of water under your boat and you will find some fish.
After June 1 I fish above Dent bridge. I like to fish the bank on the oppisite side from cranberry creek. If they are catching fish under Dent bridge you will more than likley catch more across fron Cranberry.
Hottest fishing I have is the 3rd week in june and I fish above reeds creek and magnus. I have a spot up there that holds tons of kokes and NO one ever fishes there. Everyone going by in boats looks at you like your nuts, but its good. We fished it 2 times last year with 3 of us in the boat and put a 75 fish limit in the boat both times with the first time taking about 4 hours and the second just under 3 hours.
I then just chase the fish up the lake as they go. I will go to grandad after 4th of July, it gets real good into 1st part of Aug. You can catch Kokes at any time about any where in the lake, but these time lines and places hold true for producing lots of fish year after year. It may swing a week either way or more for when they are good, but always works. Im not one to sit around and wait much . If I dont start catching fish real fast I pull up and try some place else. Im going to get out in the next week or so and I will start above Dent. Fishing is always good around reeds, swamp and magnus until about mid july. By good I mean you should be able to put 30 or so fish in the boat by noon or so. Hope this helps, if not your welcome to come on our boat or follow when we are there. We have a 21 ft thunderjet Off shore with 150 yamha out board on it. Its blue with a half hard top and a black fish design on the hard top. If you see us come on over and say hi !

 

[jumperzee]

WOW, fishslayer13, thanks a bunch for the info. My buddy and I haven't got on yet this year (after about 6 trips)...obviously we're in the wrong spots cause we're using the right gear (same as everyone else). We've tried Canyon a bunch to no luck except for a real nice rainbow last weekend. Finally we got frustrated and went after bass and at least got some action. We're Kokanee novices but have digested this site thoroughly and have fished all lures, all depths with good electronics and still getting skunked. We'll take you up on the invite to shadow you. Headed out in the AM for a quick trip unless it's pouring....

 

[kenbarb]

Thanks for all the helpful information fishslayer13, we will be looking for your boat when we are out there. Our boat is a 21' Northwest Jet, white with maroon top, raised rear deck, "The Kingfisher" is written below the side windows. We are going to have house guest for the next ten days, so our fishing will be curtailed, but will be checking the Kokanee Forum to see what we are missing.

jumperzee, good luck on your upcoming trip, will be looking forward to your comments.

 

[fishslayer13]

Jumperzee, man thats a lot of fishing with no fish. On another page on this post I put my go to gear in a pic, are you using same type gear ? Hope you did good if you went today. If I can help you out some I sure will. Kenbarb , guests are only supposed to show when theres no fishing going on LOL ! But on a good note it should be better fishing by then. Will look out for you guys. Do you guys have vhf radios in your boats ? If so just give a couple shouts out to Fishslayer on channel 69 and if Im down there I will hook up with some of you guys.
Tangle free line

 

[jumperzee]

Yeah, F13, we were pretty much using the same gear as what you posted and we we finally connected yesterday. Found a bunch on the downlake side of Indian Creek. Had pretty consistent action over the 3-4 hours we fished and boated 8 and lost at least another 8 or so right at the boat. All of them were real nice fatties - about 12" or so. Now we just need to work on our landing technique!!! We finally stopped using the net and just started hauling them in bassmaster style which seemed to work better, although I doubt it's the preffered technique. Got most of the fish on the downrigger at about 15 feet with a small set of silver flashers. Tried long lining flashers with and without weight and had moderate action on those. Speed seemed to be the trick for us...whenever we sped up, did a fast turn or started reeling in a line we seemed to pick one up. Color didn't seem to matter as much as depth yesterday. Headed back to give it another try today but we'll have a boatload of kids so it may be more of a bass day!

 

[kenbarb]

As a matter of fact we do have a vhf, will try to contact you next time out. Thanks again for all the good information, you are very generous.

jumperzee, I am so glad you finally connected, would liked to have been there when you pulled the first one in. I think God made Kokanee for boat loads of kids, some of my best fishing memories are fishing for Kokanee with our kids, I'll bet yours will be too. Good luck out there.

 

[3RivrFishr]

Heading to Dworshak 6/12 with my daughter for an overnighter. Figured we'd start around Magnus. If you see a green Custom Weld with KFF stickers, a 12 year old girl and a busy dad say Hi!

 

[3RivrFishr]

Extreme temperatures force water managers to start Dworshak releases a bit early. There will still be plenty of water for the holiday week. Please anticipate the lake level lowering overnight and adjust your boat accordingly so as to avoid being beached in hth morning.--copied from the COE facebook page.

 

[kenbarb]

Thanks for the heads up 3RivrFishr, will be heading to Dworshak Park Monday for three or four days. We were there about a week ago and the fishing was outstanding, had to keep adjusting for depth, and changing the offering to keep the bite going. Beautiful Kokanee, and nice size. View attachment 6475

 

[kenbarb]

Camped at beautiful Freeman Creek Campground, pulled in late on Monday the 8th, and left Wed. afternoon. We had planned on staying until Friday, but we caught a lot of Kokanee too soon, and were afraid they might get soft if we stayed that long, had them iced down in the cooler, but it was really hot, the back deck of the boat was too hot to walk on without shoes. had to open the cooler every time we caught a Kokanee, so they were exposed to some of the heat, anyway better to be safe than sorry.

Fished from the Freeman Creek Launch to the start of Elk Creek, caught fish constantly, but the hot bite was very early in the morning, found fish pretty much everywhere, when it would get spotty we would change location. Was wondering how the bite was at Canyon Creek so made a trip to check it out, saw hardly any fish on the fishfinder, there were three boats near us, we didn't see any nets out, fished for about twenty minutes, then headed for another spot about half way to Elk Creek, and had a Kokanee before the second line was out.

Had dyed four colors of Shoepeg corn, and marinated in various scents, used Kokabow, Wedding rings, Squid, Needlefish and several other terminal lures, when one was hot we changed all lines to that lure, if it got a little slow we would try something else.

Mornings are very nice and cool, but it starts heating up about 10:00am, and by noon it is starting to get uncomfortable, and at 3:00pm it is really hot, so be prepared. At one point we pulled into a secluded cove and took a dip, the surface water temp. was almost70*, like bath water, that was a good temporary fix.

The Kokanee are really nice size, ten to thirteen inches and very chunky, really nice fish, we were releasing the smaller ones, but we actually didn't catch all that many small fish. Can hardly wait to get back, so nice to have such a beautiful place in our back yard.