Letsgo, how deep were you fishing this weekend?
2017 Dworshak Reservoir Kokanee Fishing Report
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Letsgo, how deep were you fishing this weekend?
Bruces Eddy
Fished around Bruces Eddy today for about 5 hours and caught 19 really nice sized fish, many around a foot long. I was using 1 oz of lead and out around 70-80 ft. Different than last time I went out, I lost maybe around 6 or 7 fish and last time I lost at least half of the fish I hooked. I think they short strike sometimes when they aren't very aggressive and it results in a loss. Today they really smacked the spinner and I lost very few. I am new to this and have been told the kokanee will start moving towards the spawning grounds and I won't catch them where I was today. When will that start happening?
Fished around Bruces Eddy today for about 5 hours and caught 19 really nice sized fish, many around a foot long. I was using 1 oz of lead and out around 70-80 ft. Different than last time I went out, I lost maybe around 6 or 7 fish and last time I lost at least half of the fish I hooked. I think they short strike sometimes when they aren't very aggressive and it results in a loss. Today they really smacked the spinner and I lost very few. I am new to this and have been told the kokanee will start moving towards the spawning grounds and I won't catch them where I was today. When will that start happening?
Trailbob
Active member
Couple of questions for first time visit
Hello-
My wife and I are heading up to Dworshak on Monday, it will be our first time there. We are camping at the state park, and will be bringing a truck camper and an 18' boat. I had a few questions that I was hoping someone could help with:
-Is Hanks Grade the best route out of Lenore to get to the state park? I don't mind gravel, as long as it isn't too rough.
-Is there mooring at Dworshak State Park, or do we have to take the boat out daily?
-Does anyone have a link to an on-line map of the lake (creeks, etc)? I looked, but didn't have much luck.
The kokanee fishing has been pretty slow down here near Boise, so were looking forward to trying something new. Thanks in advance for any help!
-Bob
Hello-
My wife and I are heading up to Dworshak on Monday, it will be our first time there. We are camping at the state park, and will be bringing a truck camper and an 18' boat. I had a few questions that I was hoping someone could help with:
-Is Hanks Grade the best route out of Lenore to get to the state park? I don't mind gravel, as long as it isn't too rough.
-Is there mooring at Dworshak State Park, or do we have to take the boat out daily?
-Does anyone have a link to an on-line map of the lake (creeks, etc)? I looked, but didn't have much luck.
The kokanee fishing has been pretty slow down here near Boise, so were looking forward to trying something new. Thanks in advance for any help!
-Bob
kokaneecowboy
Member
Maps and sugestions
Trailbob,
http://redirect.viglink.com/?format...nee Fishing Report - Page 2&txt=Dworshak maps
If the above link does not work look on page two of this thread about halfway down there is a link to a couple of maps of Dworshak reservoir.
I can't speak to Hank's Grade as I'm unfamilar with it. When you say the "state park" do you mean Freeman Creek? If thats the case I would go up Hwy 3 from Hwy 12 through Kendrick. Turn just after Kendrick onto Cedar Ridge Rd then on to Southwick Rd which turns into the Cavendish Hwy then left onto Freman Crk Rd and it will take you straight to Freeman Creek State Park. Warning the road although paved is pretty steep and twisty dropping into Freeman Creek. Just go slow and downshift and you should not have any issues. Also I know these directions seem complicated but there are signs to direct you.
As far as mooring there is a dock that you should be able to tie up to that is close to the campground. If not there should be plenty of room to just beach your boat and tie off to a tree.
Nice choice in boats, I have a green Hewescraft Sportman 180 as well. I might be there this Monday afternoon as well with my sons trying to catch a few kokanee and bass.
Good Luck and hope this helps.
Mike
Trailbob,
http://redirect.viglink.com/?format...nee Fishing Report - Page 2&txt=Dworshak maps
If the above link does not work look on page two of this thread about halfway down there is a link to a couple of maps of Dworshak reservoir.
I can't speak to Hank's Grade as I'm unfamilar with it. When you say the "state park" do you mean Freeman Creek? If thats the case I would go up Hwy 3 from Hwy 12 through Kendrick. Turn just after Kendrick onto Cedar Ridge Rd then on to Southwick Rd which turns into the Cavendish Hwy then left onto Freman Crk Rd and it will take you straight to Freeman Creek State Park. Warning the road although paved is pretty steep and twisty dropping into Freeman Creek. Just go slow and downshift and you should not have any issues. Also I know these directions seem complicated but there are signs to direct you.
As far as mooring there is a dock that you should be able to tie up to that is close to the campground. If not there should be plenty of room to just beach your boat and tie off to a tree.
Nice choice in boats, I have a green Hewescraft Sportman 180 as well. I might be there this Monday afternoon as well with my sons trying to catch a few kokanee and bass.
Good Luck and hope this helps.
Mike
You do not want to take Hanks Grade. Wash boards and rough. The very best way to get to the state park is out of Orofino. There are docks you can moor at, they are to the north of the launch. 2 docks. shouldn't be too far from the camping spots. http://www.nww.usace.army.mil/Portals/28/docs/recreation/Dworshak/2016 Reservoir Map Bl.pdf
Trailbob
Active member
Kokaneecowboy and Microfish, thanks so much for your reply. We should be camping at Freeman Creek starting Monday. We'll be in a brown Chevy 4 door PU with a pop-up camper in case you're in the area.
Thanks again- Bob
Thanks again- Bob
Fishing report
Letsgo,
I fished with some friends around Dent the last two days and we didnt do very well. 4 rods out one afternoon and fished for 3 or 4 hours and only caught 10. The next day we fished about 2 and a half hours and caught 2 trout and no kokes. I am going to try Bruces Eddy one more time and see if there are any still there.
Letsgo,
I fished with some friends around Dent the last two days and we didnt do very well. 4 rods out one afternoon and fished for 3 or 4 hours and only caught 10. The next day we fished about 2 and a half hours and caught 2 trout and no kokes. I am going to try Bruces Eddy one more time and see if there are any still there.
Trailbob
Active member
My wife and I camped at Freeman Creek, and fished the mornings of June 20, 21 and 22. On the 20th we fished near Canyon Creek and caught 12, on the 21st we fished the same area and caught 18. On the 22nd we went about 3/4 of the way up to Elk Creek, but it was very slow and we only got one. We then moved to across from the Freeman Creek Campground and trolled to Canyon Creek. It was slow for us as we only got three more.
We used misc dodgers and hoochies (green, and pink), tipped with corn. Scent didn't seem to matter on the corn. The best dodger was silver and dark blue, but we also caught them on chartreuse, and watermelon. We fished from 10 to 25' deep. Two rods had lead core line, and the other two were on downriggers. Most of the fish were 10-12".
We really enjoyed our stay. It was a great place to camp and fish, and we look forward to going back next year. It was a pleasure meeting Kokaneecowboy and Icelander.
We used misc dodgers and hoochies (green, and pink), tipped with corn. Scent didn't seem to matter on the corn. The best dodger was silver and dark blue, but we also caught them on chartreuse, and watermelon. We fished from 10 to 25' deep. Two rods had lead core line, and the other two were on downriggers. Most of the fish were 10-12".
We really enjoyed our stay. It was a great place to camp and fish, and we look forward to going back next year. It was a pleasure meeting Kokaneecowboy and Icelander.
TrailBob/Elkchaser
Yesterday (6-25-17) arrived Merry's Bay approx. 0630; was going to fish at Merry's Bay but lots of trash so motored up to Canyon Creek.
Fished approx. 4 1/2 hrs; caught my limit kokanee; all real nice fish; most were 10 inch with a few approx. 12 in. all nice and fat.
Yesterday (6-25-17) arrived Merry's Bay approx. 0630; was going to fish at Merry's Bay but lots of trash so motored up to Canyon Creek.
Fished approx. 4 1/2 hrs; caught my limit kokanee; all real nice fish; most were 10 inch with a few approx. 12 in. all nice and fat.
ricks
Well-known member
My wife and I went sunday the 25th as well. Didn't put in at Bruce's until nearly 8 AM. (lazy bastid, I am) Wife and I motored up to Indian because of all the crap in the water. They opened the gates again since the lake is near full and too much snow still. Quite a bit of current, which will change fish behaviors usually, but not this time, other than all the crap floating between Eddy's and Merrys Bay, the fish seemed to act same as last week before they opened it up.
I only had a couple hours to fish, the wife's back is so bad, I'm just glad to be able to get her out on the water for a bit. We started catching fish soon as we got lines in the water. BIG ones, several right up at 14 inch. Big for Dworshak anyway. Never really marked more than the odd fish here and there on the finder. Never marked any schools at all.
I was running a couple long lines and a couple downriggers. Like Trailbob, didn't seem to matter what flavor corn on the hooks. Speed was nearer 1MPH than my normal 1.2. I was only hanging a 3/4 ounce weight on my pop gear rudders on the 60 ft long lines. And 27 feet was where I caught on the downriggers.
For the first time for me at Dworshak I hit more fish on a dodger and a homemade green squid than pop gear and spinners. That was the hot setup for me. Still caught fish on green weddin rings and hammered chrome pop. But the dodger and squid were best for me.
Not a lot of kokanee boats out. Plenty of idiots towing tubes with deep draft jet boats right up and personal where we and others were trolling. Make a guy wish to run out a couple 8 pound deck guns sometimes.
I only had a couple hours to fish, the wife's back is so bad, I'm just glad to be able to get her out on the water for a bit. We started catching fish soon as we got lines in the water. BIG ones, several right up at 14 inch. Big for Dworshak anyway. Never really marked more than the odd fish here and there on the finder. Never marked any schools at all.
I was running a couple long lines and a couple downriggers. Like Trailbob, didn't seem to matter what flavor corn on the hooks. Speed was nearer 1MPH than my normal 1.2. I was only hanging a 3/4 ounce weight on my pop gear rudders on the 60 ft long lines. And 27 feet was where I caught on the downriggers.
For the first time for me at Dworshak I hit more fish on a dodger and a homemade green squid than pop gear and spinners. That was the hot setup for me. Still caught fish on green weddin rings and hammered chrome pop. But the dodger and squid were best for me.
Not a lot of kokanee boats out. Plenty of idiots towing tubes with deep draft jet boats right up and personal where we and others were trolling. Make a guy wish to run out a couple 8 pound deck guns sometimes.
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Bruces Eddy
Put in at Bruces Eddy on Monday and fished for 2.5 hours and did not catch a fish. Had 2 drive bys but zilch, nada. Loaded up and went home. What is going on, are the fish moving up river or is the release at the dam got them fouled up?
Put in at Bruces Eddy on Monday and fished for 2.5 hours and did not catch a fish. Had 2 drive bys but zilch, nada. Loaded up and went home. What is going on, are the fish moving up river or is the release at the dam got them fouled up?
ricks
Well-known member
It would not surprise me if the fish have generally moved up and are not schooling at the dam. I fished the dam to Big Eddy last week and only caught three until we motored up to Indian. I didn't even try around the dam Sunday and had no problem catching fish from Indian to Canyon.
Yes, I expect the fish to change behaviors. Last time they released water the fish seemed to go much shallower alongside ridges instead of out at the mouth of the creeks. I do not think they are traveling a lot further uplake yet. IMHO the majority are still between Indian and Elk Creeks. That could of changed in the last couple days, but has been the case for me so far. Won't be very long before Dent Bridge gets hot though.
Yes, I expect the fish to change behaviors. Last time they released water the fish seemed to go much shallower alongside ridges instead of out at the mouth of the creeks. I do not think they are traveling a lot further uplake yet. IMHO the majority are still between Indian and Elk Creeks. That could of changed in the last couple days, but has been the case for me so far. Won't be very long before Dent Bridge gets hot though.
kenbarb
Well-known member
Great Kokanee Fishing 6/29/17
Barb and I arrived at Bruces Eddy at 5:15AM, launched the boat then headed to Canyon Creek, water was flat, and was glad to see very little debris, beautiful morning with big white clouds. Pulled the boat off plane when we got to Canyon Creek, Rigged three rods for long lining with a string of pop gear on each, terminal lure was various colored squid lures tipped with scented shoe peg corn, 1oz to 3oz banana weight, with 60' setback. Started catching fish right away, most in the 10" range. Fished for several hours with a steady bite, then trolled toward Indian Creek, as the day got hotter the bite slowed, trolled past the mouth of Indian Creek, and along the shoreline toward Merrys Bay with a steady bite. The fish increased in size at Indian Creek, they were around 11"/12", and plump. We pulled the gear in at 11:00AM, it was getting pretty warm, and that was the time we had determined to quit. Ended up with 37 very nice Kokanee. We had clouds blocking the sun most of the morning, and just a slight breeze, what a great day to be on the water. Ken & Barb
Barb and I arrived at Bruces Eddy at 5:15AM, launched the boat then headed to Canyon Creek, water was flat, and was glad to see very little debris, beautiful morning with big white clouds. Pulled the boat off plane when we got to Canyon Creek, Rigged three rods for long lining with a string of pop gear on each, terminal lure was various colored squid lures tipped with scented shoe peg corn, 1oz to 3oz banana weight, with 60' setback. Started catching fish right away, most in the 10" range. Fished for several hours with a steady bite, then trolled toward Indian Creek, as the day got hotter the bite slowed, trolled past the mouth of Indian Creek, and along the shoreline toward Merrys Bay with a steady bite. The fish increased in size at Indian Creek, they were around 11"/12", and plump. We pulled the gear in at 11:00AM, it was getting pretty warm, and that was the time we had determined to quit. Ended up with 37 very nice Kokanee. We had clouds blocking the sun most of the morning, and just a slight breeze, what a great day to be on the water. Ken & Barb
ricks
Well-known member
My wife Laurie and I dropped in at Bruces at 7, headed up to Indian. Started fishing couple long lines with pop and a couple downriggers with dodgers and squid. Worked Indian for an hour, all over the place, trolled to the other side and then up Canyon. By noon we had 40 plus. Bigger fish around Indian and in the middle of the lake. Best hitting was a Jensen dodger with a green squid. It hit all day. I changed pop all day long, started green and brass, ended up with all sorts of stuff, hammered chrome pop and pink spinner later, early was green pop and green and orange spinner.
I was running 1/2ounce weight and 60 ft long lines. Fish were generally fairly shallow. Best speeds between 1.1 and 1.2 MPH. Downriggers hit all day between 25 and 30 ft.
Nice big fish. Going to smoke them tomorrow.
Rick
I was running 1/2ounce weight and 60 ft long lines. Fish were generally fairly shallow. Best speeds between 1.1 and 1.2 MPH. Downriggers hit all day between 25 and 30 ft.
Nice big fish. Going to smoke them tomorrow.
Rick
tight lines
Thanks for the info. This steaming hot weather may have moved them up but intend on starting, maybe, at Elk Creek & work way back. Can't start that early though since coming from Clarkston
If you're up there tomorrow I'll be in 19' old Blue Fin w/IO.
worthy12101welcomwhttp://www.kokaneefishingforum.com/fishing-forums/images/smilies/welcome1.gif
Thanks for the info. This steaming hot weather may have moved them up but intend on starting, maybe, at Elk Creek & work way back. Can't start that early though since coming from Clarkston
If you're up there tomorrow I'll be in 19' old Blue Fin w/IO.worthy12101welcomwhttp://www.kokaneefishingforum.com/fishing-forums/images/smilies/welcome1.gif
