You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
2021 Dworshak Reservoir Kokanee Fishing Report
- Thread starter sawtooth
- Start date
Help Support Kokanee Fishing Forums:
pollackoke
Active member
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2018
- Messages
- 44
Want to try Dworshak
Hello Koke Fishermen of the Great North,
I've never tried Dworshak; just fished Kokanee in the Boise River system. Now retired, I am looking forward to a trip up there in a couple weeks. I want to do a cast-n-blast with turkey thrown in. Could someone please give me some ideas where to start? I hope to tent camp a few days along the reservoir, fish and hunt. I have a 15 ft boat with a 30 hp outboard, so I can move along fairly well. THANK YOU.
Hello Koke Fishermen of the Great North,
I've never tried Dworshak; just fished Kokanee in the Boise River system. Now retired, I am looking forward to a trip up there in a couple weeks. I want to do a cast-n-blast with turkey thrown in. Could someone please give me some ideas where to start? I hope to tent camp a few days along the reservoir, fish and hunt. I have a 15 ft boat with a 30 hp outboard, so I can move along fairly well. THANK YOU.
I would camp at Dent Acres. You'll have to boat a few minutes to the south end of the res for fishing.
Aside from Corps ground, there aren't really any non-private hunting opportunities near the south end of the res. And the corps ground is typically pretty steep. North of Dent acres, once you get past the private land, there is an endless expanse of State, Potlatch, and FS ground that's pretty good for turkey hunting.
Aside from Corps ground, there aren't really any non-private hunting opportunities near the south end of the res. And the corps ground is typically pretty steep. North of Dent acres, once you get past the private land, there is an endless expanse of State, Potlatch, and FS ground that's pretty good for turkey hunting.
pollackoke
Active member
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2018
- Messages
- 44
Thank you Dorf, much appreciated.
Good luck this year on your home waters.
SW Idaho is pretty slow on Kokanee right now. Hoping Anderson Ranch is viable after winter releases 'er.
Good luck this year on your home waters.
SW Idaho is pretty slow on Kokanee right now. Hoping Anderson Ranch is viable after winter releases 'er.
Only one place to launch with water levels this low looks like it will be awhile before anywhere but the dam will be useable
Dworshak Dam
April 2021
Day of Month Total Generation MWh Average Generation MW Station Use MWh Inflow kcfs Total Outflow kcfs Generation Flow kcfs Spill kcfs Midnight Reservoir Elevation Average Forebay Elevation Average Tailwater Elevation Average Head feet Midnight Storage kaf
1 9659 402 21 4.50 9.80 9.70 0.00 1505.96 1506.36 978.01 528.35 610.80
2 9650 402 21 5.40 9.80 9.70 0.00 1505.21 1505.56 978.02 527.54 602.00
3 7941 331 21 6.60 8.10 8.00 0.00 1504.95 1505.01 976.77 528.24 598.90
4 6757 282 21 7.60 6.90 6.80 0.00 1505.07 1504.99 975.90 529.09 600.30
5 6754 281 21 8.80 6.90 6.80 0.00 1505.39 1505.21 975.91 529.30 604.10
6 6747 281 21 8.80 6.90 6.80 0.00 1505.71 1505.56 975.89 529.67 607.90
7 6747 281 21 8.50 6.90 6.80 0.00 1505.98 1505.85 975.88 529.97 611.10
8 9.30 6.90 6.80 0.00 1506.38 1506.18 975.88 530.30 615.90
9 8.20 6.90 6.80 0.00 1506.60 1506.50 975.86 530.64 618.50
10 7.80 7.10 7.00 0.00 1506.73 1506.66 975.96 530.70 620.00
11 6.90 7.80 7.70 0.00 1506.58 1506.65 976.43 530.22 618.20
12 6.10 7.80 7.70 0.00 1506.31 1506.44 976.40 530.04 615.00
13 5.70 7.80 7.70 0.00 1506.01 1506.10 976.46 529.64 611.40
14 6.10 7.80 7.70 0.00 1505.71 1505.85 976.59 529.26 607.90
15
Dworshak Dam
April 2021
Day of Month Total Generation MWh Average Generation MW Station Use MWh Inflow kcfs Total Outflow kcfs Generation Flow kcfs Spill kcfs Midnight Reservoir Elevation Average Forebay Elevation Average Tailwater Elevation Average Head feet Midnight Storage kaf
1 9659 402 21 4.50 9.80 9.70 0.00 1505.96 1506.36 978.01 528.35 610.80
2 9650 402 21 5.40 9.80 9.70 0.00 1505.21 1505.56 978.02 527.54 602.00
3 7941 331 21 6.60 8.10 8.00 0.00 1504.95 1505.01 976.77 528.24 598.90
4 6757 282 21 7.60 6.90 6.80 0.00 1505.07 1504.99 975.90 529.09 600.30
5 6754 281 21 8.80 6.90 6.80 0.00 1505.39 1505.21 975.91 529.30 604.10
6 6747 281 21 8.80 6.90 6.80 0.00 1505.71 1505.56 975.89 529.67 607.90
7 6747 281 21 8.50 6.90 6.80 0.00 1505.98 1505.85 975.88 529.97 611.10
8 9.30 6.90 6.80 0.00 1506.38 1506.18 975.88 530.30 615.90
9 8.20 6.90 6.80 0.00 1506.60 1506.50 975.86 530.64 618.50
10 7.80 7.10 7.00 0.00 1506.73 1506.66 975.96 530.70 620.00
11 6.90 7.80 7.70 0.00 1506.58 1506.65 976.43 530.22 618.20
12 6.10 7.80 7.70 0.00 1506.31 1506.44 976.40 530.04 615.00
13 5.70 7.80 7.70 0.00 1506.01 1506.10 976.46 529.64 611.40
14 6.10 7.80 7.70 0.00 1505.71 1505.85 976.59 529.26 607.90
15
Get a map of the reservoir that the Corp puts out. They have all of the dispersed campsites listed on the map. Of course for a campsite with amenities you'll have to go to either Dent Acres or Freeman Creek. Like others have said the reservoir is down, so you'll have to hike through some sand/mud from the water to either camp or hunt up from the boat.
While not extremely popular, turkey hunting from a boat is a fairly common technique people do the first 2 weekends of the season. And of course hunters gravitate to the more milder terrain. That being said roosting a tom from a boat before dark with a boat can allow you to cover lots of ground. Don't overlook fishing in the morning along the shoreline until you hear one, and then changing pursuits.
If you can go during the weekdays you'll have a lot of ground to yourself. I'm not giving away any secrets here, so try Canyon creek, Freeman Creek, and Elk creek for both fish and fowl.
While not extremely popular, turkey hunting from a boat is a fairly common technique people do the first 2 weekends of the season. And of course hunters gravitate to the more milder terrain. That being said roosting a tom from a boat before dark with a boat can allow you to cover lots of ground. Don't overlook fishing in the morning along the shoreline until you hear one, and then changing pursuits.
If you can go during the weekdays you'll have a lot of ground to yourself. I'm not giving away any secrets here, so try Canyon creek, Freeman Creek, and Elk creek for both fish and fowl.
pollackoke
Active member
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2018
- Messages
- 44
Thank you Kate. I have a bunch to learn and appreciate your advice.
pollackoke
Active member
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2018
- Messages
- 44
Thank you Big Mack - great suggestions here.
Any info on the latest fishing at Dworshak
Checking to see if you had any kokanee fishing reports for Dworshak?
looks like some good weather on Thursday so wanted to go try some kokanee fishing.
Thanks
Whatadeal
Launched at 6:00 fished canyon Creek until 2:00 landed 57. Lots of short strikes fish were really picky but once we figured out what they liked we chipped away at them.
Checking to see if you had any kokanee fishing reports for Dworshak?
looks like some good weather on Thursday so wanted to go try some kokanee fishing.
Thanks
Whatadeal
Went up for a few hours last Friday.
Found some in Marys Bay, but action was slower for us so we moved. Other boats were getting them there just fine, don't know what they were using.
Moved to Indian Creek and found them. Some were schooled up, but mostly scattered. Biting on top and down to 30'+ Action was steady there and picking up, but had to head back before getting limits, don't doubt we would have if we stuck around. Smallest was 8", largest was over 11", I'd say average was almost 10"
They seemed to like pink best, but pink and yellow was a close second.
Found some in Marys Bay, but action was slower for us so we moved. Other boats were getting them there just fine, don't know what they were using.
Moved to Indian Creek and found them. Some were schooled up, but mostly scattered. Biting on top and down to 30'+ Action was steady there and picking up, but had to head back before getting limits, don't doubt we would have if we stuck around. Smallest was 8", largest was over 11", I'd say average was almost 10"
They seemed to like pink best, but pink and yellow was a close second.
Cast and blast
Me and my cousin are headed up to do a combo trip next weekend with kokanee fishing and turkey hunting. We have grown up in boise but have never hunted that area. Do the birds usually gobble this late in the season? I saw a fellow koke fisherman mention doing this type of trip earlier in the season and was wondering how the trip ended up!
Me and my cousin are headed up to do a combo trip next weekend with kokanee fishing and turkey hunting. We have grown up in boise but have never hunted that area. Do the birds usually gobble this late in the season? I saw a fellow koke fisherman mention doing this type of trip earlier in the season and was wondering how the trip ended up!
Last week and the weeks prior, I had been getting limits in Canyon Crk. Fish were 50 - 60' deep the last two weeks, and there were a lot of them on the finder. It seemed good all the way to the dam too, but I was sticking to Canyon Crk. Yesterday there were significantly fewer fish on the finder in Canyon Crk than before. I only caught a handful and had to search for them. Surface temp was 52, which seems like an increase. Went to Drift Crk later in the day to see if I could find some, and there were a few schools that were difficult to pin down. I also took a quick look in Indian Crk and didn't see any. It was a nice day to start, but turned stormy in the afternoon.
The most notable differences to me are the amount of debris from runoff and how fast the water is rising. Lots of logs and slash, and the water is a little gray too. Anyone think this has caused the change?
My other theory is that the increased surface temp has them on the surface now. I did see them jumping on the surface a bit. However, I ran a flatline for an hour and didn't get a bite.
I'm stumped. Maybe it was just an off day.
On another note, has anyone noticed that the average fish size in canyon crk is a bit smaller than in the main channel? I feel like there's a difference.
The most notable differences to me are the amount of debris from runoff and how fast the water is rising. Lots of logs and slash, and the water is a little gray too. Anyone think this has caused the change?
My other theory is that the increased surface temp has them on the surface now. I did see them jumping on the surface a bit. However, I ran a flatline for an hour and didn't get a bite.
I'm stumped. Maybe it was just an off day.
On another note, has anyone noticed that the average fish size in canyon crk is a bit smaller than in the main channel? I feel like there's a difference.
Me and my cousin are headed up to do a combo trip next weekend with kokanee fishing and turkey hunting. We have grown up in boise but have never hunted that area. Do the birds usually gobble this late in the season? I saw a fellow koke fisherman mention doing this type of trip earlier in the season and was wondering how the trip ended up!
They're still gobbling.
Last week and the weeks prior, I had been getting limits in Canyon Crk. Fish were 50 - 60' deep the last two weeks, and there were a lot of them on the finder. It seemed good all the way to the dam too, but I was sticking to Canyon Crk. Yesterday there were significantly fewer fish on the finder in Canyon Crk than before. I only caught a handful and had to search for them. Surface temp was 52, which seems like an increase. Went to Drift Crk later in the day to see if I could find some, and there were a few schools that were difficult to pin down. I also took a quick look in Indian Crk and didn't see any. It was a nice day to start, but turned stormy in the afternoon.
The most notable differences to me are the amount of debris from runoff and how fast the water is rising. Lots of logs and slash, and the water is a little gray too. Anyone think this has caused the change?
My other theory is that the increased surface temp has them on the surface now. I did see them jumping on the surface a bit. However, I ran a flatline for an hour and didn't get a bite.
I'm stumped. Maybe it was just an off day.
On another note, has anyone noticed that the average fish size in canyon crk is a bit smaller than in the main channel? I feel like there's a difference.
I fished canyon creek yesterday and had one bite in a couple hours at about 10’.
Finally found a couple more at Bruce’s at 30’. By far my worst day ever, I was stumped. Very few jumpers all over the lake. My guess is they were deep but my Lowrance Elite5 is back to being a piece of crap this year.
I fished canyon creek yesterday and had one bite in a couple hours at about 10’.
Finally found a couple more at Bruce’s at 30’. By far my worst day ever, I was stumped. Very few jumpers all over the lake. My guess is they were deep but my Lowrance Elite5 is back to being a piece of crap this year.
Your post prompted checking water temps near the dam which have narrowed a lot in the last week or two with the reservoir filling rapidly. They should be living at about 25' this week and coming up in warmer temps occasionally to feed. The big change in outflow could have moved or scattered them. Anyone have experience what they do this time of year?
Fishing Was Too Good
Got out for the first time this year and against my usual patterns, fished Canyon Cr. We fished from 8-12 Sat and Sun and caught 60 both days and lost another 40+ each day. Didn't change much either day. Fishing small cow bells with a pink squid or wedding ring on a couple and a dodger with green wedding ring on another. The Fire Corn seemed like it was a shade more popular, but the garlic corn did just fine. It took a pass and a half to figure out 2oz at 70-80' (20-25' down) was the ticket. We were hitting pockets where all 4 rods would hook up at once, which the kids loved, but as soon as you could bait and start releasing one hook, another bite would happen. There were times we had to get off the line just to have the chance to re-rig. It did seem that closer to noon, the fish moved towards the main body and started running lower than 25'. We did throw a number of them back just because of the size.
Got out for the first time this year and against my usual patterns, fished Canyon Cr. We fished from 8-12 Sat and Sun and caught 60 both days and lost another 40+ each day. Didn't change much either day. Fishing small cow bells with a pink squid or wedding ring on a couple and a dodger with green wedding ring on another. The Fire Corn seemed like it was a shade more popular, but the garlic corn did just fine. It took a pass and a half to figure out 2oz at 70-80' (20-25' down) was the ticket. We were hitting pockets where all 4 rods would hook up at once, which the kids loved, but as soon as you could bait and start releasing one hook, another bite would happen. There were times we had to get off the line just to have the chance to re-rig. It did seem that closer to noon, the fish moved towards the main body and started running lower than 25'. We did throw a number of them back just because of the size.
Friday and Saturday
Fished Friday and Saturday. Took a bit to figure things out but fishing was decent. We had to slow our troll down to about 0.8 to 1.1 mph and we fished one to two ounces 60 to 90 feet of line. Dodgers worked best Saturday and Flash Lites on Sunday. Bronze/copper/orange early in the morning and chrome/pink latter in the morning. Didn't hit it too hard but put 60 in the cooler 8" to 10.5". Fished pretty much in and around Canyon Creek.
Travis
Fished Friday and Saturday. Took a bit to figure things out but fishing was decent. We had to slow our troll down to about 0.8 to 1.1 mph and we fished one to two ounces 60 to 90 feet of line. Dodgers worked best Saturday and Flash Lites on Sunday. Bronze/copper/orange early in the morning and chrome/pink latter in the morning. Didn't hit it too hard but put 60 in the cooler 8" to 10.5". Fished pretty much in and around Canyon Creek.
Travis
Similar threads
- Replies
- 11
- Views
- 14K
- Replies
- 68
- Views
- 117K
- Replies
- 11
- Views
- 35K
