2024 Anderson Ranch Reservoir Kokanee Report

[bowelkhntr]

Went to the Elk Creek Ramp today because the weather is too nice not to ty and fish, all ice is gone on both ends, but the elk creek ramp entrance is blocked off from them plowing the snow. The ramp is good and dock is in still, but until the entrance is cleared out, you can’t get in. Bummer, but the water level is up to the spillway, if anyone has any updates please post!
1/29/24

Is there anyone that knows about 2025 Info?

 

[Pauli]

Is there anyone that knows about 2025 Info?

Anyone have knowledge of the snow and ice in and around Anderson Ranch Reservoir? Also....What do you think about Lucky Peak Reservoir for this upcoming season? Did draining the reservoir hurt the 2025 season?

Pauli

 

[Pauli]

OK....The wife and I drove out to Anderson Ranch and ended up at Curlew. The Road was plowed, clean and dry. Little bit of ice on the lake near the Pine end, but not much. The rest of the lake looked clear. The Ramp was covered in about 2 feet of snow. There are also chunks of snow on the ramp from the snow plow....but that shouldn't too much of a problem. The dock is in the water, but also covered with snow. Looks like a few more weeks till accessible.
Pauli

 

[338Edge]

OK....The wife and I drove out to Anderson Ranch and ended up at Curlew. The Road was plowed, clean and dry. Little bit of ice on the lake near the Pine end, but not much. The rest of the lake looked clear. The Ramp was covered in about 2 feet of snow. There are also chunks of snow on the ramp from the snow plow....but that shouldn't too much of a problem. The dock is in the water, but also covered with snow. Looks like a few more weeks till accessible.
Pauli

Thanks for the report!

 

[My Three Sons]

Thanks for the report!

Thanks for the info!

 

[rjurries]

Thanks for the info!

 

[rjurries]

Chill guys we could get a ft of snow there in feb

 

[bowelkhntr]

Is there anyone that knows about 2025 Info?

This reservoir has been on my list for a while, but I live in north Idaho. How has the fishing been last year for bigger kokanee? Heard it was on the decline? I have a lake that's only 75 miles where I've caught some 18"ers in the past few years. Don't want to "leave fish to find fish"?!?!?

 

[My Three Sons]

It definitely has its great years, good years, and slower years. There are quality fish to be caught, however, in any of those years. It’s a beautiful, big lake, always worth a visit. Last year for me was a bit slow but we caught plenty of fish over 18”. I didn’t fish it as much as usual, however. It gets busier every year, I think. Gets pretty danged hot in summer as well.

 

[bowelkhntr]

It definitely has its great years, good years, and slower years. There are quality fish to be caught, however, in any of those years. It’s a beautiful, big lake, always worth a visit. Last year for me was a bit slow but we caught plenty of fish over 18”. I didn’t fish it as much as usual, however. It gets busier every year, I think. Gets pretty danged hot in summer as well.

Thanks for the info. Sounds like a good probability of some good fish. Hope to make a trip this spring/summer! What is the best time of the year to fish? What is there for camping? Is there a mix of private and public campgrounds?

 

[338Edge]

Last year I was catching bigger fish in June, then the Kokanee tournament happened and all the big fish were gone. Once in a while I would catch something in the 16" or bigger range, but after July most every fish was in the 10" to 14" range.

Did the tournament make this happen? I don't know. Could be that the number of big fish was just low last year. The fact that I was catching so many later in the year that averaged around 12", could mean that this year they will be 16" and above. Most of the fish were early spawn Kokanee also, which was a good thing to see.

I was in northern Idaho last November and visited Dworshak. We were able to almost limit out and the Kokanee there were very similar to what I was getting in Anderson during the fall. (Mostly early spawn in the 12" range). If that's any indicator, than I would say that if you have fished Dworshak, then Anderson will feel very similar. Dworshak is just a bigger reservoir.

 

[bowelkhntr]

Last year I was catching bigger fish in June, then the Kokanee tournament happened and all the big fish were gone. Once in a while I would catch something in the 16" or bigger range, but after July most every fish was in the 10" to 14" range.

Did the tournament make this happen? I don't know. Could be that the number of big fish was just low last year. The fact that I was catching so many later in the year that averaged around 12", could mean that this year they will be 16" and above. Most of the fish were early spawn Kokanee also, which was a good thing to see.

I was in northern Idaho last November and visited Dworshak. We were able to almost limit out and the Kokanee there were very similar to what I was getting in Anderson during the fall. (Mostly early spawn in the 12" range). If that's any indicator, than I would say that if you have fished Dworshak, then Anderson will feel very similar. Dworshak is just a bigger reservoir.

Thanks for the info. There is a lake here in the north of Idaho, that has a few large fish. I've caught a few in the 18" mark. Also thinking of trying Holter in Montana. Now unsure whether I should make the trip or not. I think I may have waited too long......

 

[River Rat]

Good morning, I have been fishing Anderson for about 14 years, it was always my favorite place, but the last few years it has been terrible, too many people, and for the most part extremely rude people. I started to go last year, but a friend told me don't bother, no camping places, take 2 hours to use the boat ramp, then a **** show trying to fish becouse of all the boats. It was always bad on the weekends since they came out with the wake boats, but that is the normal everywhere any more. If you go, try early, say April to early May, and during the week. It seems to be the general consensus that they over fished it last year, no one is expecting a good year this season that I have talked to. Good luck

 

[Pauli]

Good morning, I have been fishing Anderson for about 14 years, it was always my favorite place, but the last few years it has been terrible, too many people, and for the most part extremely rude people. I started to go last year, but a friend told me don't bother, no camping places, take 2 hours to use the boat ramp, then a **** show trying to fish becouse of all the boats. It was always bad on the weekends since they came out with the wake boats, but that is the normal everywhere any more. If you go, try early, say April to early May, and during the week. It seems to be the general consensus that they over fished it last year, no one is expecting a good year this season that I have talked to. Good luck

I'm very thankful that I'm retired. I went to Anderson Ranch one weekend last summer and it was crazy.....never again. I am really looking forward to March-April....but only on the weekdays.

Pauli

 

[Pauli]

Last year I was catching bigger fish in June, then the Kokanee tournament happened and all the big fish were gone. Once in a while I would catch something in the 16" or bigger range, but after July most every fish was in the 10" to 14" range.

Did the tournament make this happen? I don't know. Could be that the number of big fish was just low last year. The fact that I was catching so many later in the year that averaged around 12", could mean that this year they will be 16" and above. Most of the fish were early spawn Kokanee also, which was a good thing to see.

I was in northern Idaho last November and visited Dworshak. We were able to almost limit out and the Kokanee there were very similar to what I was getting in Anderson during the fall. (Mostly early spawn in the 12" range). If that's any indicator, than I would say that if you have fished Dworshak, then Anderson will feel very similar. Dworshak is just a bigger reservoir.

For the bigger fish I've always liked Arrockrock before May.... 18" - 21" were quite common. But.....you have to deal with "the road".

Pauli

 

[River Rat]

Thank you Pauli, I have always wanted to go to Arrow Rock, but like you said, everyone hates the road. So I always went to Anderson, but sadly no more, but maybe early, real early, ha ha. Let me know if you go to Arrow, maybe I can brave the road and give it a try and see ya, I sure miss my canned Kokanee, ha ha.