Hey loon lake north of Spokane is waiting for you. Just got two 15inch and one 17 inch last night. They are good sized this year. Been getting at least a couple every time we go out.
Crane Prairie was good week before last. I’m a rookie but managed 4, all in the 16”-17” range. I live in Boise and Anderson and Payette are picking up and have big fish.
Yep; Live Sonar is helpful on that lake. But really, its trying to find schools of fish that are away from the mackinaw. There are so many Mackinaw that are attacking these schools of kokannee, that they are stressed - and it turns off the bite. Last year, most of the successful fishing was in Trapper Creek area as it seemed like the fish there were getting some reprieve from the Mackinaw in that portion of the lake for some reason. At least you got some nice weather 🙂
Gotta agree with you!...I live in the Eugene area and have fished Odell for 25 years. It's always been off and on, but the last two years up there we got skunked for two days in a row. There are some folks who still manage to do OK but you need to be on the water before dark o' thirty to catch any. And you are almost always blown off the water by 10:30 or so...there was a window from 2016 to 2019 when the catch rate was pretty good and the fish were larger (12 " to 15"), but those days are pretty much gone......my Kokanee efforts are going to be going to other lakes this year...
There’s a trout lake here in Utah called rockport that always kicks my butt. I can catch steadily at every lake around it but this one lake never treats me well for some reason.
I spent my first day ever on odell recently. Inconsistent barometer,recent full moon and east wind first half of day. Put a good amount of fish in the net with a lot of what I learned from this page. I’ve been a lifelong hardcore fisherman but just recently got into non fly rod Kokanee fishing. Those peak performer lite dodgers are no joke by the way, I outfished everyone on the boat by a long shot. Thanks dude!
Just amazing to not see the master catch fish after fish. Funny your comments about Green Peter and Detroit, as those are my two main fishing options. I guess small fish are better than no fish.
FYI IMO, If you plan on being in the Kelowna area when in the Okanagan don't bother fishing Woods Lake unless you are fishing Kalamalka. Was talking to a biologist working there and the fishing is slower than slow. He figures there was a die off last couple years. So far Kal lake fishing has been poor but I did get a limit or 2 with many hours spent. The only other lake I have fished this year was Kentucky/Aileen lakes on the connector towards Merritt, lakes are stocked but a bit small, limited out at 5 in 2 hours. These are two of the clearest lakes you will ever fish with a great provincial park. Hope you have a great time here!
That's too bad. Wood was on my hit list. I decided to skip Kal because the fish are so small. Seems like the era of giants is over. Last year folks were doing okay. How are the fish in Aileen looking.
@Spilt Milt Productions i was at Pillar Lake 2 weeks ago, caught my first ever kokanee using methods from your channel. Cant speak to size though, the one I caught was little. I can say, its a pretty perfect kayak lake, narrow and really pretty. A little wind the day I was there, but even on my paddle kayak not anything I couldn't handle.
There was an early computer game for the 80s that was a fishing game named for odell lake. I think it caused it too blow up with presssue i feel. Have not fished it much was just near there on another lake and did real well
Odell can be a fickle b. But the 25 limit and often pretty nice fish keep bringing us back. Saw a picture of a koke pushing 16" last week. If you hit it right a 30 fish limit is possible but not very consistent. Sounds like the main bite right now is 4:30-6:00 in the morning with a little secondary bite after 10 if it is still fishable with the wind coming up. Usually the wind comes from the west so being on the west end is generally better from a wind chop standpoint but that can vary also. 6 miles of open water is very susceptible to the wind making a mess.
Thanks for sharing the good and the bad times. What are you favorite lakes in WA to fish Kokanee? I have only tried a Chelan after watching your videos religiously
Odell early in the season is touchy. You’re better off getting in an area where the schools are moving around and just anchor up and wait. They’ll come and go under the boat, but it’s usually consistent. Cast a jig across the surface while they’re bustin, and then jig down deeper or dead stick bait later in the morning.
I saw a few boats doing that. I tried just drifting but it seemed like it was 30 minutes or more between school, maybe they were thicker up by Princess Creek? I think I saw a total of 5 jumpers in 3 trips.
@@spiltmilt We’ve always had the most consistent luck on the west end near Trapper Cr early June. That’s also the most protected and kayak friendly area.
Do Kokes simply not hit if the water is too cold? I'm in central Utah. Was fishing Fish Lake, UT on Memorial Day. Surface temp was 42 degrees. I trolled really slow, did long set backs, etc. but didn't get even one hit. Thanks. Your videos are great.
No they will feed but more often respond to jigging in really cold water although I commonly catch them on the troll at Lake Roosevelt with water temps in the upper 30's
I learned that about 13-yrs ago, and it is miserable after 10:30 with the WIND! Late May and early June jigging is the ticket, and if your lucky you cast to the JUMPERS! From mid July to late August trolling about the only that you will catch limits. The HONEST locals will tell you that they are running 10" - 12" some fatty's in the mix, B U T. . . It's been a while since I've seen 14" - 15" I don't know WHY? Good Luck.
Ha! Love this! Thanks for allowing us to see the less than stellar days as well!
Seeing those macs on your screen it looked like it was time cut plug one of those little guys and drop a mooching rig down.
Hey loon lake north of Spokane is waiting for you. Just got two 15inch and one 17 inch last night. They are good sized this year. Been getting at least a couple every time we go out.
It’s on the hit list
Wickiup has been crushing it man. We’ve been averaging 14+ inches but shhhh lol
I was really hoping your next video would be walleye fishing on Lookout point res…
Crane Prairie was good week before last. I’m a rookie but managed 4, all in the 16”-17” range. I live in Boise and Anderson and Payette are picking up and have big fish.
Payette is beautiful
I fished all three of those last year and had great fishing. Trying out new waters this year though
Yep; Live Sonar is helpful on that lake. But really, its trying to find schools of fish that are away from the mackinaw. There are so many Mackinaw that are attacking these schools of kokannee, that they are stressed - and it turns off the bite. Last year, most of the successful fishing was in Trapper Creek area as it seemed like the fish there were getting some reprieve from the Mackinaw in that portion of the lake for some reason.
At least you got some nice weather 🙂
Gotta agree with you!...I live in the Eugene area and have fished Odell for 25 years. It's always been off and on, but the last two years up there we got skunked for two days in a row. There are some folks who still manage to do OK but you need to be on the water before dark o' thirty to catch any. And you are almost always blown off the water by 10:30 or so...there was a window from 2016 to 2019 when the catch rate was pretty good and the fish were larger (12 " to 15"), but those days are pretty much gone......my Kokanee efforts are going to be going to other lakes this year...
There’s a trout lake here in Utah called rockport that always kicks my butt. I can catch steadily at every lake around it but this one lake never treats me well for some reason.
I spent my first day ever on odell recently. Inconsistent barometer,recent full moon and east wind first half of day. Put a good amount of fish in the net with a lot of what I learned from this page. I’ve been a lifelong hardcore fisherman but just recently got into non fly rod Kokanee fishing. Those peak performer lite dodgers are no joke by the way, I outfished everyone on the boat by a long shot. Thanks dude!
Just amazing to not see the master catch fish after fish. Funny your comments about Green Peter and Detroit, as those are my two main fishing options. I guess small fish are better than no fish.
FYI IMO, If you plan on being in the Kelowna area when in the Okanagan don't bother fishing Woods Lake unless you are fishing Kalamalka.
Was talking to a biologist working there and the fishing is slower than slow. He figures there was a die off last couple years.
So far Kal lake fishing has been poor but I did get a limit or 2 with many hours spent. The only other lake I have fished this year was Kentucky/Aileen lakes on the connector towards Merritt, lakes are stocked but a bit small, limited out at 5 in 2 hours. These are two of the clearest lakes you will ever fish with a great provincial park. Hope you have a great time here!
That's too bad. Wood was on my hit list. I decided to skip Kal because the fish are so small. Seems like the era of giants is over. Last year folks were doing okay. How are the fish in Aileen looking.
Do Monte or even pillar for some better action, although the fish in pillar seem a bit smaller this year.
Monte is on the hit list, maybe Stump, & Peter Hope with it weird restrictions but big fish!
Sounds like you have it figured, those lakes have the biggest around the area here. Good luck when you make it up here!
@Spilt Milt Productions i was at Pillar Lake 2 weeks ago, caught my first ever kokanee using methods from your channel. Cant speak to size though, the one I caught was little.
I can say, its a pretty perfect kayak lake, narrow and really pretty. A little wind the day I was there, but even on my paddle kayak not anything I couldn't handle.
I don't think I've seen a video of yours chasing lake trout. Would be great to see your take on it. Nobody puts out fishing vids like you do!
I have several already.
@@spiltmilt Really? Guess I haven't dove much into your old stuff 😜
There was an early computer game for the 80s that was a fishing game named for odell lake. I think it caused it too blow up with presssue i feel. Have not fished it much was just near there on another lake and did real well
That split school was cool to see on the fish finder.
Odell can be a fickle b. But the 25 limit and often pretty nice fish keep bringing us back. Saw a picture of a koke pushing 16" last week. If you hit it right a 30 fish limit is possible but not very consistent. Sounds like the main bite right now is 4:30-6:00 in the morning with a little secondary bite after 10 if it is still fishable with the wind coming up. Usually the wind comes from the west so being on the west end is generally better from a wind chop standpoint but that can vary also. 6 miles of open water is very susceptible to the wind making a mess.
Thanks for sharing the good and the bad times.
What are you favorite lakes in WA to fish Kokanee? I have only tried a Chelan after watching your videos religiously
It varies year to year but Spectacle is usually consistent for decent fish and Deep has great scenery
@@spiltmilt those look like very hard places to get to. I’m sure it’s amazing though
Well at least spectacle is haha
Odell early in the season is touchy. You’re better off getting in an area where the schools are moving around and just anchor up and wait. They’ll come and go under the boat, but it’s usually consistent. Cast a jig across the surface while they’re bustin, and then jig down deeper or dead stick bait later in the morning.
I saw a few boats doing that. I tried just drifting but it seemed like it was 30 minutes or more between school, maybe they were thicker up by Princess Creek? I think I saw a total of 5 jumpers in 3 trips.
@@spiltmilt We’ve always had the most consistent luck on the west end near Trapper Cr early June. That’s also the most protected and kayak friendly area.
Yeah it’s been dead down there this year. The hypothesis is all the cold inflow is pushing them elsewhere
Have you been to Timothy lake lately? 25 Kokanee limit, plus trout,5. There are some nice fish there.
Fished it years ago they were all 8-9"
@@spiltmiltyep, not sure what is being heralded as nice fish but all reports I have ever heard for Timothy have been 10" or less
I always learn something new watching your vids 👍 👍
Come on down to Stampede Reservoir just north of Tahoe!
Wish I could Cali has some amazing fishing right now
@@spiltmilt I've been finding fun limits everywhere I go with my kayak the last couple weeks. Hope you get a chance to hit stampede soon!
Do Kokes simply not hit if the water is too cold? I'm in central Utah. Was fishing Fish Lake, UT on Memorial Day. Surface temp was 42 degrees. I trolled really slow, did long set backs, etc. but didn't get even one hit. Thanks. Your videos are great.
No they will feed but more often respond to jigging in really cold water although I commonly catch them on the troll at Lake Roosevelt with water temps in the upper 30's
Did you try East Lake?
No it wasn't accessible yet
So gotta fish for Lake trout to help the Kokanee?
I don’t think that would help
Do you do any salt fishing? The kayak guys tend to do well for ling cod this time of year until the season closes
Of course but weather windows are few and far between
@@spiltmilt we've had some gorgeous days on the sound this year
Puget Sound is a long way from me
That lake has huge fish
Yes just not huge Kokanee
Should’ve gone to wickiup bigger ones plus big browns
Maybe but I got more requests to fish Odell. Wickiup isn't fishing well by any means.
@@spiltmilt oh well I always do well anyways keep up the great content
Odell lake is a lot of work and, in my opinion, not kayak friendly. Very large body of water and have to hunt for the fish.
mack fishing is king at odell
we do not like odell because of the wind and the speed boats.
The lake I love to hate!
Can you please do a Kokanee jigging video?
ua-cam.com/video/_h72hD2OBWY/v-deo.html
Here you go ua-cam.com/video/_h72hD2OBWY/v-deo.html
@@spiltmilt cheers, thank you!
If your not on the water by 5 and off by 9 you’re in for a rough day of boating. 🤷♂️
I learned that about 13-yrs ago, and it is miserable after 10:30 with the WIND! Late May and early June jigging is the ticket, and if your lucky you cast to the JUMPERS! From mid July to late August trolling about the only that you will catch limits. The HONEST locals will tell you that they are running 10" - 12" some fatty's in the mix, B U T. . . It's been a while since I've seen 14" - 15" I don't know WHY? Good Luck.