Northwest Fishing Reports

My son and I headed out to Kokanee Lake this morning for a few hours of trout fishing - it would be our first trip there.

From what I could find out about the place, it appears crystal clear, deep water with larger trout + kokanee, 150 or so acres with a boat launch.

Nothing about gas pots or motor restrictions in the printed regs or online.

Thought we would be fine - until we arrived at the launch. There is a sign posted by the Mason Co Sherrifs Dept indicating it to be restricted lake with a 7.5 hp MAX allowed, so we were out of luck in terms of launching as my motor is a 25 hp.

Still a nice 2 1/2 hour round trip drive through rainy Western WA, with plenty of time left over for breakfast and beverages.

We intend to head back sometime with the smaller boat and motor, to at least explore what we missed today.

If this saves even one person from the same dry run as it was for us - it was worth posting.

onmygame

Thanks for the update that will save someone who reads this a trip for sure.

Wouldn't that mean you couldn't fire up the big motor but still use just a kicker?

Mike Carey wrote:Wouldn't that mean you couldn't fire up the big motor but still use just a kicker?

We did discuss launching and using just the trolling motor - however thought better of it considering the potential for losing half a day to show up in court to plead our case should we be cited.

I do know that on lakes that prohibit the use of gas combustion motors, that even when you have the trim up, gas tank back in the truck and use only an electric that you still get fined as it is still 'on the boat' in the gas pot restricted area. I've read about numerous guys who have made this mistake, and don't recall any of them having gotten out of it.

I'm not sure this would be any different - 'No motors over 7.5 hp on the lake' probably means no motors over 7.5 hp on the lake, whether in use or not, at least in the eyes of the guy capable of writing a ticket.

Erring on the side of caution seemed the right play.

onmygame

Cassidy Lake has the same HP restriction. It's an interesting question, one that, I agree, would likely get decided by a judge. I bet if you called three different times to the county you'd get three different answers.

Fished Kokanee Lake two times last week. First with my 10' Livingston, just rowing around,trolling small gold Cleo spoons. two bites all morning, until I saw two dudes on the long floating dock haul in one after the other on power bait. Most of the 13 to 18 inch rainbow were withing 200 feet of the launch, just beyond the shallow drop off. Went there next with ultralight and power bait and limited in minutes casting from shore near launch. Nice sized planter bows, fun on ultralight stuff.

Anyway, no motor necessary there.

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