Northwest Fishing Reports

Good afternoon,
I am new to this board and new to lake fishing in general. Mostly fished rivers, estuary and big blue for salmon, steelhead and bottom fish. Always looking to expand my fishing opportunities ( much to the dislike of my wife) I have signed up for a fishing tourney for the Combined Fund Drive at work. The tourney is on Banks Lake, I will be launching from Steamboat Rock SP and was wondering if anyone had any tips/tricks/advice that they were willing to share. I don't want to be tourney champ, just want to have a good time. Again I have never fished this lake before so any help will be greatly appreciated. I would also like to get my 6 year old daughter on some scrap fish, any ideas??

Thanks,
Kevin

Welcome to WashingtonLakes.com.

What fish are included in that tourney? What fish do you want to fish for?

What lures do you have to fish for what species of fish?

What size of boat do you have? What type of boat is it? What size of motor?

Smallmouth - the best places are west of Steamboat in what is called 'Barker Flats', and Barker Canyon, the south end of Steamboat Rock, Lover's Lane, east of the north end of Steamboat in the lanes thru the rocks - I forget the name - , the bays and rock walls on th northwest side of the lake.

Largemouth usta not be allowed in tourneys, I don't know if that has changed.

Get a map from the store at Couley Playland.

Here is some info on Banks;

http://www.washingtonlakes.com/LakeInfo.aspx?id=537&t=1

Thanks AMX,

Sounds like it will be a mixed bag for the type of fish for the tourney. A handicap will probably be put on the guys that fish it regularly. I'm looking to get into some walleye and smallies, I have never fished for them before so I don't have any gear yet (although a quick stop at cabela's on the way over will fix that, coming from the coast). I have a 19 foot inboard sled with a 8 horse kicker. Wanted to get an electric bow mount but my wife put a stop to that :-) Thought about tying the boat off to the shore at night to avoid launching and retrieving it, as we are towing with motorhome and are going to be there fri thru sun. Is that a good idea?? Anything else I should be aware of? I really appreciate any info.

What kid of gear are you looking to get? Lures/jigs, or rods and reels?

Lots of people tie their boats to trees with long ropes rather than launching and retrieving every day. Just make sure you take the key out and disable the engine by taking the coil wire or rotor out of the distributor - depending on what kind of engine the sled has, like an automotive type V8 or V6. Maybe install a hidden kill/shutoff switch, and/or a fuel shutoff valve. Shouldn't need them there, but doesn't hurt in the long run. Take an extra prop unless your sled is the water jet veriaty. :-)

The sports shop at Coulee Playland will have lures and jigs. I have some casting rods and reels for sale - left hand reels - handle is on the left side. The reels aren't fancy ones, cost me about $30 back in the early '90s. I just use spinning gear these days.

Walleye can be caught on the west side of Steamboat south down by the BIG rock just around/at a corner that curves inland. You'll see that curve on the west side, southern/central part of Steamboat Rock on the map in the link in my other reply. That is a flat and wallies are just off the flat, and if the wind is up, they can be on the flat around the rocks, smallies also around the rocks. Crankbait and swim tail grubs on 1/8th oz round head jigs, or standup jigs using a small worm, 4" to 6". I like pumpkin with gold flake.

Walleyes are also caught by Eagle Rock. That is east of the southern entry into Lover's Lane, directly north of Steamboat and on the left/west side of the channel going up lake.

Walleye can also be caught outside the bay to the park where the boat launch is. Along the outside of the weedline all along the flats inside The Devil's Punchbowl. That is the name of the BIG bay/section east of Steamboat, where the camping park is. The road into the park is just along the southern end of The Devil's Punchbowl. You'll see all the weeds, cattail, and such. Look to your right and that water is The Punchbowl.

Thanks so much for the info, that helps a lot. I have a buddy who is going to loan me a rod and reel so I'm just looking at what lures and etc.. I do appreciate the info, hopefully I can return the favor someday.

Fish On
Kevin

I was there 2 weeks ago and if the wind starts to blow find a cove fast . We were in 4 foot swales and it was not to good in the bass boat. If your boat has high sides you may be ok . Fish in the am the wind starts up around 10 am and gets stronger from then on. We launched just north of steam boat and the perch will hit any thing and so will the smaller LMB. Good Luck!!.