Northwest Fishing Reports

Hi all,

Going to be taking a little vacation in mid May and would like to fish Banks Lake for the first time. Targets will obviously be smallmouth and walleye, neither of which I have ever fished for before. First off, I will be staying south in Sun Lakes, so any good spots towards the southern end of the lake that can save me some driving would be good, though I'm more than willing to drive where I need to to get the action. Second, I may be limited to fishing from shore or I might have just a small row boat or inflatable at the time. So, first, where are the good shore fishing spots for small mouth, starting at the south end of the lake? And then, or course, where to go for walleye? I have no depth finder or anything fancy like that. And, finally, any and all suggestions on gear and tackle would be appreciated as well. Thanks in advance, I really want to make the most out of what will probably be my only vacation this year.

-Christian-

I would recommend that you give Gordon Steinmetz a call for your first time out. Banks Lake is a very big lake and you'll spend alot more time just looking for the fish than you'll really want too.
http://www.bigwallysguideservice.com/guideservices.htm

With your limited lake access, I'm with Big D on the guide service. The lake is big, can get nasty in a hurry and the south end doesn't have any place to get out of the wind when it kicks up. If you really want to give it a go on your own, there are many threads on fishing Banks that had some good info that can be found in the forum. Below are a few that may help, there are plenty more in the forum so we'll leave you to it.

http://www.washingtonlakes.com/forum/ya ... -Lake.aspx

http://www.washingtonlakes.com/forum/ya ... lleye.aspx

http://www.washingtonlakes.com/forum/ya ... mping.aspx

Elmer...

I can't say that I know of a place for shore fishing for walleye. I have done a lot of shore fishing and haven't had any luck catching them. For Smallies you may need to drive a little further up lake if you want to get into some decent shore fishing. Again I haven't spent much time down lake fishing. The luck I have had has been just before of the entrance to Steamboat Rock. Aprox 1/2 to 1/4 mile before entrance.

Tackle wise I have my best success with Smoke (Gray with gold and black flakes) colored Gitzits, Texas rig with 1/16 to 1/8 oz wt., I can't remember off the top of my head the size of hook I use. I have also caught them there with Rattle Traps.

Other than that I haven't spent much time up there lately. And as the guys said before the guide wouldn't be a bad idea!

I fish Banks often and usually fish up in the north end, there is more launch options and protected bays. There is many spots along the highway that you can fish from shore. Crankbaits, jigs, jerkbaits, and a dropshot set up, I often catch walleye while bass fishing. Fish along riprap walls, points and pockets. I troll out in the main lake along Steamboat Rock for walleye and riprap walls along the highway just south of Steamboat, but many fish are taken casting and retrieving , Most often I drive from Coulee city up either to Steamboat or to Electric city, its really not far. South end does have a nice boat launch if its not rough, there I'll fish around the few isllands on that end, shore fishing is more limited on the
south end. You can check with Big Wallys tackle shop on the south end to see what people have been doing. I was able
to find fish the first time out, its a great lake and finding fish is quite easy. Fish-On

I too fish Banks Lake both from shore and my boat. I do my shore fishing right along the main hiway going towards Steamboat Rock,down into Coulee City.I throw a med size Blue Fox or a Vibrex and catch smaller walleye from shore. There are a few docks to fish from in the area. I usually camp along the lake.Just past Steamboat there is a small bridge.I fish from shore in and around that area from both sides of the Hiway.I guess I fish the same as Spindog.

One other thing, check what the tournament schedule is, often many bass tourneys in May.... lake can be quite busy
and fishing is not as good when its got tons of people running and gun'n. 200 plus boats, more than one tournement
going on at the same time. Alot of fishing pressure can make it tough, its best to avoid tournament week ends.

racfish wrote:I too fish Banks Lake both from shore and my boat. I do my shore fishing right along the main hiway going towards Steamboat Rock,down into Coulee City.I throw a med size Blue Fox or a Vibrex and catch smaller walleye from shore. There are a few docks to fish from in the area. I usually camp along the lake.Just past Steamboat there is a small bridge.I fish from shore in and around that area from both sides of the Hiway.I guess I fish the same as Spindog.

I'm usually bass fishing over there but have caught a bunch of incidental walleye, and one in particular came from the exact spot Racfish is referring to, they have some good size walleye even from shore, mine was caught on a lucky craft LV500.

fish near coulee playland resort them there you can rent bo!ats and take them across the way to the spill way and fish walleyes bass trout carp and others there with nightcrawlers

Big D wrote:I would recommend that you give Gordon Steinmetz a call for your first time out. Banks Lake is a very big lake and you'll spend alot more time just looking for the fish than you'll really want too.
http://www.bigwallysguideservice.com/guideservices.htm

Gordy is one of the nicest guides I have ever met. Youll have a great time with him, and if it is Walleye you are after, its a guarantee....

davidwat1 wrote:

racfish wrote:I too fish Banks Lake both from shore and my boat. I do my shore fishing right along the main hiway going towards Steamboat Rock,down into Coulee City.I throw a med size Blue Fox or a Vibrex and catch smaller walleye from shore. There are a few docks to fish from in the area. I usually camp along the lake.Just past Steamboat there is a small bridge.I fish from shore in and around that area from both sides of the Hiway.I guess I fish the same as Spindog.

I'm usually bass fishing over there but have caught a bunch of incidental walleye, and one in particular came from the exact spot Racfish is referring to, they have some good size walleye even from shore, mine was caught on a lucky craft LV500.

WOW that is a PIG!:cheers: