Lake Washington Questions

[SeatoSummit88]

Hey Everyone,

I have never targeted any species in Lake WA before. My territory includes mostly salt water and the sky/snoho/coastal rivers. My father in-law has a place on the lake just north of Oh Denny Park. I have seen some guys putt around in the evening near the neighboring docks, but haven't looked into what they are fishing for. I know what species can be found, however I have never fished this lake. I haven't looked at the regs for this body of water, so my intrigue on here doesn't mean I am going to go out and fish right now; if it wasn't open. I guess this post is just more of a shout out for any knowledge and helpful tips.


Is it possible to catch any specie of trout from his dock?

If so, are mornings or evenings any better than the other?

I have access to kayaks or a seadoo if I needed to troll.

I have all types of gear; except for down riggers/lake trolling gear (koks, trout etc..)


I appreciate any words of wisdom!

[Bodofish]

Yes there are trout and bass and about everything else. You could toss some bait off the dock or troll, you'd probably have the best luck just flat lining off a kayak if you're after trout. All the usual fair works.

[SeatoSummit88]

Thanks Bodofish!

I was thinking an evening paddle with my fly rod pointing out the back could entice an evening feeding trout. I was also considering casting out a mepps wedding tipped with a worm and just heaving it off his dock, or having my energetic nephew paddle out with it and dropping it off a hundred feet off the dock. haha

[Bodofish]

Thanks Bodofish!

I was thinking an evening paddle with my fly rod pointing out the back could entice an evening feeding trout. I was also considering casting out a mepps wedding tipped with a worm and just heaving it off his dock, or having my energetic nephew paddle out with it and dropping it off a hundred feet off the dock. haha

Wooly bugger in about any color about 50' back on a sink or intermediate line would do the trick. Or about a 15ft leader and a couple small split shot. I really prefer the fly's these days. Casting from the dock just before and after dark, ok well into the dark would work great too. Anything mimicking a leachish or small fry fish pattern should work great. I've caught some dandies at just about all locations around the edge of the lake.

[SeatoSummit88]

Sweet, I'm in! I like the idea of pitching an imitation fry jig or a sinking fly and working as the sun is going down and into the dark. Whats your opinion on glow jigs/flys etc on rainbows and cutts. When I think glow, I imagine using spiral tail jigs for lingcod, and how awesome they work in the salt.

[G-Man]

The water conditions, on Lake Washington, are rapidly approaching those in which targeting trout on or near the surface is futile. Last Saturday the surface temps were right around 66 which is pretty much the top end of the trout comfort zone. You can definitely bottom fish wirh some success for trout in the lake, especially if you chum, which is legal. If you want to troll effectively, you'll need to get down 20' to 30' now and progressivley deeper as the summer goes on. I like to use snap weights, if I'm not using a downrigger, they are easy to change out and remove after a hookup.

[SeatoSummit88]

G-man,

Thank you for your insight. I appreciate the advice. I will have to try out both methods.

Definitely noticing warmer surface temps!