Battleground Lake, WA Feb 7th

My wife has a bunch of grading she needs to do tomorrow and I thought I'd take my son fishing for a couple hours.  I've been watching the WDFW trout stocking schedule and they've dumped a ton of planters last week as well as 149 5lb brood stock rainbows this week into Battleground Lake.

If anyone else wants to try this lake from the kayak I'll take Owen out on the kayak with me (thanks again Spot for Owen's wetsuit).  Otherwise we'll probably just play it safe and drown some worms/powerbait from the bank.

I also discovered that this lake is actually closer to me (Portland) than Henry Hagg Lake, at only 44 minutes away.


View Larger Map

what time you thinking about going? I'm itching to get in a boat this weekend and might be able to sneak away for a bit.

The park opens at 8 am and I'm thinking more off a late morning/early afternoon kind of deal.  If I can take a lunch break with my son and let him run around a bit on land, I can probably get him out for two 60-90 minute fishing sessions.

We'll say 10 am starting time and I'll try and stretch it out till about 2 pm.  Owen's only three, so if he get's bored/cranky/tired/cold/etc.. I'll have to adjust accordingly.

Brian

You'll be happy to know WDFW has planted 100 steelhead in that lake in Nov.... Also Horseshoe got 278 and Kress got 221.. Wish I could make it down that way. I'm expecting an AOTY first metalhead.

Z

let me see what I can do. I'll drop you a line later tonight or first thing in the morning.

You'll be happy to know WDFW has planted 100 steelhead in that lake in Nov
...
I'm expecting an AOTY first metalhead.

I am happy to know that.  I hadn't thought about AOTY steelhead as an option out of that lake.  Now how do I tell the difference between the broodstock trout and the steelhead they've dumped in there?

You'll be happy to know WDFW has planted 100 steelhead in that lake in Nov
...
I'm expecting an AOTY first metalhead.

I am happy to know that.  I hadn't thought about AOTY steelhead as an option out of that lake.  Now how do I tell the difference between the broodstock trout and the steelhead they've dumped in there?

I'd say size. They're all hatchery fish that have spawned at the local hatchery. Since they've spent time in the salt I'd say they're much larger than any other broody. Spawning colors would also be a big hint.

Z

let me see what I can do. I'll drop you a line later tonight or first thing in the morning.

Sounds good. I still have to clear this with the boss lady, but I think she'll be good with it.

Good luck, guys.

On telling the difference between rainbow brooders and steelhead. They might both be in breeding (dark) colors. (The November timing suggests the steelies might be Cowlitz summerruns.) Size and shape will probably be the best clues.

It's tempting to tell you that, just to be safe, anything you catch should be posted as steelhead. (Fewer Points per inch! )

On the other hand, nobody, including me , posted an AOTY steelhead last year, so that idea might backfire.

How about using the "standard" designation for steelhead ... any trout over 20"?  I'd say this ruling is for lakes that get steelhead plants.  What do you think?

-Allen

Allen, I think that's a good plan.

The steelies should have a clipped adipose, whereas I don't think they clip the brood stock bows intended for lake plants...