Detroit Lake report 28-Apr-2021

Tested out the new Scotty Laketroller downrigger.  1st time I've owned one. 

Afternoon sessions at Detroit are so much more pleasant than the 6:30 AM ones.  Very little boat traffic to deal with and the fish bite better as a result.  Not quite as spectacular as last year when the lake was closed to boats, but close.  After 7PM, I was the only vessel on the water, but I wasn't exactly alone.

Only out a couple of hours until 8PM and caught 2 micro Rainbow Trout, 1 small Rainbow Trout and 5 Kokanee Salmon.  4 of the Salmon came on the downrigger and one on my 2nd longline rod with 3 ounces.

Nice! I may give it a try this weekend.

Good job!  The afternoons and evenings are great there as long as the wind doesn't get too bad.

I'm planning to give it a try from the campground next week. 

Have not fished Detroit, but done Merwin a fair bit. Where is the kayak friendly launch. Merwin is nice cuz there is only one for us. Assuming all the same gear/approach?  I have the same downrigger and love it.

If you don't mind, what part of the lake were you fishing?
A guide buddy of mine says to launch there and go to the south shore. That is a long paddle! Especially if a person is just going to fish a few hours.

Have not fished Detroit, but done Merwin a fair bit. Where is the kayak friendly launch. Merwin is nice cuz there is only one for us. Assuming all the same gear/approach?  I have the same downrigger and love it.

What is the heaviest weight you run?  I was using a 4#, but am thinking I might need more for ocean salmon later this year.  For Detroit Kokanee, I think 3# would be fine.  At 1.2mph, 100# braid and 55', I'd say my line had a 10 degree blowback. 

As for launches at Detroit, the Mongold area ($5 use fee) has two boat ramps (1 crappy winter ramp and 1 nice summer ramp), but you can launch a yak right from the parking lot when the water is high enough.  I have never used the summer ramp as its much easier to just launch from the beach.  When Mongold was closed last year, I launched every time from Detroit Flats day use area.  Free, but you need to cart down to the water edge.

Dave

I am just using the weight that came with it which I believe is 3#. I put on 200# braid in place of the wire. Very minor blow back but because I can see the weight in the fish finder I can get the depth pretty accurate.

Is the Detroit Flats area closer to where you said you were fishing? Bit of a longer drive but if it is a mile closer, might be worth it unless the cart down is long and steep

Before you head to Detroit flats may want too make sure its open. I think the fire hit that area of the town pretty hard.   Water is still down and will continue to be due to reduction in pool elevation for seismic/spillway reasons.   launching from the flats COULD be hard if water is down. 

I recall reading on ifish that south of the island tip was the "go-to" spot.  I haven't fished Detroit though for kokes.  Seemed like it wasn't worth the hassle of dealing with the power boat crowd, having to fish deeper, and a longer drive than Merwin (from the PDX area at least)

Can confirm the flats area is open, I parked and launch from there 4/27.