Bonaparte Lake Trip (Okanogan)

Having just read about the guy that caught the 18.5lb state record tiger trout out of Lake Bonaparte back in May, this was one lake I had to check out.  I've caught all sorts of trout in my lifetime but had never caught a tiger trout.  These are a hybrid of both brown trout and brook trout (sterile).  A few lakes in east of the Cascades have stocked these predatory fish and boy are they pretty.  I made the 6 hour drive from Seattle to Bonaparte Lake Resort last week having reserved a one room cabin on the lake. A steal at $50/night.  What's great about Bonaparte is the number of different species this relatively small lake has to offer.  Most fisherman are targeting the larger kokanee that were stocked in the lake.  I was more interested in the predators.  Mackinaw Lake Trout, Tiger Trout and Brook Trout are what I was there for. 

Over the course of three days, I was putting in long 12 to 15 hour days on the water.  I managed to land two Macks, two tiger trout and two brook trout plus a number of rainbows and kokanee.  I switched up gear quite a bit from Rapalas to Wiggle Hoochies and spoons. They seemed to like it all - if it got in front of their face.

The lake also has a healthy population of smallmouth bass that someone illegally dumped in there years ago.  They encourage you to take as many bass as you'd like.  I worked the shore lines one day for a change of pace landing over 50 bass.  A lot of dinks but fun none-the-less.

If you're looking for a fun trip, check this lake out. There are also three other lakes close by (Beaver, Beth & Lost Lake) that have some decent fish in them - I'm told.

Never have seen a tiger trout, good looking fish with some great milfoil camo.

Gotta love that scenic flat water fishing with no wakeboard boats and jet skies..Doesn't get much sweeter than that.

WHy did it take you 6 hours to get there?

Nice trout!  We have the same Truck and a different bed extender.  Those are pretty fish, and they make me want to try Bonaparte later this year.  I haul a Hobie Outback in the bed extender when I'm not hauling my camper.  Nice pictures!

WHy did it take you 6 hours to get there?

5 hrs according to google maps estimate, and all it takes is one worse-than-normal road getting out of Seattle to add an hour! 

WHy did it take you 6 hours to get there?

5 hrs according to google maps estimate, and all it takes is one worse-than-normal road getting out of Seattle to add an hour!

5 hours of drive time + 1 hour to update his profile pic on Facebook while on the road