Omak Lake...check another off the bucket list (video)

I had hoped several years ago during my Cascadia Big Fishing Year that I would find time to fish Omak Lake in north central Washington for big Lahontan Cutthroat Trout. Alas I never did find time during that busy year and ever since I've always wanted to kayak fish that lake. Last week due to poor weather and some client cancellations I found myself with two free available days and decided to make a gonzo trip, 7 hours one way from my house, to Omak Lake. 



About four hours into the drive as I turned north out of Wenatchee I was having regrets. However, a few hours later after I shoved off the beach at the north end of the lake and hooked a beautiful 18" trout those doubts quickly faded.



Despite high winds and a broken mirage drive I still managed to land 25 trout that afternoon on a variety of gear. While Maglips and Needlefish all produced fish but the most consistent producers were the Brad's Superbait Cutplug Mini's in a Seahawk and Blackjack patterns. Trolling hummer and wooly bugger flies on a sinking line also produced consistent results. Fish average 16-20" with a few smaller and bigger fish thrown in.



I stayed the night in Omak with a pit stop at the hardware store to repair the mirage drive. On the drive out to the lake the next morning I was greeted by a large Cinnamon Bear and a brisk southerly wind. The wind died as the day progressed but, like the day before, the bite never really let off. By noon I had racked up nearly 40 more fish with several over 20".



I consistently found fish in 15-40' of water at a troll speed of 1.6-2.7 mph. This lake truly impressed me and I would easily rank this lake among the top trout lakes in Washington state. If you ever have the opportunity to fish this lake I would encourage you to partake in this remarkable fishery.

Does the alkalinity level affect the taste and quality of the meat at all?

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Yes the alkalinity is reported to alter the taste of the trout. I was practicing catch and release only but I had read in my research that people do eat the Lahontans and that they take smoke very well.

Yes the alkalinity is reported to alter the taste of the trout. I was practicing catch and release only but I had read in my research that people do eat the Lahontans and that they take some very well.

Thank you for the response! It looks like a heck of a time!! As a kid we fished at pyramid lake and caught a few of the big cutthroat there (none of the monsters but >22" fish.) I will have to add this to my list of places to go!! A few more questions while I am curious...

Is there camping nearby or on the lake? Does one also need a washington state license to fish there or just the tribal permit? I know in some places the fishing permit is sufficient since it's private land, I should probably pick up a WA license anyway, but am just curious.

Great report and video - thank you for sharing all that. I appreciate the tips on the lures. Beautiful place!

Does the alkalinity level affect the taste and quality of the meat at all?

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Actually,  some of the best smoked trout I've ever had were ones I caught in Omak.

You only need a tribal license. 

Yes the alkalinity is reported to alter the taste of the trout. I was practicing catch and release only but I had read in my research that people do eat the Lahontans and that they take some very well.

Thank you for the response! It looks like a heck of a time!! As a kid we fished at pyramid lake and caught a few of the big cutthroat there (none of the monsters but >22" fish.) I will have to add this to my list of places to go!! A few more questions while I am curious...

Is there camping nearby or on the lake? Does one also need a washington state license to fish there or just the tribal permit? I know in some places the fishing permit is sufficient since it's private land, I should probably pick up a WA license anyway, but am just curious.

You just need the tribal permit. They can be bought at Walmart in Omak a few miles from the lake. You can also camp at Nicholson beach with a tribal camping permit.