Blue Lake Park - An overlooked urban opportunity

Christine and I enjoyed a nice 2.5 hour session at Blue Lake Park Sunday evening. In that time we caught 9 trout, hit several others that didn't sitck, and took home 8, ranging from 10-12.5". Maybe not the spot to get your AOTY-score busting brooder, but a good urban opportunity that is probably often overlooked. Might be a great place to get kids involved.

In years past there have been restrictions on the lake due to bacteria blooms. These were all caused by humans and pets and my understanding is with the new rules everything is clear. The lake is fed by natural springs so I assume the water quality is pretty good. It looked beautiful, a deep blue-green with excellent visibility (15+ feet).

Personal watercraft (human powered or less than 3hp only) are allowed only during Oct 1 - April 30. There is a boat ramp (sort of) but you have to be "escorted" by park staff as it requires driving on pedestrian trails. I recommend using a cart to make the trip from the parking lot to the water. Parking is $5, or you can get a year pass for $40 that works at several surrounding facilities.

For more info: http://www.oregonmetro.gov/index.cfm/go/by.web/id/149

We trolled small sling blades behind a 1oz inline sinker, with tiny Dick Nite spoons or small pink hoochies at 1.5-2.2mph. The hoochies proved to outfish the spoon 7-2 (only counting fish that made it to the boat). We got hits at everything from 10-35 pulls, but the majority were at around 15 pulls.

There are some lunker large mouth around the docks on the south side also. As you said though till apr 30 then i believe it's only available for rentals or lake side owners.

There are some lunker large mouth around the docks on the south side also. As you said though till apr 30 then i believe it's only available for rentals or lake side owners.

Yup, the way you catch those is to dress up in gaudy "Hawaiian Print" shirt and fish  a half eaten hotdog (bun on) rigjt next to the dock.... Worked for Gus.

-Spot-   

Captain,
I see your feet are never on the pedals. Does your wife know she is doing all the pedaling?  If not, then bravo.

Captain,
I see your feet are never on the pedals. Does your wife know she is doing all the pedaling?  If not, then bravo.

  HAHAHA!

Nice catching and great report.

I used to take my son to the water park during the summer. I never tried to fish it though...I did catch a baby catfish with my bare hands once. Nice report!
I wish I had someone to pedal for me while I trolled!

I used to take my son to the water park during the summer. I never tried to fish it though...I did catch a baby catfish with my bare hands once. Nice report!
I wish I had someone to pedal for me while I trolled!

It's not my fault! It goes too fast with both of us pedaling, honest!

We made a deal: I'd net and string the fish if she'd pedal, since it's easier for me to do that from the back. I keep telling her, that ain't gonna fly at the tourneys...