Planning for lakes week of 7/27

Am looking for ideas for a week of kayak fishing and camping with my teenage son the last week of July.

I've not decided on a specific spot or species yet, though I am thinking to head to the northern half of Washington, probably with some altitude while the weather peaks.

So far, I'm thinking one of three areas.  I'd like to find a camp site with a reasonably close beach or ramp.

• Pearrygin Lake
• Conconully area
• Baker Lake area (sockeye)

I have no history fishing Washington.   Am just warming up to fresh water fishing, having spent my youth on the Chesapeake.

Does anyone have a good late July yak-friendly scouting report?

Search ballardbrad's posts for ideas, or contact him via his website: http://www.kayakfishingwashington.com/ or his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KayakFishingWashington?fref=ts

Brad is maybe the top expert on the kayak fishing in Washington. I think he has posted reports on all 3 lakes you listed.

Thanks for the pointer to Brad's site.  I already had him bookmarked but hadn't paid the site a visit for a while.

The plan is developing...

We'll camp at Coconully S.P. from Sunday-Friday and fish the Coconully Res & Lake next to the state park.  Depending on the action, there are a lot of other options within an hour's drive... Palmer Lake, Wannacut, Spectacle, Fish Lake, ...

And I'm seriously considering jumping in as the oddball kayak at the Brewster Salmon Derby July 31-Aug 2.  Will probably be heading home on Sunday, though.  Am a bit nervous about this idea, though.  Would be nice to not be the only yak in a sea of powerboats.

You might check out Bonaparte Lake and the three other surrounding lakes.  It's pretty mellow during the week and about 1.5 hours from Conconully. Such a variety of fish including rainbows, triploid brook trout, tiger trout, lake trout, smallmouth bass and kokanee. I spent three days there.  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.559277077543931.1073741929.247960055342303&type=3

Omak Lake is also great if you want to target big Lahontan Cutthroat Trout.  You'll need a $10/day tribal reservation pass that you can pick up at Walmart.  You'll have the place to yourself.  So many great places out there to try.

Stay away from Baker around the weekend. It will be a zoo.

Good luck~

You might check out Bonaparte Lake and the three other surrounding lakes.  It's pretty mellow during the week and about 1.5 hours from Conconully. Such a variety of fish including rainbows, triploid brook trout, tiger trout, lake trout, smallmouth bass and kokanee. I spent three days there.  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.559277077543931.1073741929.247960055342303&type=3

Omak Lake is also great if you want to target big Lahontan Cutthroat Trout.  You'll need a $10/day tribal reservation pass that you can pick up at Walmart.  You'll have the place to yourself.  So many great places out there to try.

Stay away from Baker around the weekend. It will be a zoo.

Good luck~

^^ Thanks!

I've not visited any of these areas so these recommendations are appreciated.

Bonaparte would be a great day trip, as would Omak.  They're pencilled in.  So many places to explore and fish.

The idea of floating in a zoo threw Baker off the list, and that's why I'm nervous about the Brewster Salmon Derby -- last year had 270+ entrants.  Even with 2 entrants per boat, 100-150 power boats trolling around what's likely a few hot spots seems more nerve-wracking than fun.  Maybe I'll go to Brewster earlier in the week and rob a few of their kings.     Yeah, there's a plan!

I just went backpacking at Baker Lake, and they have some of the nicest camp sites I've stayed at. There are large bear boxes, and a lot of room for tents and kayaks. I stayed at Noisy creek campground on the far side of the lake. I heard there are already about 7000 Sockeye in the lake, so fishing should be good!

You might check out Bonaparte Lake and the three other surrounding lakes.  It's pretty mellow during the week and about 1.5 hours from Conconully. Such a variety of fish including rainbows, triploid brook trout, tiger trout, lake trout, smallmouth bass and kokanee. I spent three days there.  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.559277077543931.1073741929.247960055342303&type=3

Omak Lake is also great if you want to target big Lahontan Cutthroat Trout.  You'll need a $10/day tribal reservation pass that you can pick up at Walmart.  You'll have the place to yourself.  So many great places out there to try.

Stay away from Baker around the weekend. It will be a zoo.

Good luck~

^^ Thanks!

I've not visited any of these areas so these recommendations are appreciated.

Bonaparte would be a great day trip, as would Omak.  They're pencilled in.  So many places to explore and fish.

The idea of floating in a zoo threw Baker off the list, and that's why I'm nervous about the Brewster Salmon Derby -- last year had 270+ entrants.  Even with 2 entrants per boat, 100-150 power boats trolling around what's likely a few hot spots seems more nerve-wracking than fun.  Maybe I'll go to Brewster earlier in the week and rob a few of their kings.     Yeah, there's a plan!

Crowds are the part I don't like about kayak fishing.  It's all about getting away from crowds for me.   

The idea of floating in a zoo threw Baker off the list, and that's why I'm nervous about the Brewster Salmon Derby -- last year had 270+ entrants.  Even with 2 entrants per boat, 100-150 power boats trolling around what's likely a few hot spots seems more nerve-wracking than fun.  Maybe I'll go to Brewster earlier in the week and rob a few of their kings.     Yeah, there's a plan!

Don't be nervous about the Brewster crowds..  Everyone is relaxed and there is plenty of room to spread out.  Most boats have 2-3 people.  There is a good spot to launch at the Okanogan mouth so you can completely avoid the boat ramp chaos.  I was the only kayak at the derby 2 years ago and everyone was totally respectful on the water.   It was a good combo trip, fishing for salmon in the mornings and Lahontans at Omak in the evening.  Maybe I'll see you there.  Still trying to make up my mind between the Brewster derby and the Steelhead derby down here.

I'm staying at Bonaparte Monday - Weds.

I will look for you around Bonaparte on Tuesday.  Monday we'll be fishing the Conconully(s) since Sunday will have been very a long day.

Sounds good. I'm staying in Cabin #7 on the water.  I'll be in the green Pro Angler

The idea of floating in a zoo threw Baker off the list, and that's why I'm nervous about the Brewster Salmon Derby -- last year had 270+ entrants.  Even with 2 entrants per boat, 100-150 power boats trolling around what's likely a few hot spots seems more nerve-wracking than fun.  Maybe I'll go to Brewster earlier in the week and rob a few of their kings.     Yeah, there's a plan!

Don't be nervous about the Brewster crowds..  Everyone is relaxed and there is plenty of room to spread out.  Most boats have 2-3 people.  There is a good spot to launch at the Okanogan mouth so you can completely avoid the boat ramp chaos.  I was the only kayak at the derby 2 years ago and everyone was totally respectful on the water.   It was a good combo trip, fishing for salmon in the mornings and Lahontans at Omak in the evening.  Maybe I'll see you there.  Still trying to make up my mind between the Brewster derby and the Steelhead derby down here.

Team "Dark Tuna" is entered at Brewster. The Okanogan launch sounds good, will seek that out. Thanks!

Just a heads up, Sockeye season at Brewster ends Sunday the 26th in case you were going to double up on kings/reds.

Am planning to target kings.  Sockeye's a new game and I have enough to think about!

Sounds good. I'm staying in Cabin #7 on the water.  I'll be in the green Pro Angler

Think we missed you on the lake, never found your PA. We arrived about 9 after stopping in Omak for some supplies and diesel.  No luck with the fishing today.

Tomorrow is likely a visit to Lake Omak.

Hope to catch you on the water some time!