by Uncle Wes, August 10, 2007
Concrete- Lake Shannon doesn’t get the recognition that it’s sister lake to the north gets (Baker Lake), and seems to be a well kept secret that only a few in the know share with each other. To be honest with you I discovered her secret by accident, we were in search of native cutthroats and worked this 2,148 acre lake quite thoroughly and to our disappointment we hooked and released just four cutt’s in the 11-12 inch range, yes it was a hard day on the water.
Although there was one thing that stood out in my mind was the 12-inch kokanee that I had hooked and released earlier in the morning and the fact that school after school of them kept showing up on my fish finder. Finally the light bulb in my head lit up, if Baker is known for its kokanee fishery it would only be logical that this lake would also offer the same thing. We continued to work the lake and about 2/3’s of the way up the lake we came across another boat anchored about 75 yards off shore and every now and again we would watch them throw some chum mix over board (which is legal in these waters you can find out more on chum mixes on the internet) and they seemed quite busy reeling in there catch. After a few hour’s they pulled up anchor and headed to the boat ramp with their limits in tow.
For you kokanee fanatics I would break out my leaded line or down riggers for trolling or just find a nice spot to drop your anchor over-board, throw out some chum mix and hang on. All the usual set-ups work here such as trolling your wedding ring tipped with a kernal of white corn or a maggot, to just suspending your bait under a weight while your anchored. This lake reaches depths of over 200 feet but it is not hard to locate school after school of these land locked salmon on your fish finder. The same special regulations apply here as they do at Baker, nothing over 18 inches can be kept and all Dolly Varden must be released.
The boat ramp is an unimproved gravel ramp that drops off quite quickly so use caution when launching anything over 16 feet. You can reach Lake Shannon by taking Hwy 20 east out of Sedro Woolley pass thru the outskirts of Concrete taking a left on N. Everette Ave go one block taking a left on East Main St. for .3 of a mile stay to the left at the fork which will put you on Baker River Road follow it for ½ mile take a right on Shannon Lake Road follow it for 2 miles then you will come to a 180 turn which turns into Tom Higgins Lane take it to the boat ramp and parking area. So until next time may the fish at the end of your line be the one of your dreams.
