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Washington Lake Report
King County, WA

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11/11/2020
46° - 50°
Trolling
Kokanee
Corn
Pink
Cloudy
Dodger
Afternoon
51° - 55°
11/11/2020
4
9169

Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve been on my favorite fishing report website. Feels good to be back.

Today’s fishing trip was actually planned to just get out and get some fresh air. Wet a line, and kick back. Well, I did all of that with the bonus of a very action packed day. One of my clients has been letting me use his smoker craft this year. It’s been nice to hit the water right after work with no effort.

For the fishing, I started my troll north of Mercer island in the middle between both bridges. Very deep water and no other boats to be seen. Started marking fish down at 96ft so I sent the DR right to it. Had 3 take downs within 25 minutes of trolling. Lost all of them. Realized I hadn’t changed my leaders in quite some time, so I made the quick adjustment with a fresh set up. Sent the line back down, and hammered a nice one right away. 16 inches..... in November!!! Few more unbuttoned and then the last two came about 20-30 mins apart. The bite slowed way down, I was getting a little cold(unprepared,) so I called it. Only fished for about an hour and a half to 2 hours.

Hope some of you long time members are still on here. If so, leave a comment. Would love to hear from you all!

Here’s what I used:

Okuma 7ft kokanee rod
Sling blade and wiggle hoochie (pink)
Bait: scented corn
Speed: 1.3mph
Hot bite: 2-3pm


Comments

The Quadfather
11/11/2020 6:58:26 PM
Great to see a report from you again, DJ. I hope you continue to find time to fish this winter, (and of course always happy to read the reports)
DjButler
11/12/2020 7:09:55 AM
Hey there he is!! Quad father, how have you been? Yes, I’m hoping the weather and my wife will allow me to get out. We just had a baby boy who is 7months now. Life is a little different! For the better!
Ben Eggertsen
11/11/2020 7:34:07 PM
Hey DJ, great to see your name on another excellent report! Nice fish. Surprisingly deep for this time of year. Good job trusting your electronics
DjButler
11/12/2020 7:11:53 AM
Ben, so good to hear from you. How’s the fishing been for you my friend?

Yes, they were down there. I even marked some at 110-140ft. I’m assuming they are kokanee. Very interesting lake. I must say, I never knew you could catch steelhead out there. Not many, but I ran into a couple of them early spring.
Ben Eggertsen
11/22/2020 11:29:21 AM
While the weather has slowed down my fishing trips a bit, I've had a number of excellent days on Lake Sammamish for cutties. Most have been at 15-30 feet deep trolling a variety of lures with a chunk of nightcrawler. I have a season boat launch pass for Sammamish and it's a short drive from my home. I caught some kokanee and trout on the south east side of Mercer Island a while back but launching there takes me a bit more time and money. I think the trout on Lake Washington are a bit bigger but the ones from Lake Sammamish taste just fine! Tight lines!
JoshH
11/11/2020 10:58:19 PM
Great DJ! A kokanee lake on my list I still need to check of.
DjButler
11/12/2020 7:12:59 AM
Josh!!! I just saw your post on FB! Way to get out and bare the cold. Love seeing your reports. I’ve got a new go pro on its way. Can’t wait to start filming again.
herefishy
11/12/2020 10:36:00 AM
Any day fishing is a good day especially when you catch some nice kokanee. Great job!
DjButler
11/12/2020 3:11:59 PM
That is so true!!
downriggeral
11/13/2020 8:50:42 AM
Life is good DJ. One of these days that boy will join you catching fish! Tight lines - Alan
salmonbarry
11/15/2020 9:13:35 AM
Nicely done my brother! That's good to know as I was thinking of changing things out and start working the upper column next time out with my lead core and droppers but may just have to keep those down riggers ready to deploy to chase those marks!
uwbkokanee
11/15/2020 1:09:02 PM
Very interesting to hear there a good size kokanee in the lake this time of year. They should be spawning up in the Sammamish (as hundreds are currently). I do research on kokanee in Lake Washington ... if you get out and can same the heads (and note the fish lengths) I would love to have them! You too, Salmonbarry, if you're up for more. jsjensen@uw.edu
salmonbarry
11/15/2020 8:52:05 PM
Hey Jeff! I've got your number so for sure will pass on some more heads to you if I get lucky enough to net a few next time out!
uwbkokanee
11/16/2020 9:33:21 PM
Thanks!
DjButler
11/17/2020 7:49:27 PM
Would be more than happy to help. I’ll be out quite often the rest of fall and winter.
gcban
11/15/2020 6:38:33 PM
Nice report DJ. Been trying to get out there myself for the last month or so and it just wasn’t meant to be. Usually it’s been weather or wind. Going to give it a go this Friday so we’ll see how it goes. Good to hear from you again. Love your reports. Be safe! -G
DjButler
11/17/2020 7:51:02 PM
Yea, the weather has not been forgiving at all lately. Be patient and pay attention to the hourly weather report. I found some 2-3 hour windows where the wind died down, and it was fishable. Let me know how you do on Friday.
Sideburns
11/19/2020 12:12:47 AM
Glad to see ya back reporting. I'm still here...... but I've somehow gradually become an avid crappie fisherman. Did you see the reports with pics of spawner Kokanee caught in Meridian? Weird, theyre suddenly back. wtf? Excited for spring though!
DjButler
11/23/2020 11:57:46 PM
How’s it goin brotha! I need to get into crappie fishing as well. Great to hear from ya! I saw the kokanee making a comeback on the lake.
rseas
11/22/2020 12:03:56 AM
Congratulations DJ, I'm jealous. I've been working more days than not. And then the only days off I get there are gale warnings. So much for retirement... Glad to see you're catching a few of those underrated LW kokanee.
DjButler
11/23/2020 11:59:01 PM
ohhh that’s rough. The weather has been so on and off. I’m lucky I work where the boat it so I just pop out when it’s clear. These kokanee cut amazing!
FishingTenor
11/23/2020 7:15:55 AM
Thanks DJ for your inspiring report. I grew up in Seattle, but oddly enough, I have never fished Washington. My boat is on Sammamish, and I make it out most weeks on Sunday. Do you make your own special sauce for Kokanee?
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Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service

Phone: (509) 687-0709