Northwest Fishing Reports

I'm heading back out to lake Chelan soon. I normally troll with the DR for the macks (I say normally but I've only fished for them 4-5 times now) On my last trip I dropped my kayak and my DR was screwed for the trip, so I tried jigging with no success. This time I'm going to bring some Gulp Saltwater Grubs. Any reason they would be a good or bad choice? I'm planning on using 6" glow version with a 2/3/4 oz jig head.

Oh and any input on target depth would be great too, fish finder has been uncooperative lately.

I also might try for some burbot, if they are even worth targetting.

Mike has a good report on Lake Chelan Burbot fishing. I know a Swedish Pimple type jig tipped with fresh liver used to be the goto method, not sure if it has changed.

Here is the link to Mike's report from 2002, time to step into the WABAC machine with Mr. Peabody for this one: http://www.washingtonlakes.com/ReadArticle.aspx?id=23

Thanks G-Man. I read that article a few months back. The burbot would only be by-catch. I need to target the Macks - if I catch a big one, then I might focus on Burbot, just for the heck of it.

Stop off at the marina and ask about the depth right now. I suspect 150 feet plus or minus, but ....................

The grubs work well for Macks when I drop Shot, so I see no reason they won't work as a jig. The only question is how to fish them. If the Macks are open water, then you will need to SWIM the jig. If they are making bottom contact, then the sky is the limit.

how about that old standby, nightcrawlers?

There is always night crawlers. My GF is addicted to them and we have them even if we're fishing saltwater. Which marina are you talking about? I don't know the area very well.

Hey Mike, would a night crawler on a regular trout setup off the bottom work for the burbot? I wonder if an inflated worm would still be inflated at 200+ ft deep.

First, you've got to realize that I've never fished Lake Chelan, so take this for what it's worth.

I have done some fishing for macks here and in Canada, but I've always jigged. I've used Luhr Jensen's Nordic jig, which is minnow-shaped, with good success. On my last Canada trip, I tried a white tube lure over a heavy spoon and did well. There's no reason some form of Gulp or Powerbait tube or grub wouldn't work, IMO.

However, I would first go to one of the Shimano Butterfly jigs. A buddy in New York fished them for macks and salmon in the Great Lakes, and he did really well. He said that the thing that surprised him--completely blew him away--was that the macks fought just like a salmon on the the Butterfly jig. He thought it must have something to do with the jig body slapping the trout in the face as it fought.

As for burbot-- in Lake Roosevelt, I've done best on blade baits--think Heddon Sonar, tipped with a chunk of squawfish, er, excuse me, Northern Pikeminnow, belly.