Nice fish, but dont fish it too hard, it is a small system

I agree with Why2. Fishing here should be a QUALITY not a quantity experience

I do agree with both of you on yes it is a small system and the Quality of the Kokanee are incredible. I do consider this lake a Gem for Kokanee Fishing in Washington State and would never Jeopardize it by exceeding catch limits not only because it would harm the fishery like what is happening at Rufus Woods, plus It would injure My Service. I have fished this Lake for over 13 yrs and it has become a Outstanding Fishery with the size range of Kokanee that I am seeing. I do consider myself a Steward of the Resource and again I would never Harm such a Great little Lake. If numbers decrease because of to many being caught I will not have this as a Venue in my Service. I did want to say that on the whole lake yesterday there were 4 boats. 2 were fishing bass and myself and 1 other boat were trolling while we were there.

That seems like a kind of harsh criticism of a guide who is paying money to sponsor this site for us. Posting reports is a way for him to generate interest/clients. If you are a guide and taking paying clients out, it's kind of hard to tell them not to catch a limit of fish if they can. I just wish Palmer was closer so I could buzz over there real quick...

Nice kokes, Joe!

I disagree with both of the above comments, you jump on a guide whose living is keeping the resorce alive and well, yet I bet that if you were at the lake on a weekend you would see locals who will really abuse the fishery. Having lived near a quality river that is catch and release, fly or ect only, you should see the strings of trout taken by our locals. They say so what when I explain that its catch and release. If anyone is going to keep the fishery alive and well I would think that its a guide that depends on the lake for an income. I would think that the fish taken by the guides are a very small drop in the buckes compaired to a normal weekend of locals.....just my .002$

I will have to agree to disagree with the top 2 comments. Lk stevens in snohomish county is just over 1000 acres and is thriving with a 10 fish limit for koks. I dont know the regs on this lake but I dont agree its a small fishery at 200 acres even though its 70ft deep compared to the 150 at stevens. I think our guides do a better job than the wdfw does anyday for conservation. GREAT report. Makes me want to come fish with you.

Hi ya Joe, Great looking stringer. What really caught my eye was the smooth water in the background, what a beautiful body of water to float around on. With the water temps coming up, we'll have to get up there to try some bass and the elusive crappie. I'll have to agree with those above who mention the guides place in the fishing world. There probably are some "shady" guide services in the state of Washington, but as a whole the guides provide some important interactions with F&W to the benifit of the fisheries. So be carefull how you word your concerns. When Cindy and I were on Palmer back on the 8th of april, there was a party being guided by a professional guide, but they don't post here, and may not have anyway as they only had 3 kokes to show for a days fishing. On that day, we talked with several boaters on the water and at the launch and only spoke with one boat who had limited out. So the population wasn't being stressed on that day anyhow. It is always a concern when we see/hear of reports of people pulling limits from a "smaller" bodie of water, But I don't think the occassional trip made by Joe or the other guides will be the cause of depleted populations of Kokanee at Palmer. I agree with the above statement regarding the locals causing more damage than the public at large. SO Joe, Go out there and post up another limit. I enjoy looking at other's "legitimate" bragging Pics. Thank You for not only the support of this site, but the world of fisheries as a whole. My hats off to ya Bud.

But I thought five kokes a piece was the limit and there are eleven fish on that stringer

Hi ya Kingchinook, you are SPOT-ON with the five fish limit on the Kokes at Palmer. One thing you overlooked though, There were three (3) persons on the boat that day. Fred and Catherine Weiss (who look very happy BTW), and ole Joe. 5 X 3 = 15, at least it was when I went to grade school way back in the day. I haven't been out with very many Guides, but those I have been out with put fish in the boat also. So I fail to see a problem????. Anyway, I hope you get the chance to get out and experience some "quality fishing so you can post a fishing report someday, and maybe a pic to go with it. Stay safe and well.

Whoa Please Whoa,,,,,My comments were not a criticism. Simply an observation and a comment that was knee-jerked into something more than it was meant to be. I will make sure that any comments I make from now on are put before the commitee first.

Got some property on Palmer, and will be up there once again for this Memorial Day weekend. Been fishing this lake since I was knee high to a grasshopper, and now 30something years later: Nice to see the silvers getting bigger again. Last year and the few before, they were averaging around 13-15" for me and those I had asked. From what I can tell in the pictures and reports from this year, they are pushing 17" or more now. Nice!! I am excited, and can hardly wait.

As for our little "secret gem" of a lake, my family and myself have never been concerned with the guides/ clients that fish the lake. Guides actually follow the rules and regulations, and usually release those not worthy of keeping. The ones we worry about, are any locals AND/ OR non-locals, that keep EVERYTHING, big or small: Koks, Bass, Trout, Crappie- you name it. Or that keep more than their limit.

Was there last August and stopped at the camp by the lodge on the West end of the lake(not Split-Rock). Walked down to the water to find about 20 smallmouth bass that had been recently cleaned, and not one of them was a size worth keeping, in my opinion. Some of them as small as 7-8". Very weak indeed- both the amount, and the size. You can also sit on the deck and spot boats on the lake with the binos- watching fisherman after fisherman keep fish that are hardly worth cleaning. Why? Don't know. It is retarded. I mean, with all the fancy boats and gear, the last thing you would think is that these people are starving. I just don't get it.

Taking my 5yr old son this year once again, although this time (unlike previous trips), he is getting old enough to sit still for a trolling run. He is excited, and if it goes anything like the reports and pictures posted, it will be something he remembers for a long time.

Tight Lines!

PS- A heartfelt Thank You!! to those that do respect the lake and all it has to offer~ Cheers