I hear ya Jar..We fished the 17th-21st, mostly near the South end of the lake by the resort. While it did seem slower than we were used to( we go every year that wknd) the fish were bigger and fatter. They (Trout) have been getting larger every year since they killed it off a few years ago. Makes sense I guess.
Anyhow our derby winner was a tie with two RB's coming in at 19". One taken off the bank with green power bait and one trolling a dark brown rooster tail with small split shot. We did notice the bottom fishing was a hit and miss deal with some folks catching like crazy and boats not far away doing nothing. Our party of prob twenty or so was no exception with some boats limiting and some not. Green power bait was the ticket for the baiters and us trolling got fish on the rooster tails and various smaller spoons. I myself liked the smallish dick nite in 50/50 chrome and brass with a med size split shot.
Funny you mentioned smaller fish but I think we caught nothing under 15-16" range. Maybe a recent plant just took place with the little guys. Also the resort owner verified a large Brown taken earlier in the week, no word on tackle used for that reported ten plus pounder.

Also wanted to add that shorter leaders on the bottom baiters seemed to work better. Maybe two feet at the most. Seemed that the Milfoil was no trouble this year and I usually go long to get above it but shorter seemed better this trip. Oh and the move around if you dont get a bite in short order. Happy fishing all.

For the past two years the State has not planted any catchable sized fish, just fry, in Blue Lake. We did find the fishing to be more challenging, but the majority we caught were in the 14" to 17" range with really nice dark orange colored meat. Because the hatchery raised fish are being fazed out, you'll need to change tactics a bit to increase your success. Stealth will need to be incorporated in your approach as the surviving fry will naturally be more weary. I don't care to still fish for these fish, even though it can be quite effective, I'd rather drag a #1 needle fish around waiting for the thundering takedown that these fish provide.

Iam heading over there on sunday for 3 days as my folks own property on Blue. Iam gonna target bass and try out the trout also. I was fishing last september when the summer rush was gone and knocking the trout dead one after another on power dough with nobody else on the lake. I haven't seen fishing on blue that good since I was like 12. It was so much fun. I just caught and released them all. Iam curious to see how the fishing is on blue this year. I normally fish Banks for keepers as they taste way better. If fishing is no good at blue hit up banks. Banks is great. Thanks for the report.