Northwest Fishing Reports

I am looking for some good lakes in the South Sound area for perch fishing. The lakes will need to have boat rentals or good bank or dock fishing. Any suggestions? Are there any good areas on the south end of Lake Washington to fish from shore?

Thank you for any advice or suggestions.

I have a similar question. I want to take my 4 yo grand son out in Lake Washington to catch some Perch out of my boat. I live near the Kenmore launch so I'll be fishing in the northern part of the Lake. Can anyone suggest some spots and gear? Send me a PM if you want to keep it quiet. I only fished Perch in Lake WA once and didn't do very good.

Thanks!

Hi Bigdaddy, there was just a report on shore fishing, but it didn't say location. You might PM them. Gene Coulon park is a popular spot and ice cream for the kiddos!

Barchaser, I've not fished north of 520, but I've seen reports from Juanita point and just offshore from Kenmore. the key for me is finding the depth where they are at. This time if year its probably just outside the weedline. You'll definitely be able to see the schools on your fishfinder. If you don't, move. Or if the bite diminishes move (i remember the attention span of a 4 yo--about the same as my 14 year old). I use either a one or two hook drop shot rig baited initially with a worm and then perch meat jigged just off the bottom. White curly tail jigs can work too and then top it with the perch meat from your first.

I'm sure you can find them north, but if you want to take a run, I've had good luck in past years at the north end of mercer island and the east channel.

I've been itching to go, so I look forward to hearing how you did!

Thank you for the info. I assume Lake WA is open. I stopped by the Kenmore launch just now, just to check it out and there is still a WDFW sign that sez Lake WA is closed to fishing. Prob haven't gotten around to taking down the signs? Not sure when I'll take my grandson out, I'd prefer on weekdays. Right now the Kenmore launch was crowded ...on a Monday, so weekends will be really crowded. No fishing boats there today, all water skiers and wake board boats.

Yes, its open though as with all things WDFW you have to look at several different things to figure it out.
Start with the first closure notice
Then press release this retracts that http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/jun2416a/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
And that press release then says to look in the applicable rule pamphlet (before or after July 1) which lists Lake Wa as open.

I've found on the south end that parking isn't a problem until 11:00--just a few skiers before then.

For the most current rule changes, the best way I found was to use the "I'm fishing in a particular lake" link on the emergency rules website. If you look at Lake Washington you get, "there are no emergency rules currently in effect."

So I was out on Saturday and found the perch in their usual hang out this time of year, right at the weedline. The funky weather we had in the spring strung out the spawn and some fish looked like they just finished and others like they had been gorging themselves at the buffet for the last few months. Barring any crazy weather phenomena they will hang out at the weedline between now when the waters start to cool down again in late September. Fishing on the outside of the weedline will typically yield larger fish, but is a bottom fishing show. Fishing on the inside normally gets you the smaller fish and can be done using a bobber and bait rig.

There aren't any secret spots for perch. They really are everywhere and the rock bass are quickly catching up in the north section of the lake.

I did try the north end today at several places. Drop shot with worms, also tried a bobber, caught a grand total of 4, all small. No concentration of Perch on the FF. Seems like the south end is the best place. Since I launched at Kenmore, I just didnt want to run that far. I did achieve my second objective, used everything in the boat, Scotty downriggers, kicker, etc and everything works so I'll be ready to catch some salmon in July!