Eastern Washington Fishing Report 04.11.19
Omak Lake (WA)
From what I'm seeing, the fish movement seems to be a couple of weeks behind the normal time frame. The water temperature seems to be a big contributing factor in this. The latest temperature reading was taken right around 39-40 degrees. I’m still not seeing any of the pods of Lahontan cutthroats cruising the shallows yet. That said, I have seen a couple here and there, so maybe things will start picking up. The good news is, fish are being caught for those hitting the lake in the morning and evening.
As I’ve stated before, and yes, it’s starting to sound like a broken record, you’ll want to fish the drop offs starting at the 10-foot depth and deeper. Keller’s she demon bugger, Empie’s deadly shiner, and Carton’s gulpin sculpin will fit the bill for minnows and sculpin patterns. For leech patterns, I would go with an olive, black, or purple balanced leech. Use a type-3 sink tip or a full sinking line and keep it right on the bottom. Right now, all we can do is keep watch and wait for the stars to be in alinement and the fishing to get into full swing here.
Rat Lake (WA)
Rat Lake is ice free and fishing pretty well. Last I heard, it had not turned over yet or, if it did, it did it quickly. Those that have been on the lake are reporting good catches of 14 to 18-inch rainbows. The fish seem to be holding anywhere from five to 17 feet in depth and throughout the lake. Olive leeches fished close to the bottom along with black and silver snow cone chironomids are the top producing flies. This is a lightly fished lake, so you should have no problem fishing it with plenty of elbow room.
Davis Lake (WA)
Davis Lake, over by Winthrop in the Methow Valley, is ice free and fishing well. There are some signs of a light winter kill but, rainbows in the 14 to 16-inch range are being caught. Small water boatman are present and the fish seem to be keying in on them.
Also, other flies that are producing well are black or olive leech patterns, in balanced or regular. Plus, blood worms in sizes 16 and 14 are also getting action. The water is cold, and it appears the lake has not turned over yet. The good thing is, is that the trout are hungry and active. Spring is finally here and most of the lakes in the area are opening up.
See past reports from the Omak region, or click here to view all northwest regional reports.