Its beaver hut habitats stretching across the northern two-thirds of this big reservoir are famous for holding big bass for anglers who like a challenge. Natural colors like brown, black and green pumpkin produce well. Swofford Pond. "It used to be predominantly a largemouth lake," Garrett reveals, "but smallmouths gradually took over.". The best bass lures can make all the difference when it comes to catching fish. Master the subtle nuances of the sidearm cast for increased accuracy. However, with so many nearby fishing lakes to choose from, its a great way to end your day with a relaxing mud bath or mineral soak in the natural spa waters! Subscriber Services. Fishing holds up through early summer when a switch to soft plastics is key to extending the bite. This requires placing a lure in a remarkably small zone. Fluctuating temperatures, pressure systems, and conditions all impact fish patterns and feeding habits. Anglers who call Washington home likely live within spitting distance of a quality bass fishery that pumps out 4-5 pound bass regularly. 4. "The lake is over 200 feet deep, and it just drops straight down," Garrett says. Lure types that look like bass food include crankbaits, swimbaits, and all types of soft plastic lures that resemble small fish and crayfish swimming through the water. Bowrider. It is notable because of its wider choice while fishing in various lakes, sea shores and water spots compared to other regions. It's a fact. The best ramp facility is at Bloedel Donovan Park (360-676-6888) on the lake's west side. WebOften the best opportunities to fish for bass are in the morning or evening. Taken as a whole, there are very few bodies of water across the United States with as many smallmouth bass. Skeeter Bass Boat with a Mercury 225 EFI and Minn Kota Talons for shallow water. A morning with Luce, and it became clear that while Washington is undeniably synonymous with salmon, steelhead, and a host of other famed saltwater species, the Evergreen State is certainly no slouch when it comes to opportunities to pursue Micropterus salmoides, the largemouth bass, or his bulldogging bruiser of a cousin, Old Mister Smallmouth. What could be better than a deep-fried nugget? But with the following six choices, youll have a lure for every condition during this transitional time, no matter where you fish. | When it comes to big largemouth bass, look no further than Silver Lake. For moving baits, lures with a lot of vibration can attract fish from far off. The Senko may be one of the most unlikely lure successes in modern history, as it resembles almost nothing found in naturebut this simple soft plastic has changed the face of fishing. Largemouths are prevalent around the sand dunes in the lake's upper end and are probably more numerous overall. Countless inlets and coves along Lake Roosevelt are prime habitat for smallmouth. Use a small dodger, short 12-18 leader, and a Wedding Ring, Small Plastic Pink Squid Skirt, or Gods Tooth Spoon, each tipped with a kernel of White Shoepeg Corn. Numerous boat launches are dispersed along Lake Wallulas length. From a hand-tied silicone skirt to the natural-style head, everything about this lure screams premium, and, despite the price, retailers cant keep them on shelves. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. As avid anglers, Joshua and Kendle spend their days exploring the waters of the Pacific Northwest and aim to teach others the joy of fishing. Recommended Reading: Bass Pro Shop Fishing Shirts. This year, the rifle will be chambered in 7mm PRC, the hot new load that was a hit at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. It will usually be cold in the morning and it may warm in the late morning. That water flow seems to (help) congregate the fish." That said, lures are generally characterized into 2 main categories Hardbody lures i.e minnows, divers, etc. Best Jerkbait: Zoom Super Fluke. Read Also: Pelican Covert 120 Angler Fishing Kayak Kwf12p200. Your best bet is to match the worm color to what the fish are eating and youre on the way to catching fish. As a general rule of thumb, moving baits like swimbaits and crankbaits work well on windy days, whereas finesse-style baits are suited for more clear water shallow applications. Less than a year after becoming a Washington resident, I met Ed Iman, an Oregon-based guide on the Columbia and one-time holder of the Beaver State walleye record. Advertisement Originally from Las Vegas and now living in Spokane, Tyler Brinks has had plenty of time to ply the waters of all three. Boat launches are available around the entire lake but most bass anglers launch from Kenmore, Magnuson Park, Gene Coulon Park and Beach Park ramps. It has long produced some of the biggest bass found in Western Washington with many reaching 8 pounds and a few that scratch the 9 pound mark. Don't let our great cold-water fishing fool you intooverlooking some great Washington bass fishing. You can fish the bait by itself on a jig head or an EWG hook for weedless presentations. For cloudy or murky conditions, vibrant shades like chartreuse tend to excel. Or Lure Z but only if it is the model in glow-chartreuse color with silver-inlaid hackles, whatever that is. It allows anglers to cover water fast and trigger bites. Is Lake Lanier good for fishing? You can yo-yo it, burn it, or utilize a stop-and-go presentation to get fish to bite, and it calls them from a long way off to investigate. Snake River. Heres some places I discovered while visiting my brother in the Seattle area for catching bass. Go beyond that for solitude and an endless supply of willing smallmouth. However, adding this to a drop shot rig is the best for consistently getting bites. This month, Washington-Oregon Game & Fish takes an in-depth look at some of the finest bass fishing Washington has to offer. Key areas are protected from strong currently by islands, cuts in the banks, channel swings or cover. Brinks suggests football jigs or deep-diving crankbaits, like the Strike King 10XD, are good choices here. Place this in a bed and the claws-up posture will lead to strikes. 5) Lake Washington. Smaller crawfish lures often work best in cold water, but if you are fishing an area with bigger bass, you can use a larger lure. Like many a serious bass angler, tournament bass fishermen Tyler Brinks of Spokane packs plenty of lures when he hits the water; however, his "go-to" tackle box whenever he points his rig at either Banks, Moses, or Potholes lakes is surprisingly simple. Youll certainly need to sort through a fair number of 2-4 pounders though. Even when bass arent schooled up its still a solid choice to throw for consistent results. "The hundreds of small islands the sand dunes make this a maze of cover. This year the limit was 5 per day, under 18. Our Boat You will be fishing out of a 21ft. As they move deeper, worms and jigs are among the top producers. Companies can make a mold of any shape and fill it with whatever color combinations they can think of. Anglers who know the Columbia sometimes enjoy triple-digit catch days during May and June, when the smallmouths spawn. BLM and DNR access areas provide decent boat launches and a small camping area along the southern and eastern shore. WebThe best lure to use in the Columbia River is lipless crankbaits. Its a year-round tool, but few lures beat it in cold water situations thanks to its precision engineering. As far as colors go, green pumpkin is my go-to for clear water, and black grape is an overlooked but extremely effective color for deeper and darker water. Durable, full bodied silicon skirts, rattles, weed guard, high quality hooks, and a variety of colors and sizes all at a very affordable price make this a go to jig for many bass anglers. She's full of smallmouths in the 2- to 3-pound range. I fish it around shallow cover primarily and prefer a crayfish pattern like the Delta Red. Soft plastics and jigs dominate the catch but crankbaits and top water baits provide fun action throughout the summer. Give a Gift Whereas smallmouth prefer rocky shorelines, points and breaks, largemouth bass are concentrated around downed trees and marina docks. Other fish available in the canal include carp, catfish, and the occasional snakehead . Understanding the primary seasonal movements of smallmouth bass and largemouth bass is key to locating them on local lakes in the Evergreen State. Master the subtle nuances of the sidearm cast for increased accuracy. My absolute favorite approach, generally on a warm summer evening, is working a topwater plug or plastic frog or other surface lure, which can draw explosive strikes from largemouth bass. Largemouth bass up to 6 pounds thrill anglers every year with good numbers of 1-3 pound bass to fill the gaps. Use a larger lure than you would for most similarly sized fish. Of course, the best spring bass lures can vary depending on what part of the country youre fishing, and which species of bass you target. Whether youre a new or experienced angler, you can feel confident hitting the water with these lures in your tackle. Or Lure Y. Not only does Lake Roosevelt claim the title as Washingtons largest lake at 79,000 acres, it also holds a top slot for smallmouth bass fishing. Are you a fishing enthusiast who likes to catch big bass? Lake Washington Its about 88 km2 wide and 108 ft deep. In addition to working the 120 miles of shoreline for smallmouth bass, anglers also fish for catfish, crappie, trout, whitefish, panfish and perch. Since then, the jerkbait market has been flooded with realistic options, but the Megabass still reigns king. Top water frogs, poppers and jitterbugs are great in early spring. Here are your best bets for bass fishing in Washington. As a bass angler and fisheries biologist, I am around largemouth bass every day. Bass are attracted by a variety of things such as vibration, smell, and sight. Start by covering all the bases with bottom, moving, and topwater lures. But if traffic and the white noise of vehicles is, indeed, a downside, it' the only downside Lake Washington possesses. In fact, some of these lakes are even considered to be world-class fisheries. If you want to catch the biggest largemouth bass of your life in the state of Lacamas Lake. Also, it is imperative that the river frequently offers countrys best Bass fish collection. This post includes a map of where to find these places. Learn what the bass in your area are eating and find lures that resemble it. Also, the Walleye fish are also visible there. Top 5 Bass Fishing Lures For Washington When bass are shallow, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and stickbaits are the most productive. A standard trick worm is around 6 to 8 inches, but nothing has yielded me more success than this 4 -inch finesse worm. The Roboworm 4.5 Straight Worm is one of my favorite smallmouth bass baits. You can expect to pick up your fair share of 4-5 pound smallmouth along some of the best stretches. The Best Places To Go Largemouth Bass Fishing in Washington State Include: Read Also: Short Sleeve Fishing Shirts For Men, 0Products recommended in the post contain affliate links. Ive had days where a bait a half-inch too big means not getting bit. This glide bait is an ideal entry point to to get a shot at the biggest bass. Potholes Reservoir. In fact, its only fifteen miles away from Banks Lakes Dry Falls, ten miles away from Summer Falls, and seven miles away from Blue Lake. Perch fishing can be a fast-paced affair on Lake Washington. We also recommend cloting designed to block the sun, such as long sleeve performance shorts and buffs to keep the sun of your neck and ears. "There's not a lot of shoreline rocky habitat, but you're looking for points, ideally with a 45-degree slope and good baseball-sized rock. Unfortunately, the best way to test this is with time on the water. The whole area is fishable. ", Located south and west of Moses Lake, and formed by the construction of the O'Sullivan Dam in 1949, Potholes Reservoir " is one of the most unique places I've ever fished in the country," Brinks says. 5. Local reports can be a good starting point when trying to dial in baits. WebQuail Lake is best known for its large population of stripers. Keep in mind that you need to have a D.C. fishing license before casting your first line. All of those huge pools behind the dams hold excellent populations of smallmouth worthy of your attention, but the ones we discuss below are worthy of extra attention when it comes to bronze-colored bass. Medical Lake has an early opener and a longer fishing season than Medical Lake, which has a traditional late April start. Jigging a small weight spoon tipped with a chunk of worm is the best setup here. FishingDuo.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Or some lures just provoke an aggressive response from these alpha predators. Lake Kapowsin is not a lake for fast boats. A smaller craw style lure creates a big enough profile to threaten them while also maximizing your catch rate. With our Minn Kota Ultrex 36v trolling motor, we have plenty of power for fishing and spot lock will keep us on the fish when a spot is producing well. Personal defense in the hunting woods could involve taking down a charging bear. It might not be close, but its also not far near Moses Lake just south of Interstate 90, under three hours from Seattle. Only lakes that regularly relinquish 4-8 pound largemouth and smallmouth make it on this list. WebFind many great new & used options and get the best deals for RAPALA COUNTDOWN CD-7, CD07, SILVER, S, 2-3/4", SINKING, BALSA LURE at the best online prices at eBay! "Back in the mid-2000s, it would take 12 to 13 pounds to win a tournament. Nothing is quite as exhilarating or as picturesque as landing a king salmon out of the Columbia River. Undeniably expansive at almost 22,000 acres, Lake Washington, by virtue of its location equidistant between the population centers of Seattle and Bellevue, is the epitome of metropolitan fishing. It depends on the conditions to find the right lure. The Potholes reservoir is one of the tops for Washington anglers in best Bass fishing in Washington. Lake Roosevelt. Even so, there is still plenty of solitude to be found and enough big bass to go around. This giant reservoir is filled by water pumped up from Lake Roosevelt and covers over 27,000 acres along its 32 mile length. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Flasher with a Hoochie First, we are going to go over the best trolling lures which are used when fishing for salmon from a boat. This allows anglers to set the hooks before the fish spits it out.. Winchester's new Big Bore ammo, available in 10 mm, .44 Mag., .357 Mag., and .45 Colt, is specifically designed for big bears in bear country. "There are largemouth bass in almost every lake in the state of Washington,", "I'm part of one of four main warm-water (fishing) teams that were started in 1997," he explains. In the early spring, bass eat a variety of prey in order to fatten up before spawning. In fact, the fish class has moved downstream. For more information:Potholes Reservoir Fishing. Ask some folks, and the big lake ranks a strong No. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. With so many local attractions in the town of Soap Lake, youll never run out of fun things to do. Among the accomplishments includes the recently concluded Save the Habitat, Save the Hunt initiative, which in 10 years conserved or enhanced 5.3 million acres of critical wildlife habitat, recruited 1.5 million new or lapsed hunters, and opened new access to 750,000 acres for hunting and recreation. Bass quickly ramp up their appetite and gorge on the plentiful panfish prey. By changing up the size, shape and color of your trailer, it offers multiple baits in one. These two quality smallies were caught out of Lake Goodwin, by . Lake Spokane as the Bass place is another best pick as a local favorite spot. That's a good thing, of course, because a fine argument really could be made for either. In the above video, NWTF's Jason Burckhalter talks about the group's accomplishments and future plans with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. These resident Sockeye Salmon live their entire life cycle in the lake and never make it to sea. In this article, we narrow down the lakes that stand above the rest. Willows, creek channels and other structures are worth your attention, too. Fish slow and cover likely spots thoroughly before moving on. Price is always a consideration as you build a personal array of tackle, and while several of these selections are pricey, none will break your bank account. On any given day, on any of the three Grant County bass fisheries, Lure X might be the hot ticket. West Medical Lake, which is a bit larger at about 200 acres, is more heavily stocked and has good boat access at the WDFW access at the southern end. The Right Size Bass Fishing Rod For Every Situation, Here Are The Only Situations When You Need A Fishing Swivel, 9 Best Smallmouth Bass Lures That Wont Let You Down, Are 1 Piece Or 2 Piece Fishing Rods Better: An Honest Answer, Spool Up Your Spinning Reels Right For Less Line Twist, Boost Your Surf Fishing Success With The Night Bite, How To Troll Like A Pro In Any Type of Kayak. It's a tough question, the one that asks anglers to name the best bass water in Washington; however, it's a guarantee that on every single list, Lake Washington falls among the top 5, if not the top 2 bass waters in the state. Dont expect to have this lake to yourself though. Join us in our endeavor to offer information about bass fishing on your favorite bass lake in Washington. I made my picks after years of fishing with professional bass anglers and interviewing them about the lures they useand why they use themspring after spring. As they move Best Classic Soft Plastic for Bass: Berkley PowerBait Power Worm. The bait has a blade on the front that vibrates to attract fish and doubles as a weed guard to go through vegetation. Whether fished as is or as a trailer, I make sure to always carry some Keitech Swing Impacts with me. Strike King Dream Shot "It's just a given that if you're going to fish bass, you have to have a drop-shot rig," Brinks says. But dont be afraid to fish them in windy conditions when baitfish get pushed around and make easy meals.. Lake Washington is located between Seattle and Bellevue, Washington. When fishing wacky or weightless style the Senko drops through the water in an even and smooth horizontal motion. 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Classic soft Plastic for bass fishing in various lakes, sea shores and water compared... 1-3 pound bass to go through vegetation number of 2-4 pounders though the... Transitional time, no matter where you fish. requires placing a lure for every condition this... Up their appetite and gorge best bass lures for washington state the water with these lures in area... For solitude and an endless supply of willing smallmouth many smallmouth bass the fish are and... Webthe best lure to use in the lake and never make it to sea 108 deep! Visible there lure than you would for most similarly sized fish. morning or evening to... To find these places visible there ft deep may and June, when the smallmouths spawn are prevalent the. Can make all the bases with bottom, moving, and sight shot is... Bass fishing lures for Washington when bass are in the morning and it just drops down. ( 360-676-6888 ) on the way to test this is with time on the water with these lures your... 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