Northwest Fishing Reports

Hotel is booked! We will be leaving Yakima Jan 11th after work and will be fishing Saturday and Sunday.

Lots of tips found for the trout fishing up there but I was hoping to squeeze in some burbot fishing but have no idea how to target these guys. We will be launching at spring canyon and targeting trout if we have a good day we would love to switch out to fish for something else. What other fishing is good this time of year Kokanee? Walleye? Would really like some burbot help though.

The Kookanee are always few in number, but the size in this lake is always worth it. Just watch your depth finder and check out any school to see if they are Kookanee. Spring Canyon is a great spot to start from for the Kookanee.

The walleye will be moving toward spawning inlets, but will still be a long way from them. At night, work shore line points and flats. A spot light will show the glowing eyes telling you the Walleye are using the shore, then let them rest and come back later. Day time fishing is mostly a blade bait or large soft plastic sculpin jig type fishery. Start at about 30' depth and look deeper or shallower, depending on the day.

Burbot are a different species for sure. They are pretty common, but I sure can't seem to be consistent. Once I jigged off the docks at the Fort Spokane Marina during December. I hit several that day, but I have not been back to dry it again. Once I hit a couple at the mouth of Hawk Creek Canyon in January, in about 70' of water using a blade bait.

Try jigging off of the docks at the launch just after dark. We have caught burbot off of that dock!!

Thanks guys! I did not realize that the burbot would be so close to shore. Any jig setup in particular that you use?

On the walleye would trolling with a bottom walker work here? I don't have any down riggers yet. I just bought my boat this year and am new to fishing all together really.

After dark, the fish come in to shore to feed. Chartreuse with a worm? I have never really targeted walleye in this stretch. If you went to the flats up by Swahili (sp) Basin (upstream on the north shore) you might find some 'eyes with the bottom bouncers. They will be deep during the day, coming into shore to feed at night.

Informative thread! Any luck ijones? I'm thinking of treking to Roosevelt at the end of the month.

Are you going to do another FishorMan special video? Wher are you putting in at? Spring Canyon?

I'm sure thinking about it! My fiancee is going to be out of town January 25-27 for work... I think I am either going to head to the eastside for burbot or some panfish ice fishing. I'm not sure where I'd launch. I have only been to Roosevelt twice. Would you recommend Spring Canyon?

The best burbot seems to be around Fort Spokane right now. But the Kokanee and trout are between Spring Canyon and Keller. Decisions, decisions decisions....