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Quinault Lake Report
Grays Harbor County, WA

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08/04/2014
71° - 75°
Trolling
Cutthroat Trout
Silver
Mostly Sunny
Spoons
All Day
71° - 75°
08/06/2014
3
2973

Well, the lake is open again, permits for boats are issued after inspection by an employee of the Quinault lodge, his name is Regan. They are worried about invasive species, particularly mud snails which have shown up in a couple of grays harbor locations, as well as other places throughout the state. I would call the lodge to find out best times for this, I know the lodge said after 7:00 A.M. he should be there, but I would call anyway.
This report is a few days late but haven't had access to computer for a few days. Only caught 3 fish today, all in the afternoon.It was O.K., though. This brute of a Dolly male (4 1/4 lbs.)put up quite a fight, tried a number of tricks to escape including charging the boat at high speed, then trying (unsuccessfully!) to wrap the line around downrgger line. I couldn't raise it (manual unit) without taking a hand off the reel, THAT wasn't happening! We caught 5 on Sunday, but no hogs.Searun cuts have been awsome, what fighters! I believe this warm weather has the morning bite somewhat shut down, although I lost a fish in the morning that spit the hook. All were caught on spoons. Rules have changed this year, only single hooks are allowed. I def. would read the new tribal regs to know what's what.I am having good luck on sickle hooks to replace trebles, actually we are losing less fish this way.They don't have to be barbless so that helps. Lake has been great, not much traffic at all and with a ban on skiers and towboats and jet skis it's quite enjoyable . Kudos to the Quinault tribes dept. of Natural resources, esp. (Dave Bingaman) for re-opening the lake to all users. Bob R


Comments

skagit510
8/6/2014 1:39:00 PM
I don't believe downriggers are legal, could be wrong.
The Quadfather
8/6/2014 2:14:00 PM
Downriggers are not an issue. It is under the control of the tribe, and here are their regs:
http://www.quinaultindiannation.com/Fishing%20Regs/lake%20quinault%20boat%20and%20sport%20fish.pdf
The Quadfather
8/6/2014 2:16:00 PM
Page 5-7 on the PDF
buc
8/6/2014 2:21:00 PM
I will be there next weekend ! I have downriggers sure hope there legal cause I am using mine!
Bob R
8/6/2014 3:19:00 PM
I have been checked by tribal enforcement more then a few times, downriggers are NOT an issue. But an issue may occur if you fail inspection for mud snails. Know where you fish, as certain bodies of water have them. Long way to go to fail inspection. Good luck, bob r
skagit510
8/6/2014 5:36:00 PM
Cool, good to know. There are some different rules there and they can change. Been years since I've fished it so my data is obviously out of date. Thanks for the reply and tight lines
Bob R
8/6/2014 5:56:00 PM
The lake that downriggers are illegal on is Crescent,Lake in Clallum Cty. This is to protect the unique cutthroats (Beardsly and Lahontin, i believe) and fisherfolk are restricted to 2 oz. or less of weight.Thanks for comments. Bob R
Steelhead6438
8/6/2014 11:50:00 PM
Isn't lifting a dolly out of water a violation as well? Bob....I've seen you post pics of Dollies (bull Trout) on this site. I thought even though on tribal land Dollies are still a protected (endangered or listed) Specie? Seems weird to me and also the whole reason the ESA is such a worthless piece of legislation.
Steelhead6438
8/6/2014 11:52:00 PM
Sure is a beautiful fish and beautiful place. I sure hope you let the fish go. Thanks for your report.
Bob R
8/7/2014 5:25:00 AM
Steelhead6438--- Isn't liftingSteelhead6438 a dolly out of water a violation as well? Bob....I've seen you post pics of Dollies (bull Trout) on this site. I thought even though on tribal land Dollies are still a protected (endangered or listed) Specie? Seems weird to me and also the whole reason the ESA is such a worthless piece of legislation
Actually Dollies and Bull trout are two different fish. Also tribal regs are what counts(as has been pointed out before on this thread) and dollies are quite prolific. And we eat the hell out of these fish.The ESA deals with bull trout, you are allowed to keep Dollies in the Skagit and I believe at Baker Lake, both of which are controlled by the state. Also I disagree with the comment that the ESA is a worhtless piece of legislaton.Bob R
Mike Carey
8/7/2014 1:10:00 PM
It sure would be nice if guys would actually take a moment and look up the information first rather than question the person posting the report. It only takes a minute to do a little research.
Diamonddave
8/7/2014 10:21:00 PM
Agree totally Mike!
obryan214
8/8/2014 1:05:00 AM
nice and pretty dolly. the cutts in crescent are cresenti btw, a unique to that lake strain or subspecies or whatever. pretty fish to.
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Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service

Phone: (509) 687-0709