I hit Cle Elum today to try my hand at Mackinaw for the first time in 38 years... I didn't anticipate much success since I'm completely new to that fishery.

The day started beautifully. Very light traffic on the boat launch, clear skies, no wind. I don't know anything about the lake so I started trolling south on the east side from Wish Poosh. I tried trolling some of the plugs we used in Montana back in the day, with no luck. The bottom of the lake claimed one crankbait when I encountered a submerged point.

The first three fish came in pretty much the same circumstances. I was trolling very near the bottom in 60-75' of water. I'd run into shallower water, and the lure would start chattering along the bottom. Bringing the downrigger up just a couple of feet to clear the bottom would result in a strike. It seems like the rule in shallower water was "If you ain't bumpin' bottom, you ain't fishin'."

It seemed to me that the size of the fish corresponded to the depth of the water, so after catching three lakers, I swung out into the center of the lake, planning on trolling back to the boat launch. The downriggers were both maxed out, and I still wasn't close to the bottom, especially since the balls were a little small for the depth and boat speed. Still, there was a 30" laker suspended conveniently close to my spoon, and he obliged. A few minutes later, I landed my first ever brown trout, which surprised me given that I was trolling in over 200' of water.

All five fish hit the same rig on the same rod - a 3.5" blue/silver spoon with a chrome back and a fish pattern printed on the front. It probably made a nice proxy for a Kokanee smolt. I went 5:5, with every biter ending up in the net. Swapping out factory hooks for Gamakatsu Big River Bait hooks is my normal MO, and they didn't disappoint.

Anyway, for my first foray into Cle Elum Lake and my first laker trip in nearly four decades, I really couldn't be much happier. I just need to remember that lakers have impressive teeth, and the human thumb is fragile enough to require due care in the handling of these fish, even when they've already expired.

I did have one problem with my boat today. It's a problem I see quite a bit, actually. Too many empty seats. If you're able to help me fix that issue, please drop me a comment.

Larry3215

7/1/2019 6:51:40 PM

Thanks for the report! My bros and I are heading up there for the first time this wed. We have only fished for lakers one time at Chelan, so we are pretty new at this too. Hope we have as good a luck as you!

MoonValley

7/1/2019 10:38:20 PM

I just finished revamping my downriggers, with longer lines and heavier weights so I can get close to the bottom in deeper water. I think staying close to the mud is the answer there.

[email protected]

7/2/2019 7:51:25 AM

Is it safe to assume that without a downrigger, trolling here is not going to be productive?

MoonValley

7/2/2019 10:25:45 AM

The area where I caught the first three fish was 60+ feet, which you could reach with a weight on a slider, the way most of the guides fish places like Drano Lake and Hanford Reach for Chinook. Use a fairly heavy rod, about 10-12 ounces of lead on a slider, and let out enough line to let that get low.

Or you could jig for them in whatever depth of water. A jig head with a curly tailed grub or even a jigging spoon might be really effective. I may try that - Just drop it to the bottom and jig.

I run a white 18' Weldcraft Angler open sled, so if you ever see me over there, you're welcome to come along.

Larry3215

7/2/2019 3:09:58 PM

Our downriggers both need new line, so we are going to try jigging mainly. We are really hoping for some burbot......

Larry3215

7/2/2019 3:11:59 PM

Oh - we watched a really cool video about jigging for lakers and burbot in Cle Elum lake too, which helped us decide not to take the downriggers :)

MoonValley

7/2/2019 3:45:53 PM

Can you share the link to the video?

alfafish

7/4/2019 8:19:57 AM

I assume he is talking about the one with Brad Hole in it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOfOCsN9p5I

Kevin

RyanRuss

5/28/2020 4:38:19 PM

I can probably help solve the too many empty seats problem!

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