Scootney

[aaron42ash]

My friends and I take about 3 trips a year to various lakes to camp and fish for a weekend and we were thinking about hitting Scootney. We've never been there so I was hoping someone had some info for us. We're all about camping away from campgrounds... is there overnight parking available and bank/shore access?

We're also going to target smallies and walleye. I have looked in the reports and most referred to walleye or bluegill/perch. How is the smallmouth fishing here? Just looking for some topwater action when the spawn is on. I think we'll be ok targeting walleye, but does anyone have a suggestion (north/south) what parts of the lake to find the fish in May?

Any info is good info.. Thanks

[davidwat1]

My friends and I take about 3 trips a year to various lakes to camp and fish for a weekend and we were thinking about hitting Scootney. We've never been there so I was hoping someone had some info for us. We're all about camping away from campgrounds... is there overnight parking available and bank/shore access?

We're also going to target smallies and walleye. I have looked in the reports and most referred to walleye or bluegill/perch. How is the smallmouth fishing here? Just looking for some topwater action when the spawn is on. I think we'll be ok targeting walleye, but does anyone have a suggestion (north/south) what parts of the lake to find the fish in May?

Any info is good info.. Thanks

I've fished a few tournaments there and have fun fished there a few times as well.....be extremely careful this place is notorious for eating props and lower units, and I can personally attest to both! :(

As for the fishing it can be absolutely on fire in the spring time! there are very big largemouth, and a healthy supply of smallies as well. There is overnight camping, but if I remember correctly they don't have full hookups or anything like that.

All in all, if you haven't been there it's worth checking it out, it's a very unique body of water that's for sure, and lots of fishing options. I've never been there when it seemed overly crowded either which is always a plus!
Good luck!
Dave

[gpc]

Never been there always wanted too. Every year they do a walleye survey on some of the better walleye lakes. I know Scootney has been in the survey a few years. You might want to search the WDFW website for the survey info. Lots of ggod info in the survey reports. I have also heard about the dangerous water that davidwat1 is talking about, and for this reason they say Scootney is more of a jigging fishery rather than trolling for walleye. Let us know how you do

[aaron42ash]

hey thanks for the heads-up. I wonder if they make a contour map I could buy before we head out. Being a reservoir I'm sure water depth varies and there can be a few tricky spots. I will check that out before leaving and put up some posts on our success (or lack of). Thanks again,
-Aaron

[davidwat1]

Take a look at the Bing Maps 3d view or birds eye view for a good visual of what the lake actually looks like. From the boat launch there is a large basin, which has no real obstructions to worry about, and there are some very large weedy flats off to the left (south??) side, which can be loaded with smallie beds if you time it right, but at the top of the basin there is a canal that you go through, which feeds you out into the other sections of the reservoir. this is where you have to be very careful, not so much in the canal, but as you are coming out of them. The areas off to the left side have very large boulders that are just under the surface and there is absolutely nothing marking them. It's a very neat and unique body of water, it's definitely worth checking out, just be careful and familiarize yourself with the layout as much as you can before you boat it. I was only idling through when I hit that boulder and tore my skeg completely off and ripped one of the blades off my 4 blade stainless steel prop almost completely off. Had I stayed a few feet further to the right, I likely would have been just fine, as I'd been through there several times that day. Hope this helps a little.
Dave

[kevinb]

Sorry,the title fits and I'm piggy backing off this thread.

I have not fished here but planning on stopping by while passing through on an upcoming pike trip with the family.
Is there a resort here or just campgrounds? Any ideas on colors for jigs? Bottom bouncing?
Appreciate any info,just getting some ideas for a great family fishing trip.