Wallowa Lake Fishing Guide

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Last Updated: Monday, 05 August 2024 11:48

Fishing for Kokanee and Mackinaw is done one of two ways.  You can use a boat and troll very slowly or you can jig for them.  We usually have the latest news on how people are catching them with the most success. Come see us and we can fix you up with the right gear. The hottest time for Kokanee is around Mothers Day, and usually runs till mid-June but you can still catch them into July and early August.  It just gets a little tricky when the water warms up.  There are a couple different set ups people use for trolling - one way is the flasher set up and the other is using a single blade. Both methods utilize a variety of lures to hook up a fish. Maggots (carried in early season) and corn work very well for bait along with scent cover. 

Fishing for trout is usually excellent anywhere along the shorelines. Because most all of the west shore is private, accessing that area will require a boat or canoe, but some of the best trout fishing is on northwest shore, particularly if fishing with flys. A good spot to try is on the north end near the dam.  Another good place to park and access the shore is along the southeast side- you'll see a road there that ducks down and runs parallel to the highway on the lake side. Getting to the shore from there is short, but steep and slippery, not the best access for anyone but the fit.  It's a good spot with plenty of good sitting rocks and the trout fishing can be very good. The traditional spot is at the lake inlet and is always another safe bet. Power Bait, worms or eggs seem to do the best for trout. And for the people that like lure fishing, Rooster tails and Kastmaster's work very well.  If you want to bait fish, the traditional way for Powerbait is to put sinkers about 36"-42" up from the hook, cast out and the sinker hits the bottom and the Powerbait floats up as long as your leader is.  I have had the most luck fishing for trout this way.  People also use bobbers when using bait that sinks such as Pautzke eggs or worms.  Again, put the bobber about 25"-30" up from the hook. Bait up and let the fun begin!

Wallowa Lake is stocked with approximately 42,000 trout throughout the season including some 18"-20" 'Trophy Trout'

Check the 'Handy Links' on the left for more information.

Limits:

• 5 trout per day, per person - that includes rainbow trout and lake trout (Mackinaw) - Rainbow must be over 8" to keep and only one over 20" per day.
• 25 kokanee per day - no minimum length
• All bull trout are a protected species and must be released unharmed.