Fish and Wildlife have posted the following announcement regarding Sockeye fishing.  Early morning quiet will return to the lake on Wed Morning as the Sockey Fishing season ends one hour after sunset on Tuesday.  It was fun, while it lasted…

Official Notice

Last sockeye of 2009, Monday morning, caught on the good ship Glastron,
apologies for the errant finger…

This is the second of two articles that we are re-publishing from the 2008 Sockeye Season:

CATCHING LAKE WENATCHEE SOCKEYE:

Let me confess to not being an expert on sockeye fishing. Like many of you, I participated in past openings on the lake and Lake Washington and have caught my share. Fishing gear and techniques are continually changing, so stay tuned with what others are saying. A good place to check on what to use to catch sockeye would be Hooked on Toys in Wenatchee or Dave Graybill’s fishing column in the Wenatchee World. .

The Givens:

1. You (if over 15) must have a valid fishing license with a salmon recording card. Those under 15 don’t need a license, but must have the recording card. Once you catch a sockeye you must stop and record that fish. The recording area is code 670 for Lake Wenatchee. For sockeye, the minimum size is 12 inches and the bag limit is 2 fish per day per angler. Only one rod per angler is allowed. No more than three barbless hooks may be used. No bait or scent may be attached to the hooks. Bull trout, steelhead, Chinook salmon and tagged sockeye must be released unharmed without removing the fish from the water. A night closure will be in effect. Legal angling hours are one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. Be sure to watch for any changes to the regulations prior to the opening.

1. Generally, best fishing is not at dawn, but starts around 7AM and lasts until around 10AM. After that, the sun and all the other gear in the water will likely slow the bite. But sockeye can and occasionally do bite all day, especially when the weather is overcast.

1. Don’t pass this on, but the big secret to catching sockeye is to troll at a very slow speed (approximately 1 mph).

1. The good anglers suggest starting in the morning at 50-60 feet and then drop 5 ft each half hour.

1. You need to use a medium weight salmon or steelhead rod with 15-20 test main line on your reel. Use a dodger (8”) check with Hooked on Toys for types; with a 3/0 bare red hook tied 13-16 inches behind the dodger. It is recommended to use 15-20 lb leader.

1. Downriggers are the most effective means of depth control, but an 8-oz weight 3 ft ahead of your dodger will almost do the same.

1. The more gear (dodgers) in the water the better. Leave your other gear in the water if you get a hookup. Knotless nets are required.

1. It is important to immediately take care of your fish after catching them. Bleed them by cutting a gill raker and put them on ice. Do not pull them along side of the boat on a stringer.

Bottom line: This is not a highly technical fishery and is great for beginners and kids. Be aware that Lake Wenatchee is very difficult to access given the limited public boat launches so plan accordingly. There will be enforcement officers present, so enjoy this great fishery and follow the rules. Good Luck!

Rollie Schmitten, retired

State of Washington Director of Fisheries

US National Director of Fisheries

Originally Published on Aug 5, 2008

With the 2009 Sockeye season a short 24 hours away, more or less.  We decided to republish the two best articles from last years season so you have to try and find them in the archive.

So if you are wondering, do I need to go spend a bunch of money to get outfitted to fish sockeye on Lake Wenatchee?

In 2001 and 2004 I used this down rigger kit and caught 15+ fish each season and toughened my hands significantly in the process.

1:  110 Feet of camp line marked every 10 feet with a Sharpie water proof pen wound on a stick. 

2:  A 10 pound ball, with a line release clip.  This rig allows you to claim exercise credits every time you have to haul the rig back into the boat.

3:  The only pricey item was a small electric trolling motor that I unceremoniously mount to a home made rig that is bungee corded to the swim ladder on our ski boat.  You need to be able to troll slowly.  You can use almost any boat.  I have seen everything from $50,000 aluminum jet boats to kayaks and canoes.  I am certainly not the only one to use a ski boat.  So if the the requirement is that go slow, and you don’t have a trolling motor what can you do?  In 2001 I didn’t have the trolling motor and so I just idled the ski boat, and slipped it in and out of gear every minute or so, not optimal but it worked.

4: You will want a net to land your prize sockeye with and a cooler with ice to keep it fresh and keep the fish slime out* of the ski boat.

5:  Almost any rod will do.

6:  A #0 or #1 Flasher, 20 pound leader to a bare red hook, black hook or pink hoochie.

The Big Question Number 1:  How Much Leader between the flasher and the hook?

I have had luck with 18 inches.  Opinions many vary.

The Big Question Number 2:  How deep to troll?

There will be plenty of boats out with fancy fish finders,  90% of the folks will tell you what they are seeing and what depth the are trolling.  The fish go deeper as the day progresses.  More flashers in the water increases the agitation of the fish, and thus the catch.  The Sockey aren’t eating, they are just snapping out of pre-spawning aggression.

Rules:

We will publish the fishery rules as we become aware of them.  Plan on a 2 fish per license per day limit.  Very likely barbless hooks (crush the barb to the hook shank with needle nose pliers).  Be careful to make sure you have a Sockeye and not a Bull Trout on the line before pulling it out of the water.  We will publish pictures and id hints.  As soon as a fish is landed YOU MUST record it on your catch card.

Knotless nets are required.  You can buy a net insert so you don’t need to buy a complete net.

There WILL be fish and game officers patrolling, they will check, please stay within the rules so we all can enjoy this unique opportunity again.

* Sockey skin begins to degrade once the fish leaves the salt water on their journey up the Columbia to the Lake.  The fish become very slimy.  Some of the fish will look pretty beat up, the meat will be fine.

First Published on July 27, 2008

July 29, 2009

Lake Wenatchee sockeye fishery to open Aug. 5

Action: Lake Wenatchee to open for sockeye salmon fishing.

Effective date/time: Aug. 5, 2009 (one hour before official sunrise) until harvestable fish numbers have been caught.

Species affected:   Sockeye salmon

Daily limit:   The daily limit per angler is two sockeye 12 inches in length or longer.

Location:   Lake Wenatchee (Chelan Co.).

Reason for action: The 2009 return of sockeye will be sufficient to provide for the Lake Wenatchee spawning escapement goal, and additional fish will be present to provide for sport fishing opportunity. While the sockeye run is relatively late throughout the Columbia River, a very robust Lake Wenatchee run is predicted.

Other information:   Single point barbless hooks required. No more than three hooks may be used. No bait or scent may be attached to the hooks. Knotless nets are required. A night closure will be in effect.  Legal angling hours are one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.  Bull trout, steelhead, and Chinook salmon must be released unharmed without removing the fish from the water.

Release sockeye with one or more holes (round, approximately 1/4″ in diameter) punched in the tail of the fish (caudal fin).  These fish are part of a study and have been anesthetized; the FDA requires a 21 day ban on consumption of these fish.

Information contact: Art Viola, (509) 665-3337 (Wenatchee District Office) (509) 662-0452, Jeff Korth (509) 754-4624.

WDFW FISHING RULE CHANGE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov <http://wdfw.wa.gov/>

We have received two independent reports that the 2009 Sockeye season will open on Wed 8-5,  this is still NOT an official opening announcement (stay tuned).  In the mean time get your license up to date.  Get a knot less net, check your tackle box and prepare by bidding this week on two Fire Dept #9 benefit items:

#1:  Day of guided sockeye fishing with Rollie Schmitten

#2:  A weekend of mooring on North Shore for your boat.

If you are interested in either of these items email your bids to Bill Miller or attend the benefit at Kahler Glen on Sat.

For first timers, to see prior postings on Sockeye Fishing on Lake Wenatchee select Fishing in the Categories on the lower right sidebar.

Current Bid is Now:  $75  4pm 7-29

As part of the Fire Dept Silent Benefit Auction this weekend at the Kahler Glen Athlectic Club, Director of Fisheries, and Lake Wenatchee fishing legend, Rollie Schmitten has donated his guide services to the lucky winner of this auction item.  You may submit your bid by emailing Bill Miller. In the spirit of fund raising we will try and provide updates as to the current bid during the week. Bids will also be accepted at the auction.

On a date to be agreed to, Rollie will provide boat, fishing gear, coffee and a light breakfast at dawn. Fish till noon and again in the late afternoon if limits have not been achieved. Fishing for two persons. All you need is a license and a catch card.

The sockeye are beginning to move over Tumwater dam very quickly.  I mentioned that there were 42 sockeye pass Tumwater dam last Mon.  I stopped again on Sat. and there were 471 by noon, and that number should reach over 1000 per day starting now.  The run size has been upped to just over 31,000.  There is now a high probability of a fishery.  When discussion how soon the fishery could begin, please remember that is determined by a hard number of fish having passed over Tumwater dam and this is speculative at this time, but it could be as soon as the end of the first week in August.  Please don’t take off from work or make reservations based on this preliminary information, but it is very positive news.  If it should open, the biologists are interested in examining the factors of why we have two back to back runs, and also the sockeye carrying capacity of the White River. This latter information will help more accurately determine the White River sockeye escapement goal for the future.

Rollie Schmitten

Admin:  To view prior posts on Lake Wenatchee Sockeye tips, tricks, photos etc.  click on Fishing in the Categories list on the right sidebar.  If you don’t have a license and a catch card you should put getting one on your to do list.

Second sockeye salmon update:  I met with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regional biologist and others from the department on Monday.  The sockeye update is very positive.  The predicted run size for the Lake Wenatchee stock is now projected at 30,000 fish.  This exceeds last years run that was predicted at 28,000 and came in at just under that number.  Recall that the department requires 23,000 for escapement before a fishery can be conducted.  So thing are looking up.  This would be the first time in my memory that we may have back to back seasons for sockeye.  But remember that these are just estimates and the final and real count is occurring at the Tumwater dam.  On Monday, the first sockeye arrived at the dam with 42 passing on that day.  If a season was to occur, it would likely be after the second week in August or a week or two later.  I will continue the updates on a more regular basis.
Rollie Schmitten

Admin:  To view prior posts on Lake Wenatchee Sockeye tips, tricks, photos etc.  click on Fishing in the Categories list on the right sidebar.  If you don’t have a license and a catch card you should put getting one on your to do list.Three dvdrip

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Paul and Mitchell Keller 2008 Sockey

I have had many people ask if I knew what the forecasts were for the Lake Wenatchee sockeye, Icicle spring Chinook, and steelhead runs.  While the run forecasts are very preliminary and will be updated when the runs pass the Bonneville Dan and later at Priest Rapids dam, where the final numbers are given, they still provide some anticipation.  The early forecast for Lake Wenatchee sockeye is for a run size of 20,000 fish.  We need 23,000 at a minimum to open, but that is within the error bars of the forecast.

The Icicle Spring Chinook fishery is open. The run is late, but forecasted to be very good with over 5000 fish expected at the Leavenworth hatchery.  I fished with 2 friends last Tue. and we caught 3 nice Chinook.  On Wed. they caught 6, so the bite is on.  Steelhead, we have the least information, but a normal run size is expected.  That should guarantee the Methow River to be open and sell as the Columbia River.

It is much too early to know about 2009 Lake Wenatchee Sockeye season, I will do another update when the fish pass Priest Rapid dam.
Rollie Schmitten

Admin:  Rollie is the Lake Wenatchee Info wildlife and fishing “editor”, a Lake Wenatchee resident, Rollie served as the Washington State Director of Fisheries. The federal (National Marine Fisheries Service) West Coast Regional Director, and as a US Whaling Commissioner before retiring full time to the lake.  For other articles written by Rollie selecting the Fishing Category on the right sidebar.

Photo courtsey of Brian Moran.

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Josh Kato caught this German Brown on a 7 wt fly rod on Fish Lake, 9-19.  28” 8 pounds.  We are working on Josh to supply us with a regular fishing column.