Devil's Lake

[Gillfish3]

I am looking for a new place to fish, getting bored with Hagg all the time. I keep hearing about Devil's lake but having never fished it I am not sure where to start. What are the common methods used.

Any pointers would be great.

George:D

[ploftis]

it's a real good lake. i always started by the blue heron and trolled the two upper arms w/ford fender and wedding rings. always caught lots of trout. also has some big bass

[Willis]

I like to hit the east shore of the lake there is a old house that is falling into the lake it is as deep as the lake gets around there 17 ft or so. also of of sandpoint has done well for me.

launch at east devils lake park or regatta park I like east devils lake the best nice deep ramp dock and lots of parking.

I have trolled small lake trolls with 1/4 oz weight with a 18 in leader to a tripple hook with powerbait on it with the best results, wedding rings got out performed 3 to 1 when doing this. I would put it back 6 to 8 pulls and troll it at 1mph or so. be carefull it does get shallow quik sometimes.

I know of a few guys the will also run a spinner on the surface or a dry fly seems to get some bigger fish.

Its a fun lake with great parks for the family to fish and play at while you are out It also has a fishing derby fathers day weekend every year 5 bucks to enter and some good cash prizes for kids and adults that win. You could also camp at the state park in the center of town I think they have a boat dock u can tie up to.

I would say its well worth the drive.:twocents:

[trollin4trout]

Actually if I hadn't committed last week to have you ride along- I would have put my boat right back on the trailer after I saw the water at Haag and drove to Devil's Lake! One of my favorite fall and spring lakes to fish.

The holdovers are impressive to catch. The lake has lots of varied fish holding areas and is big enough to keep from getting bored going round in circles. The occassional native cutthroat or small coho add to the fun.(these must be released-only fin-clipped fish can be kept)

I always troll a Needlefish or other small spoon with one split 3-4ft. up the line at Devil's. I try and let it out WAY behind the boat, since it's usually pretty clear and shallow- the fish must be moving away from the boat as it goes over them and this gives them time to swing back in behind us to see the lure going by. With water only 5-10 most of the time and light rods this works well for the whole shoreline. I troll all the points and docks and small coves (I do like that old house area also) Both ends of the lake are productive spots.

The northeast "arm" is the only place which is consistently dead -for me at least. The first few times at the lake, I trolled the whole shoreline around that arm- with not a fish. I've since ventured there only partially- just to make sure- nothing again. What's up with that area?:shrug: I barely get in there anymore- just cut across the front of it and keep on going!!!

It's getting stocked next week so it should be easy to catch the stockers. for awhile. Definitely go there George!

I too use the north ramp. Sometimes the Regatta ramp is full of sand. Just before you enter Lincoln City with the lake on your left- turn left at the first signal after the lake. Go past the Blue Heron Moorage about a half mile- you'll go down into a steep little gulley and sharp left turn- at the top and another block or so-the small road to the ramp is on the left and is NOT marked or signed at all. I think it says something about a bicycle path or something there- that's the only clue to turn.

Good Luck! Jim

[Mark Smith]

Don't forget, clipped fish only. Can't keep natives.

[Gillfish3]

Thanks guys,
I think I will give it a try this weekend (Sunday). I will post a report when I get back.

Also, went to Hagg this morning for about 4 hours. Not a single take. Man, I think there is more crap in the water now than last Saturday.

George

[Willis]

That arm has never produced for me at all also the south end towards the beach has never done that well for me.

The launch you are speaking of is holmes road park It has a nice dock but a steep ramp and sometimes sandy ramp and if you are launching alone it can be a pain. I like it to pull up and use the bathroom, Also regatta can get really busy and I try to avoid it at all costs. even if you launch at holmes road go check out the east devils lake ramp.

Remember that it may be a bit slow right now due to the stocking not being done till next week but I have caught several large holdovers.

And on the non clipped fish yes they do exist I caught a 12lb coho on a certian part of the lake I will not say due to not wanting them targeted, My friends and I tracked down the stream in the coast range that they enter into through the lake and spawn in, it was a sight to see something I will never forget bright red coho doing there thing with trout and steellies nearby I think alot of people think it is a myth but I would say probly 3-6 hundred fish must enter the system.

I will be down at the lake the 13th-17th

[Half fast Toyn]

Fishing it today....SLOW.....

[Gillfish3]

Went this morning, got 3 coho about 18" and one native cut. Did see a 19" hold over rainbow caught off sand point. All on needle fish.

I was pretty disappointed in the way the coho faught. I thought I had a stick on the end of the line until it got close to the boat. I have caught paper bags that fight better than that. But it beat mowing the lawn...LOL

George.

[trollin4trout]

Thanks for the report George. Nice job on the nice sized cohos- wouldn't have thought there would be such a thing as a sluggish coho!!!! I'm going down next Saturday to harass them with Needlefish.

[Willis]

Thanks for the report, was the lake crowded? looks like I will be down sat too trollin4trout im sure we will see eachother out there.

[Gillfish3]

We saw 4 or 5 other boats on the lake all day. 3 of which were bass fishing.