Eastern Brook Trout Question

[Dullhook]

Knowing that there is a great deal of knowledge on this forum there's something I've wondered about for quite a while. Years ago we used to catch some really good sized brookies out of East and Big Lava lakes. East used to be famous for spotting and casting to big Brook Trout with flies like the Teeny Nymph off the cliffs in the Fall. They seem to have just about disappeared from both lakes. I don't think that either lake (not sure) has much or any successful spawning...so it's more a matter of the ODFW no longer stocking them.

I fish mostly for kokes these days but have always liked catching brookies. They're one of the most beautiful trout and are great in the frying pan too with their dark orange meat. When thinking of brookies it brings to mind cold, clean water like the high mountain lakes have. Brook Trout are much better predators than bows in helping control chubs, sticklefish, and other invasive species. I've caught some at Crane Prairie that have had chubs in their stomachs. It seems like it would be sensible to continue stocking them in both of these lakes which have had problems with unwanted scrap fish. Maybe it's a matter of economics or ...? There are other great lakes to catch brookies at but I was just curious about this.

Thanks for any input. Dh. :cheers:

[Brookiebuster]

I think its a matter of Oregon wanting to go green! Since brookies are a non native fish the ODFW just does not stock as many lakes as they used to anymore with them.
I to love the brook trout as they are great fun on an ultra lite.

Ever fish Elk Lake by MT Bacholer big brookies in there!

[Fishstik 1]

I was up at Clear Lake in the fall once, the water was very low and the brookies were concentrated down by the dam. I saw several 2 -3 pound spawners being yarded out like coho at Cedar creek. That lower creek I've walked with a small cane with a fly on it and pulled several 6 -8 inchers. Is it true that most lakes have no limit or size restrictions? Oh and there was that time at Timothy Lake when my son landed that 3 lb Brooky in the channel right at sunset. Grandma was there to snap a photo. I need to look for that pic it was a good one.

[Brookiebuster]

No limit in some lakes and rivers but not all. I know there is no limit on them in the lakes in the Three Sisters Wilderness area

[JD77]

A couple problems come with Brookies. First, as a Char they are able to spawn in lakes. This can create population problems and I've seen it lead to stunted fish (too many brookies). Makes it much harder on the biologists. I don't think they are more effective that Rainbows and Browns for controlling trash fish populations, and may be worse.

I saw (but did not catch) a monster brookie in Big Lava last year. A good 4-5 pounder that was hanging around the boat docks. They must have a few still around.

As you say them seem to do well in the higher elevation lakes and mountain, hike in lakes. There are still some big ones to target. Crane has trophies, Hosmer had trophies, Little Lava has a nice crop of decent size ones (15 inchers)

[newbergfishjunkie]

You are right JD. I've fished the wilderness lakes around Eagle Cap wilderness. The lakes are full of an out of controll brookie population. Small weak fish with big heads and no meat. The ratcoons are so full of fish their bellies are dragging on the ground.

[Dullhook]

Appreciate the input, guys. Looks like there are good reasons why they're not stocked in a lot of lakes anymore. I'll do my best to try to put a dent in their population this Summer. :wink:

[McSteelie]

Used to make the trip to Lower Welcome Lake and get some nice brook trout. One year we took a day hike from there up to Lake Lenore and it was chock full of 4 to 5 inch fish.

[retaliate]

Appreciate the input, guys. Looks like there are good reasons why they're not stocked in a lot of lakes anymore. I'll do my best to try to put a dent in their population this Summer. :wink:

Actually Brook Trout being in the Char Family, do better in Cold Water then most Trout, so they are primarily stocked in the High Lakes, where they do well, Rainbow Trout are know for their fighting ability, but don't do as well in the High lakes as Brook Trout, so the state primarly stock them in lower Lakes, & Rivers, I would guess the hard winter/heavy snow pack will have a heavy toll on all trout in the High lakes this year, & in some cases all the fish will be lost, so don't be surprised if a Lake seems empty of Fish this year, & with low Budgets it might take a few years before they stock them again, not trying to discourage you...just saying, Good Luck!

[retaliate]

Used to make the trip to Lower Welcome Lake and get some nice brook trout. One year we took a day hike from there up to Lake Lenore and it was chock full of 4 to 5 inch fish.


Last time I fished Lake Lenore it was chock full of 8" to 10" brookies, Welcome Lake was good also, heck all the Lakes were good in the Wilderness, we spent a week Backpacking it was a blast. :meme:

[Jetridinfool]

Bench lake up on mt adams... tons of brook trout. Never caught/ saw/ heard of anything w/ size, caught dozens on any small fly I could throw at em.

[hookjawfreak]

I would say that Crane Prairie is the best brook trout fishery around. Over the last 6-7 years My buddies and I have landed several fish over 5 lbs and my personal best was a fish that went over 6 1/2 lb. They respond well to 1/4 oz Kastmasters jigged in the Cultus Channel. Use gold patterns that immitate the sticklebacks. Now would be the best time to hit Crane with the water temps in the mid 50's. The fish should be active and all over the lake. Water levels are great. I will be there on Thusrday hoping for my 8 lb brookie. The state record (9 1/2 lbs!) was caught out of the Deschutes above Crane, but you know that fish spent most of it's life in the lake. I have sighted several fish that would go 8 lbs or more. Another great way to fish Crane is to troll small jointed plugs (floaters) in the channels. People look at you like your weird until they watch you land a couple nice trout right before their eyes.

East Lake still has a few self sustaining brookies, but good luck getting one. It broke my heart when they quit stocking them in the 90's.

Here's a 5+lb brookie I caught while fishing alone at Crane. Not the best pic but...

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/5_brook.jpg

[kill2hunt]

i too have caught some really nice brooks out of craine with kastmasters and panther martins, i usually fish up out of the channels near timber in the evening, that last hour can be crazy. i have caught some big fish out of marion too, might be surprised to see whats in there. but my favorites are a few high counrty lakes that are full of big brooks that go anywhere from 2-6 # brook trout have always been my favorite trout to fish for, they are in my opinion the prettiest tastiest and are the most aggresive fish around!