Hike-In Lakes

[FlieFreak]

Now that fall is coming it is time for me to strap a tube on my back and head in to some high mountain lakes. I want to hear some favorites from people. Preferably up the mckenzie, santiam area or waldo hwy 58 area.

[Brookiebuster]

Santiam---- Square lake--Park at Pacific Crest Trail head across from Hoodoo----1 1/2 to 2 miles in----Brook trout

McKenzie---Linton Lake on old mckenzie hwy---Park at alder springs campground trail head across hwy----1 to 1 1/2 miles in----Brook trout, GERMAN BROWNS

Hwy 58---Charlton lake----North end of Waldo road turns left trail head about 1/4 mile down rough road. 100 yards to lake----Brook Trout

[Steelie28]

Marion Lake up off the N. Santiam is a cool place.

[Bad Drift]

Hey Brookie - Would you recommend the Square Lake hike for a family with smaller kids (ages 7 through 11)? My 11 year old is just getting started with FF and a lake with a few brookies may be a lot of fun for him. Is the trail well marked from parking to lake? Thanks for any info you can provide!




Santiam---- Square lake--Park at Pacific Crest Trail head across from Hoodoo----1 1/2 to 2 miles in----Brook trout

McKenzie---Linton Lake on old mckenzie hwy---Park at alder springs campground trail head across hwy----1 to 1 1/2 miles in----Brook trout, GERMAN BROWNS

Hwy 58---Charlton lake----North end of Waldo road turns left trail head about 1/4 mile down rough road. 100 yards to lake----Brook Trout

[Brookiebuster]

Trails very well marked, Go up the PCT 1/4 and hang right at the trail junction and follow the trail in 1 to 1 1/2 miles. should see the lake at the top of the hill and nice easy walk for kids of that age.

[FlieFreak]

Thanks for the info brookie. I have been in to Linton. Can catch some nice browns out of there. they also have a small population of rainbows. Try the Erma Belles. There are three erma belle lakes up the trail. try the middle one (the scond one you come to) decent size fish, and you will catch fish all day long. Nice easy hike about 1-1/4 miles in not too many hills to climb.

[SouthSantiamSlayer]

I've hiked into Heart lake and Marion lake.
Heart lake was quite a little hike, but I heard theres two trails into it, and we took the hard one. The fishing was good at heart lake. Lots of cutts and
brooks avg 10"-12".
Marion, the weather was rough... waves were about 2-3ft tall so my float tube was gettin blown all over the place. It was an easy hike, but the fishing, for me, sucked.

[TTFishon]

How far are you willing to hike? My favorite hike in lake is about a 7 mile hike. I caught a 17 inch brookie a couple of years ago and last year I was there for three days and caught rainbows and an occasional brookie every day there all ranging in size from ten to 18 inches. I don't want to give up this lake to everyone so if you are willing to hike 7 miles for some great fishing then let me know. By the way, I released most of the fish I caught so they are a bit wiser and a bit bigger.

[uhmw]

pamelia has stunning vistas and quite a veiw of jefferson. I fished it in the spring from a pack raft and caught all the cuts we could eat. they tend to be in the 12" range and are very tasty. Fish at the inlet you cant really see it but you can hear it. You need to make reservations for pamila at the ranger station. I hiked and fished marion and the fish were large and plentifull anyone who had a floatable had a fat stringer of fish in the 18" range. A pack raft makes all the differance. fish the bottem with dreger sparkabuggers in green and black with trailing copper johns or your favroit bead head nymph.

[Skunked]

Thanks for the info brookie. I have been in to Linton. Can catch some nice browns out of there. they also have a small population of rainbows. Try the Erma Belles. There are three erma belle lakes up the trail. try the middle one (the scond one you come to) decent size fish, and you will catch fish all day long. Nice easy hike about 1-1/4 miles in not too many hills to climb.

I will be making a trip to the erma belles in a few weeks, I heard there was some damage to the bridges along the trail from skookum, does anyone know the current trail conditions?

[FlieFreak]

I will be making a trip to the erma belles in a few weeks, I heard there was some damage to the bridges along the trail from skookum, does anyone know the current trail conditions?


I heard that as well. I am not sure if you have been there or not, but the creek is not that big and especially this time of year, so i am sure you can cross. I heard it was the bridge going up from the first lake to the middle one.