A question about lakes near Astoria.

[Damon]

I do a lot of fishing for bass and crappie on lakes from Lincoln City south to Coos Bay. I fish trout sometimes when I can't get anything else to bite. I have heard such good things about some of the lakes up near Astoria I want to give it a shot up there and was hoping for a hint or two. I love to bass fish but I'd really like to get into some decent crappie fishing. I've had a heck of a time this year finding many. I hear Cullaby and Sunset lakes can be good. Has anyone been there recently? [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[ol tuna skipper]

Coffenbury lake at Ft. Stevens State Park. a 50 acre trout lake 2 miles west of Warrenton. only 9 ft. deep at north end. Some yellow perch and brown bullhead. Trail all around the lake. Trophy stellhead are stocked for derbys'. Lots of rainbows. Great place for family fishing from the docks or bank. Small boats only under ten mph speed lilmit. very windy on the water.

Cullaby lake - 12 miles south of Astoria on 101. 220 acres from 6 to 12 ft. deep. Stocked with trout and has good sized crappie, bluegill, perch, brown bullheads and largemouth bass. 10 mph speed limit.

That should get you started. There are many lakes in the area. Might want to pick up a metzgers map or the Fishing in Oregon Book that I took this info from.

[Jennie@ifish]

Sunset Lake, by the Astoria Golf and Country Club, actually in Clatsop plains, or South of Warrenton a couple miles.
Take the turn to the golf course and keep going. Lots of night time catfishing, with a really neato campground right on the lake to do so. One of my favorite things to do with my kids. Build a fire and fish all night!
Great catfishing at Cullaby, and at Coffenbury too.
Still some steelhead left in Coffenbury right now.
Still also some planted trout left over from the big weekend.
Try Crab apple lake, behind coffenbury too, for bass.
I love the lakes around Astoria. I used to fish them daily.
If you have any detailed questions, fire away.
Oh, and don't forget Smith Lake, full of big bass... difficult access however. Best access is from the North side off the road.
J

[ 06-12-2001: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]

[Damon]

Thanks alot for all the info. already! This website is awesome! I fish nearly everyday I don't work so I think I should be a pretty decent contributor. Anyway, I really appreciate the info, a suggestion that I could really use would be which of the lakes would be my best shot for some decent sized crappie? [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[hawgcatcher]

If you like crappie, then Cullaby seems to have the fishing you would want. The only problem that I have with this lake is the amount of water skiers that I have run across in years past. Some excellant bass in the back water areas. Love to hit it with some top water rigs especially in the pads. A four pounder coming through and grabbing a plug or worm is fantastic.

My favorate lake though is Sunset. We try to camp there at lease twice a year. You need a boat to get to the ends. The Rv park was renting small ones. The north end has been good to me with a lot of up to four pound fish. The southern end is also good. Lost a big on (sure sure) where the water narrows on a surface plug. Lost the plug too. Half hour later, up it floated. Rudy the barber in Forest Grove has several over six mounted on the wall of his shop that came from Sunset.

Good luck and try to release some after a picture, so that others can catch them. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[Damon]

Just one more question. I've heard the two lakes (slusher & Rilea slough) at Camp Rilea can be good also. Anyone been there?

[Jennie@ifish]

They are good, but I don't know about access to Rilea anymore.
Anyone?
Seem to be very shallow though, expecially in low water years..
j