Devils Lake questions

[jfsfish2]

Anyone ever use flys at Devils Lake (Lincoln City)? What flys do you use there? I was thinking about using the area from the first park to the second park. I would appreciate any feedback. Going to the 24th of April. I have fished at the first and second parks on the dock using powerbait but I have a pontoon now and I use flys for other areas. Thanks.
Jim

[Dave Smith]

Originally Posted by jfsfish2

Anyone ever use flys at Devils Lake (Lincoln City)? What flys do you use there? I was thinking about using the area from the first park to the second park. I would appreciate any feedback. Going to the 24th of April. I have fished at the first and second parks on the dock using powerbait but I have a pontoon now and I use flys for other areas. Thanks.
Jim

Too bad you can't fish for the carp in there- that would be a blast- like tarpon! They are protected, though (long story). There are some nice bows and a FEW bass in there, plus the water is usually gin clear this time of year. I would think you could kick around dragging a wolley bugger or something and catch some nice fish??!!

[stillwater97]

hmm....

The regs say "Closed to take of Grass Carp"

Does that mean that

1. they can't be fished for
or
2. if caught must be released?


to me the word "take" implies killing the fish. Who would want to "take" one of those home for dinner?

A ruling from the Bench would be appreciated...

[jdeona]

Last time I checked w/ the regs, it just basically means you cannot purposely fish for the carps over there. If you accidentally hook one while fishing for trout, bass, etc..., just release them... They'd be a great fight though

[wheredafish]

Is the lake deep enough for my NR Seahawk or will the weeds foul my motor? It might be fun to go for a day and fish.

[john montana]

Kind of a weird rule, but you cannot intentionally target Grass Carp (white amur) in OR or WA. I've never been to Devil's Lake, but I'd bet there are common carp in there as well. I've caught one grass carp (in FL) and I don't think they fight nearly as well as Common Carp.

[JRV]

Originally Posted by wheredafish

Is the lake deep enough for my NR Seahawk or will the weeds foul my motor? It might be fun to go for a day and fish.

it's deep enough for people to have ski boats in.

[freespool]

Originally Posted by john montana

Kind of a weird rule, but you cannot intentionally target Grass Carp (white amur) in OR or WA. I've never been to Devil's Lake, but I'd bet there are common carp in there as well. I've caught one grass carp (in FL) and I don't think they fight nearly as well as Common Carp.

Devils Lake was almost unusable due to the invasive exotic species of water weed known as elodea. It nearly choked out the entire lake, then ODFW planted grass carp to control the weed problem.
They are protected for this reason.

[jfsfish2]

One time I was fishing on one of the docks fishing for trout. Two boys were fishing using bread. I asked them what were they fishing for? They said, big ones!! About that time there line went south!! Did fight too much. I asked one of the boys if they have 500 dollars right now. I think the fine is about 500. They landed the fish banging it around. I helped them get it back to the water. Well, I guess bread is a good bait!!

I'm going Thursday 24th. Will let you know what happens.

Going to Billy Chinook in the first part of May. Anyone fish that big lake? Lots of difference critters.

Thanks for the info from you folks.

Jim

[Dave Smith]

Originally Posted by freespool

Devils Lake was almost unusable due to the invasive exotic species of water weed known as elodea. It nearly choked out the entire lake, then ODFW planted grass carp to control the weed problem.
They are protected for this reason.

That's hilarious. When the weeds were there, the trout fishing was outstanding and the lake was a perfect rearing grounds for wild coho smolts. The warmwater fishing was some of the best in the state. Now the lake is devoid of all the "icky weeds" and taken over by carp at the request of the local jet skiers. There is no aquatic vegetation left in the lake which affects the oxygen level, too.

[freespool]

Originally Posted by Dave Smith

That's hilarious. When the weeds were there, the trout fishing was outstanding and the lake was a perfect rearing grounds for wild coho smolts. The warmwater fishing was some of the best in the state. Now the lake is devoid of all the "icky weeds" and taken over by carp at the request of the local jet skiers. There is no aquatic vegetation left in the lake which affects the oxygen level, too.

That's an interesting thought Dave, makes me wonder how the Oregon coast could support 2-3 million coho annually when none of the coastal lakes had warmwater species or elodea weed in them.

[Dave Smith]

Originally Posted by freespool

That's an interesting thought Dave, makes me wonder how the Oregon coast could support 2-3 million coho annually when none of the coastal lakes had warmwater species or elodea weed in them.

Because a lake isn't required to rear coho and the ones that did had milfoil in them

[freespool]

Originally Posted by Dave Smith

Because a lake isn't required to rear coho and the ones that did had milfoil in them

I think you might be incorrect, lake habitat is ideal for coho, historically Siltcoos, Tahkenitch, and Tenmile Lakes produced 1 million coho.

Here's what's happening with the coastal coho.

http://www.wrd.state.or.us/OPSW/coho...s-LF-mgmnt.pdf

[Dave Smith]

Originally Posted by freespool

I think you might be incorrect, lake habitat is ideal for coho, historically Siltcoos, Tahkenitch, and Tenmile Lakes produced 1 million coho.

I realize it's "ideal", especially when the rivers are at flood stage, but it's not "required" like you might say it is for sockeye. Just saying, that many of those coastal lakes reared great numbers of juvenile coho in the presence of aquatic vegetation and yes, even warmwater exotic species. I just think we should do all we can- why not have no grass carp AND no warmwater fish in Devils? For that matter, maybe even the trout stockings aren't helping- I wonder if people catch juvenile coho while trout fishing?

[dog501]

I have caught serveral coho while trout fishing Devils Lake. You can tell when you get one on because they will jump right off bat. When you get them to the boat and see the deep V tail you know you have a coho. they are usually around 10 to 16 inches. You also have to release them. The fish in Devils Lake has to be fin clip.

[freespool]

Originally Posted by Dave Smith

I realize it's "ideal", especially when the rivers are at flood stage, but it's not "required" like you might say it is for sockeye. Just saying, that many of those coastal lakes reared great numbers of juvenile coho in the presence of aquatic vegetation and yes, even warmwater exotic species. I just think we should do all we can- why not have no grass carp AND no warmwater fish in Devils? For that matter, maybe even the trout stockings aren't helping- I wonder if people catch juvenile coho while trout fishing?

Did you read my link? It spells out the limiting factors for poor coho survival.
Look at the three lakes population graph, notice in 1971 there is a spike in population, in 1968 Tenmile Lake was poisoned, that is the result of getting rid of the trash fish.

[Dave Smith]

Originally Posted by freespool

Did you read my link? It spells out the limiting factors for poor coho survival.
Look at the three lakes population graph, notice in 1971 there is a spike in population, in 1968 Tenmile Lake was poisoned, that is the result of getting rid of the trash fish.

"trash fish"- very classy

[freespool]

Originally Posted by Dave Smith

"trash fish"- very classy

That's what the locals called exotic invasive species.
The bottom line is the introduction of these weed and fish species has had a dramatic effect on the overall populations of these once prolific lake populations of coho.