Odell Lake

foxer · 12-18-2009, 10:54 PM

The wife and I checked out a newer "resort" there last summer and were impreessed. Closer than Diamond and seemed just as nice. Whats the 411 on the fishing there? I know they have Kokanee and Lakers, anything else?. Are downriggers really needed? Thinking ahead for next year.

Brookiebuster · 12-19-2009, 04:33 AM

Odell also has rainbows, but they are seldom targeted as most everyone targets the kokes and lakers. It also has bull trout but they must be released if caught.

As for the downriggers they can sure come in handy for the lakers.
beats dragging 6 to 8 ounces of lead to get down to them at times.

Crabby2004 · 12-19-2009, 07:33 PM

Fished Odell for the last two years. 4 of us have the oportunity to share a cabin on the lake. We have been going the end of May.This year we were able to cast to rising Kokanee. We used Pink and white Gibbs Minnows. It was one heck of a lot of fun when they are on the surface like that. Otherwise it can be a straight up and down jigging or a downrigger show. Good luck and if you are there the last week of May we can fish near each other. If interested get in touch.

HiTide · 12-19-2009, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crabby2004

Fished Odell for the last two years. 4 of us have the oportunity to share a cabin on the lake. We have been going the end of May.This year we were able to cast to rising Kokanee. We used Pink and white Gibbs Minnows. It was one heck of a lot of fun when they are on the surface like that. Otherwise it can be a straight up and down jigging or a downrigger show. Good luck and if you are there the last week of May we can fish near each other. If interested get in touch.

Done that, too. For over 30 yrs. Besides jigging, kokanee, can be caught trolling and, except for very early, its usually best to have a downrigger. Besides the macks, rainbows are very underfished here and there are some nice ones. Kokanee fishing is best from late May to mid July most yrs. also can turn on in early Sept.

Basshound · 12-20-2009, 06:00 AM

Its a great fishery. And if its slow jump over to crescent. The rainbows at odell are BIG due to no pressure.

smalldog · 12-20-2009, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basshound

Its a great fishery. And if its slow jump over to crescent. The rainbows at odell are BIG due to no pressure.

What do you use to target rainbows?

HiTide · 12-20-2009, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smalldog

What do you use to target rainbows?

Best rainbow fishing is usually in the shoal areas. The lodge store has contour maps of the lake & can show you where the shoals are. Low am or pm daylight is best in these shallow locations. If you troll, put your gear at least 100 ft. behind the boat. I do best in about 10 ft. Also, it is often productive to drift or anchor and cast spinners. My best results are with panther martins & rooster tails. And you can anchor & drop standard trout baits.

HiTide · 12-20-2009, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxer

The wife and I checked out a newer "resort" there last summer and were impreessed. Closer than Diamond and seemed just as nice. Whats the 411 on the fishing there? I know they have Kokanee and Lakers, anything else?. Are downriggers really needed? Thinking ahead for next year.

"Thinking ahead for next year." How about the year after. The lodge gets booked up a year or more in advance for the cabins and the best camp sites. Often people book as much as two years ahead. Its almost like a time share. You can call & ask to be put on the list to take cancellations if you don't care when you go...and hope they ever get back to you. There is a motel up the road at Crescent Junction and several in Oakridge.