Mud Lake and Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge

[warmwater]

Just curious if anyone has any tips for fishing Mud Lake or the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge ponds. There is an awful lot of water up there, lots of it look perfect for warmwater fish (bass and carp), and I'm sure Lake River has flooded into the area and supplied it with fish.
I've seen lots of carp at the Refuge but never caught anything there, same with Mud Lake.
Anyone want to share some info on those areas?

Thanks!

[catfishman89]

About 5 years ago i saw some HUGE channel cats caught at felida. 20 to 30 pounders. All dissappeared and the fishing went down hill. Used catch alot of crappie at vancouver lake and felida on lake river. That went bad to. Now its a popular carp hole.

[1955sunliner]

Many years ago (30+) I used to catch alot of bull heads and carp both in Mud Lake.

[UncleRichie]

Hi,
Its been a while since I have fished mud lake but the last time we found that it has filled in from erosion and is only about 3 or four feet deep at the depest spot wasen't much there the beavers have blocked the stream coming out so it doesen't flood back in like it used to at one time it was a very good place for big bass I belive it is all private around it now.
Richard

[warmwater]

There is public access, I checked with the county. Horrible parking though.

Thanks for the info everyone, sounds like a place I will check out again in the summer.
Nothing on the many ridgefield wildlife ponds?

[BassinJay]

there's definitely public access, but it'd be quite a haul with a aluminum boat of even a small pontoon, i've always wanted to hit this lake, but am never out in that area. let me know if you do any good! I'm thinking it would be a great lake for large-mouth. Last time i went there, it looked pretty prestine, and from what i could tell, it didn't look to only be 3-4 feet deep all around.

[bassnasty]

yea, it would be quite a hike with a boat or float tube. the bank axcess aint so hot.