Devils Lake Trout

[Fish_Doc]

I just couldn't stand all this down time until May 22 so I hit Devils Lake here in Lincoln City and trolled for trout. A lot of action is to be had with 8-12" trout plentiful. My 5 yr old and I had a great time. (catch and release). We must have caught and released 10-12 nice rainbows within two hours. Just a lot of fun while waiting for the Spring and Summer runs to heat up. Lake trolls with wedding ring spinners laced with powerbait was the key. It was just one hook up after another.

Fish_Doc

[Smj]

Cool...And welcome to the board Fish_Doc! I had forgotten that there are OTHER fish (not salmon) out there too.



How's the bass, crappie, perch, bluegill etc. or whatever fishing in Devils Lake?

Smj

[Salmon Loser]

Did you add any weight to your rigs or fish close to the top. I will be over there in a couple weeks with my four year old and would love to get him into some trout.


SL

[Fish_Doc]

The bass population is picking up after being decimated by the grass carp years ago. If you fish the cover, there are decent bass to be found. Only adipose fin clipped rainbow trout can be kept, but they are plentiful this time of year as the lake has been stocked. There is a time in August when Coho can be taken on a fly or spinner at the D-River end of Devils lake as they come in from the ocean, FUN! All around a shallow lake, no more than 20 ft deep in any one spot.

[Fish_Doc]

Fish shallow, the fish are surfacing early in the morning and Devils Lake is no more than 20 ft deep at the deepest spot. Mostly 7-10 ft along the trolling areas, (50-100 yards off the shoreline). I just had the line about 25-30 ft behind the boat fairly shallow. But with an electric motor and a small boat they can't hear you coming. If you have a loud motor, most likely you would have to put out a lot more line.

[trollin4trout]

See pic at left: Try this needlefish with a split shot 3ft. up the line- that's all! Put it in the water next to the boat and watch it move. If it just flip-flops back and forth-speed up! When you get to the speed where it goes nuts / every which way-cast out 30-40ft. behind the boat and maintain that speed! Troll until you find a fish and then stay in that general area as long as they keep hitting. This color is so good there that we call it the "Devils Lake Special"! Good luck- Jim

***they will hit surprisingly close to the boat even in shallow water with a gas motor!

[Wilson]

Went out sat and monday trolled white rooster tails no weight. Cast out as far as you can and troll. Got limits both days in a couple hours great fun for my 5 year old.