Someone is die hard. I passed a boat heading for the reservoir as I was heading to town. The roads are covered in snow. My hats off to whomever you are. You are an inspiration.

 

Too cold for me 🥶

 

The fishing does not get exciting until June. It won’t stop me from going several times, but now that I know what I know about the reservoir I’ll probably be spending more time at Billy Chinook stocking up on Kokanee and figuring out how to catch Bull Trout.

 

What do you know that is having you look to fishing a different body of water?

 

I’m primarily after crappie. I’ve found them deep and it’s cold. Pretty much kills anything you reel up. I’m not after a bunch of small crappie and that’s all I have found during the winter months. I’ll go out and get dinner several times this winter but I’ll be skipping some opportunities and heading elsewhere. Come May-June, the water is warmer, the crappie are up top and catch and release is not an issue.

And, I’ve been trying to get on Billy Chinook to try my hand at Bull Trout. Have only caught one so far and it was by accident.

 

Tomorrow mornings weather is a good window for a few hours. I’m not sure where the ice or muddy water has gotten to though.

Being my last day off before I return to work, I might drive by the state park to take a look but I won’t be fishing it.

Anyone been out in the last week?

 

36 degrees out but no wind. 3 trailers in the lot this morning. Good luck.

For those wondering why I won’t be fishing it hard until June…

This is ice.

This will be the water clarity until June.

And odds are this will be the condition of the dock until the water stabilizes.

So I’ll hit it a few times from the bank and maybe launch the boat if it clears up. Mid May I’ll start getting excited again.

And yes, all photos were taken today.

 

Crappie are tough in the winter. You won't kill them if you do happen to catch them and bring them in. Folks ice fish for crappie all the time and they release just fine.

 

The one I reeled up a few days ago from 40’ down would beg to differ. It tasted great. I had to track it down when I saw him floating while casting for more.

From personal experience on Prineville Reservoir, 10’ or less and they would be ok. But 30’+, they generally do not survive. Maybe I’m just not lucky. Who knows.

 

It's barotrauma from the pressure change from bringing them up from deep water. Happens in the summer also. The swim bladder extends pushing the stomach out of the mouth. Eyes can pop out also. I can get most of them to go back down but I'm not sure if they survive. I hold the fish up high by the tail and drop them straight down. If they hit right it pushes the stomach back in and you'll see them expel bubbles and they can then swim down. Sometimes it takes 5 or 6 attempts to get them to go down. If that doesn't work slapping them down on the water makes them take off like a rocket. Not slamming them down but more forceful than a drop. When it doesn't work you'll see them floating near the boat. Then they get filleted ,small or not or used for catfish bait if I need some.

 

Need a separate rod and releaser like they use on the ocean.
I was going to go today but pulled my batteries and moved them inside instead.

 

I was going to go today but pulled my batteries and moved them inside instead.

That’s sad. A couple more days of wet weather, then it’s just going to be cold. Give Prineville a week and it will clear up. Billy Chinook should be good to go. Don’t hang it up for the winter yet.

 

Here’s a simple descender anyone can make. Consists of a piece of stainless wire and a cannon ball sinker of whatever size works. Wire goes through the lip of the fish and the sinker pulls it down. To release the fish, just tighten the line and reel in.

 

Dang 50 degrees tomorrow and little wind.

 

Better get those batteries back to where they belong. Hahaha

 

Kayak will be splashed if that weather comes true. I’m ready for a fresh fish fry and sun

 

Any idea if they are going to open the Powderhouse ramp. The lake level is 4ft above the minimum level for that ramp to be operational.

 

I think they leave it locked up all winter.

I’ll probably head down to the state park today to check the water. If I see anyone around, I’ll ask about Powder House.

 

I called a couple years ago to the state park and asked them to open the powderhouse ramp Its worth other people calling. You prob won't have the dock, and tell them you dont need the dock, just want to be able to launch there. The gentleman I spoke with agreed at that time to open it.

 

Filling nicely, as of today the numbers are 1900+ in and 1500+ out and sitting at 64% capacity, the river is flowing good at the Y, will be another spectacular year of fishing........

 

Can’t see any ice but the wind riffle might have been hiding it.

Water is flat mud.

But, they fixed the dock.

Wind and weather would be great to fish it, but it’s way too off color for me.

Good luck to anyone that gives it a shot.

 

8” of visibility at the beach. And maybe 5” at the county boat launch. And looked chocolate towards the dam from there. Muddy or not. I will paddle tomorrow.

 

The fish are out there. Take lots of photos to add to your report tomorrow.

Good luck.

 

Oh and no ice at ss beach. But lots of little sticks washing ashore

 

gettin antsy

 

Don’t forget to pick up a few thin spins. Early season last year they produced.

Between Amazon and Ace hardware, I’ve kept my stock of Crappie Magnet grubs up.

 

Splashed the kayak at the county launch this morning. Rowed through a little ice at the launch. Could barely see my paddle under the water. Clarity was horrible. Tried jigging, trolling and free drifting. Even drug a whole worm hoping for any bite. No such luck. Loaded up and went trout fishing. Upper reservoir is ice free and has better clarity. 2 hours not a sniff. Chalk that up as a skunk. But atleast the sun is shining

 

Water is much better on the south side rock coves, past the big island. 2-3 feet

 

I was planning on working that way. But my shoulder had other plans. Looks like today was the day to fish. Cold but the sun has been shining all morning. Almost to 40 degrees and light wind.

 

Solid ice to the lower end of the beach. 1/2” thick on the bank. Found a little open spot to fish but nothing willing to play. Water clarity is cleaning up. Guessing the trout are deep now too. Patches of ice to the state park and a big chunk in front of the county launch. With the cold stretch coming might not have any launches. Is it March yet. Lol

 

I was thinking of getting the boat wet tomorrow. Guess I’ll sleep instead. After my first full week back to work, sleep is sounding like a great option. I’m beat.