Haven't contributed anything to this board before though I've really learned alot from all of you that do. Recently went to a lake that was new to me and not finding much information on the board thought I would try to contribute something.

My brother noticed the sign to Lake Kachess going over Snoqualmie Pass and got some information about it from the forest service. He convinced me we should haul my boat up there and try fishing for the Kokanee.

The regs say that the limit is 16 kokanee with no minimum size and they don't count towards the 2 trout limit (12 inch minimum size). The rules can be found in the Eastside Lakes- Special Rules Section.

Went on a weekday which was good as the Gale Creek campground host says that during nice weather the jet skiers and water skiers fill the north end of the Lake on the weekend. The Lake is only an hour's drive by I-90 from Seattle.

The water is really high right now and Little Lake Kachess is connected to the main lake by a shallow passage about 15 feet deep and you can either use the two lane concrete launch at Gale Creek or the single lane launch on the little lake. When the water is dropped in July the two become separate lakes. The main launch wasn't that busy with only a couple of trailers in the parking lot.

There's a $5 launch fee for use of the ramps obtained from the ranger at the compground entrance or if you camp there it is included in the $14 per night camping fee.

We caught 9 fish total between the two of us, 8 kokanee and one 13 inch trout. We both used pop gear with double whammys (wedding rings) and either worms or shoepeg corn. Suprisingly, the trout was caught by my brother using the corn. We did the best when we used the electric motor and went really slow close to the shore opposite the main launch.

Though we didn't try to catch them, in the deeper parts of the lake (200 ft plus) marked many large fish suspended at about 80 to 110 feet. Don't know what they were, probably large trout maybe lakers or maybe Dolly Varden.

While didn't do all that well ourselves, we did talk to others at the ramp and on the water who had been out the week before and limited. Most were using corn and trolling early in the morning.

Really liked the lake as it was relatively uncrowded and surrounded by forest. The only drawback that I thought it had was the EA-6B Prowlers that came screaming down the Lake at about 200 feet. The campground host said that they were practicing their radar avoidance and typically 1 or 2 came through around noon. For those that like military planes like my brother, their twisting and turning down the valley was an added bonus.

Ben,

Nice report, exactly what these boards are for.
Thanks from all of us.

Hey nice report!

What I've noticed at Deep Lake for kokanee, is that they suspend themselves at a certain depth and usually stick it out there for the whole day. I wonder if thats what you were marking?

Thanks! I saw the sign for that lake on the way to Potholes, sounds fun!

Their are also Burbot (freshwater lings) in the lake. I have never seen one but talked to a old time years ago that fished for them with a trot line with smolts on the hooks. He said to put the line across a small deep bay and leave it over night. The burbot would school up and push the small baitfish into the bay and have dinner. I have only fished the far end from the camp grounds their are a lot of primitive camp sites. Now for the top secret tip. As the lake lowers and the water is no longer spilling over the spillway. This usually happens in later july or august. You will have to walk in to get to the dam walk all the way to the spillway and look down. You will see a big pool. Their is still enough water flowing thru to supply water to the river and lake easton. Anyway back to the big pool on the left side you can walk down the fence to the bottom. But on your favorite bait or flatfish and cast it out. Last time I was their IT was loaded with 14 to 20 inch trout all nice big rainbows. After a little fishing the trout will spook some. I usually walk down and fish the stream. Now the warning dont wear shorts you want long pants and a long sleave shirt. Dont set anything on the ground that you will have to touch the poision oak . I learned that one first hand or should I say hands . It only burned for 5 or 6 hours. I found this spot totally by luck just messin around. To get their take exit 70 off I-90. Cross back over highway then turn left follow to the dam dam road(kachees damn road). turn right You will see a yellow gate that is the access to the dam . I usally keep following the road up till you see the lake and camp along the lake. You will have to do a little exploring but if the lake is low enough you can drive the shore around the lake.

Ben - great report. Thanks. I've driven the pass a 100 times and wonder every time what kind of fishing there might be in that lake. Its only a short trip from Seattle so will have to give it a shot.

Nice report ben.

Nice report! How big were the Kokanee?

Not very big, they were about 9 inches. I don't know if they will get any bigger on this lake as I noticed two of the females had already started to grow small egg sacs.