Sammamish, cliff notes for dummies please

[h20hunter]

Coming from Lale Stevens which launch would you suggest.  I'd like to maybe head that way soon....  @Dan-o and give it a shot for kokes, cutts, and maybe if I had good intel some crappie. Online I see I have options but have never fished it. Suggestions and advice welcome.

[jackelope]

Pretty sure there's only one public boat launch on Sammamish

[Mfowl]

Launch at the State Park ramp if its open. If not, Vasa Park off W Lk Samm Pkwy. Fish cutts around the weather station mid lake or even in front of Issaquah Creek. Crappies in the sunken forest. Do not run you boat through the sunken forest at high speed! Its mid lake on the S side. Fish bass and perch virtually anywhere along the docks. "The Thing" (underwater pipeline) runs from Timberlane Park to Vasa Park on the S side. N end of the lake has lily pads and pilings. Everything in the lake should be feasting on salmon smolts right now, matching the hatch will get you bit.

[stlusn30-06]

Launch at the State Park ramp if its open. If not, Vasa Park off W Lk Samm Pkwy. Fish cutts around the weather station mid lake or even in front of Issaquah Creek. Crappies in the sunken forest. Do not run you boat through the sunken forest at high speed! Its mid lake on the S side. Fish bass and perch virtually anywhere along the docks. "The Thing" (underwater pipeline) runs from Timberlane Park to Vasa Park on the S side. N end of the lake has lily pads and pilings. Everything in the lake should be feasting on salmon smolts right now, matching the hatch will get you bit.

 

[Buckmark]

Launch at the State Park ramp if its open. If not, Vasa Park off W Lk Samm Pkwy. Fish cutts around the weather station mid lake or even in front of Issaquah Creek. Crappies in the sunken forest. Do not run you boat through the sunken forest at high speed! Its mid lake on the S side. Fish bass and perch virtually anywhere along the docks. "The Thing" (underwater pipeline) runs from Timberlane Park to Vasa Park on the S side. N end of the lake has lily pads and pilings. Everything in the lake should be feasting on salmon smolts right now, matching the hatch will get you bit.

 

Everything mfoul said is spot on, do heed his advise about bombing thru the sunken forest, also for cutts trolling in front of Alexanders resort is a good bet (yes im that old, remember watching the drag boat races there), its now homes but it is basically directly across from Issaquah creek. Used to fish for bass on the North end in the pads just up from the ski jump.. (gone also) 

[h20hunter]

 

[Mfowl]

Launch at the State Park ramp if its open. If not, Vasa Park off W Lk Samm Pkwy. Fish cutts around the weather station mid lake or even in front of Issaquah Creek. Crappies in the sunken forest. Do not run you boat through the sunken forest at high speed! Its mid lake on the S side. Fish bass and perch virtually anywhere along the docks. "The Thing" (underwater pipeline) runs from Timberlane Park to Vasa Park on the S side. N end of the lake has lily pads and pilings. Everything in the lake should be feasting on salmon smolts right now, matching the hatch will get you bit.

 

Everything mfoul said is spot on, do heed his advise about bombing thru the sunken forest, also for cutts trolling in front of Alexanders resort is a good bet (yes im that old, remember watching the drag boat races there), its now homes but it is basically directly across from Issaquah creek. Used to fish for bass on the North end in the pads just up from the ski jump.. (gone also) 

Ahhh the good ol days! I remember the ski jump in front of Camp Sambica along the thing! Somewhere I have some old pics of a stringer of cutts with that ski jump in the background.

[Dan-o]

Coming from Lale Stevens which launch would you suggest.  I'd like to maybe head that way soon....  @Dan-o and give it a shot for kokes, cutts, and maybe if I had good intel some crappie. Online I see I have options but have never fished it. Suggestions and advice welcome.

@h20hunter

Let me check my calend......   I'M IN!

[J.Brower]

There are some dandy fish to be had! One of my all time favorite fisheries. Brads cut plugs, wedding rings with worms behind a dodger, and needlefish spoons in the 2.5-3” size are my go-to setups for cutts in sammamish.  Weather buoy, infront of the creek, and the next point on the south side past the weather buoy (don’t know the name of it) are my starting locations, 1.5-2.0 mph is the zone.


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[h20hunter]

Thanks! Planning on a quick cabelas trip to upsize a few pieces of gear. Dano and I are gonna give it a go. Can we run two rods per?

[h20hunter]

Doesn't look like it....

[Mfowl]

@J.Brower

Great cutt! That is a seriously nice fish for Samm. Usually Lk Wa is for the big fish and Samm is for volume. Well done!

[Alchase]

There are some dandy fish to be had! One of my all time favorite fisheries. Brads cut plugs, wedding rings with worms behind a dodger, and needlefish spoons in the 2.5-3” size are my go-to setups for cutts in sammamish.  Weather buoy, infront of the creek, and the next point on the south side past the weather buoy (don’t know the name of it) are my starting locations, 1.5-2.0 mph is the zone.


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What a pretty fish!

[MooseStock]

Do you have to pinch your barbs in Sammamish?....wasn't sure about that after even looking at the regs online....it seems like there was some reason to because of salmon/kokes or something but just not sure....Thanks.....Les

[Mfowl]

Barbless is not required. There used to be a chinook fishery in the fall that may have been, I don't recall. That fishery has not happened for a couple years due to low returns.

[Dan-o]

There are some dandy fish to be had! One of my all time favorite fisheries. Brads cut plugs, wedding rings with worms behind a dodger, and needlefish spoons in the 2.5-3” size are my go-to setups for cutts in sammamish.  Weather buoy, infront of the creek, and the next point on the south side past the weather buoy (don’t know the name of it) are my starting locations, 1.5-2.0 mph is the zone.


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Holy smokes, John.

That thing is like half cutt , half pig.

[MooseStock]

Thanks for the reply....

[Dan-o]

H20 is taking me fishing in the AM....     

@mfowl
@J.Brower
@stlusn30-06
@Buckmark


Are you able to tell us how to find this sunken forest?
We'll be launching from the state park.

We'd like to find the sunken forest, but not with the prop!     

Thanks, gents!

Dan

[Mfowl]

You will find it easily. Head out from the state park and stay N of the center of the lake. There are orange buoys marking the outer perimeter of the sunken forest. Its only maybe a mile into the lake from the state park on the S side. You will see the tree tops sticking out of the water. You could also head to the S side of the lake from the state park and follow the docks right in to the heart of it. The outer portions are in deep water, the better fishing this time of year will be in closer to shore. The pin is right in the mix of it.

[h20hunter]

Excellent.  My plan is to trout fish outta the gate tgen play around for sime crappie.  Got some jigs, tipping stuff, floats,  ready eddie.

[Mfowl]

Bring your polarized glasses, sometimes you can see crappie hanging right on the wood. If the crappie aren't playing use that same gear along the docks for perch. Good luck and have fun out there!

[Dan-o]

Awesome!

Thanks much!

[h20hunter]

Ok.....quick and dirty recap, senor dano can add his thoughts.

Cutts are not kokes and I need to adjust further. All action came on a needle fish spoon, aggressive hits. Marked fish 25 to 35 feet, adjusted rigger depth,  hooked up. Went one for two with a crazy lost perch that we drug for don't know how long after it ate the spoon 28 feet down in 65 feet of water.

Cool lake, need to 3explore more. What do these cutts eat? Can yiu hit one, mark it, circle back? Better spots in the lake? Do they like spoons more than other trout gear.  All questions that need further on the water research.

Really a nice launch and facilities. 

Sunken Forest is cool, indeed holds fish, and needs more exploration.

The fish....cutts....very red meat....salmon like....need more.

Highlights of the day.....Me actually hooking a perch and saying golly i got one with more enthusiasm than one typically has... i was genuinely excited.  Snacks....big highlight of the trip. I make good snacks.

Best moment was seeing an eagle just bomb the surface and come up with a giant trout. Big..  minimum 18 inch buck cutt. It has it, got chased off.....and I of course grabbed it. We took a few pics, bonked it as it still was squirming....and tossed it back to the eagles.  Very cool.

Excellent trip, just enough drizzle to keep the boat traffic away....need to go back.

First pic is of me long arming outlr first fish.....which I did NOT lose 5 feet from the boat. Second pic is the hog that the eagle bombed right off shore in the shallow part of the sunken forest.

[Alchase]

Nice fish!
We use to fish Sammamish when I was a kid. We would troll Flat fish or tiny Meps behind a row boat. And sometime cast Rooster Tails. The Cutts always seem to hit the little flashy or active lures, everything else would take a nightcrawler on a bobber.
This was years ago, so the fishery may have changed since then.

[Dan-o]

GREAT morning on the water!!

Couldn't believe that eagle bombed that big old trout right by us. 

If you want to laugh until your side hurts, watch H20 catch a perch on a bobber.    You'll see right away that he's been watching those bass tournaments to tune his hook set. 

Thanks bud.
Looking forward to next trip. 

[Mfowl]

Tough conditions to get out and learn the lake! Glad you had a good time all the same! 

[Alchase]

GREAT morning on the water!!

Couldn't believe that eagle bombed that big old trout right by us. 

If you want to laugh until your side hurts, watch H20 catch a perch on a bobber.    You'll see right away that he's been watching those bass tournaments to tune his hook set. 

Thanks bud.
Looking forward to next trip. 

That's called the Bill Dance "Dance"!
He drags the fish side to side to make it look like it is fighting hard. LOL

[7mmfan]

Seeing how excited he gets over flounder, I can only imagine how he reacts to perch. God help us if he hooked up on a crappie.

[7mmfan]

And what's all this snack talk??? Pretty sure all I saw was Oberto...

[Dan-o]

The man goes full bore gourmet. 

He made some salmon spread we had on crackers.    Hands down THE BEST salmon spread I've ever tasted.    Not close.   And I've had quite a few over the years.    It is simply awesome. 

Come to think of it, the perch euphoria might just have been post-salmon-spread bliss needing a release. 

[h20hunter]

Dano needs more pampering....what can I say. He is of age'ed and a more delicate nature.  His drink needs are specific and iced...snacks should be varied and hardy as he is a big man. We had salmon salad...think cook3d salmon with some sweet onion,  celery, garlic, brown mustard, relish, salt, pepper,  mayo....mix and chill....eat with crackers. Add some cheeses, some summer sausage and you have a tolerable day on the lake.

[AL WORRELLS KID]

The Sunken Forest (Crappie Heaven) should liven up when the water warms up later to Spawning Temperature. 
(Just watch out for those Tornado's!)
Doug

[7mmfan]

Dano needs more pampering....what can I say. He is of age'ed and a more delicate nature.  His drink needs are specific and iced...snacks should be varied and hardy as he is a big man. We had salmon salad...think cook3d salmon with some sweet onion,  celery, garlic, brown mustard, relish, salt, pepper,  mayo....mix and chill....eat with crackers. Add some cheeses, some summer sausage and you have a tolerable day on the lake.

Well. All I can say is I'm a little disgruntled. Slightly soured. Perturbed even. I'll give you another chance, but you better bring your A Game.

[Mfowl]

The Sunken Forest (Crappie Heaven) should liven up when the water warms up later to Spawning Temperature. 
(Just watch out for those Tornado's!)
Doug

I knew the sunken forest was natural but did not know it was pushing 1k years old!