Lake Wenatchee Sockeye

[pickardjw]

Anyone been out for Lake Wenatchee sockeye this year? Hoping to pick up a couple limits Friday evening and Saturday morning. Watched the Split Milt video on it, I kinda hope it's not THAT easy...thinking about just dragging some spoons. Any tips?

[Angry Perch]

Anyone been out for Lake Wenatchee sockeye this year? Hoping to pick up a couple limits Friday evening and Saturday morning. Watched the Split Milt video on it, I kinda hope it's not THAT easy...thinking about just dragging some spoons. Any tips?

Red hook or red hook with pink hoochie. Short leader! Like 12-14". Go slow, and chase them down as the day goes on. It really is (can be) that easy.

[WSU]

They may be really deep.

[Caseyd]

Slow then slower then that 

My fish last year had worms 🪱 

[Skyvalhunter]

Buddy went there last week and limited. Said he was going back the next day but never heard how he did.

[Shrimper]

Fished it Aug 9,10,11

Did well brought home ten fish for the three days but only fished two becasue we were blown off the lake on the 10th is was blowing 20 constant most of the day.

0 silver dodger with UV tape and 9-12" leaders, three 2/0 red barbless hooks.  0.9-1.1 trolling speed and the earlier arriving fish seem to be deeper, we had the best luck between 75-80' with 78' being the best depth.  The later arriving fish seem to be shallower 45-50', got a couple in that range.  Also, if you can use a 5' dropper on your rigger ball from the clip, it helps not spook the fish as much.  Plus fished a third rod with a 3 ounce banana weight and it caught a couple fish too, just not as productive as the rigger rods.

Good luck and let us know how you do.

[KP-Skagit]

How long does the fishery last?

[Shrimper]

How long does the fishery last?

It's my understaning the season is as long as the quota remains.  Once WDFW determines the quota has been reached they will close it, usually they will give 24-48 hours notice before closing.

Here is the emergency rule notice from WDFW opening the lake

August 2, 2021

Lake Wenatchee opens for sockeye

Action: Opens sockeye retention season.

Effective date: One hour before official sunrise on August 4, 2021, until further notice.

Species affected: Sockeye salmon.

Location: Lake Wenatchee (Chelan Co.)

Rule: Daily limit two (2) sockeye. Minimum size 12 inches. Release all Bull Trout, steelhead, and Chinook salmon unharmed and without removing the fish from the water. Selective gear rules are in effect (up to three single-point barbless hooks per line, no bait or scent allowed, knotless nets required). Two-pole fishing is allowed with a valid two-pole endorsement. Night closure in effect.

Reason for action: Based on current sockeye passage analysis at both Tumwater Dam and mainstem Columbia River Dams, WDFW projects 29,000 total sockeye are destined for Lake Wenatchee. This provides an estimated 6,000 sockeye to be available for harvest above the natural spawning escapement goal of 23,000 fish. This fishery will be monitored closely and may close on short notice depending on angler participation and harvest rates.

Additional information: Anglers are advised to routinely check WDFW's emergency rules website for updates (https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/.??

[Shrimper]

Just received this WDFW email about the Lake Wenatchee Sockeye Season, get out there while you can.

August 26, 2021

Lake Wenatchee sockeye fishery to close

Action: Closes salmon fishing.

Effective date: One hour after official sunset, Aug. 31, 2021.

Species affected: Sockeye salmon.

Location: Lake Wenatchee (Chelan County).

Reason for action: The majority of adult sockeye salmon currently in Lake Wenatchee will soon become largely unavailable to anglers due to their annual migration to the spawning grounds on the White and Little Wenatchee rivers. Sockeye condition and desirability will have declined drastically. With so few sockeye present in Lake Wenatchee, closing this fishery will reduce unnecessary impacts to bull trout.

[pickardjw]

Sneaking in there just in time. Does this mean I should concentrate on fishing the west side of the lake closer to the spawning rivers? That would be my first instinct.

Also, does it also mean potentially poor quality fish being later in the run? I'll still catch and eat, just want to know what to expect...

[WSU]

I would focus on the end in front of the white/little wenatchee.

[Bullkllr]

We ate a couple from this weekend. Skin was kinda gray/pink. Meat was still quite good. Those fish seem to hold their juice really well despite being so long in fresh water.

[Angry Perch]

We ate a couple from this weekend. Skin was kinda gray/pink. Meat was still quite good. Those fish seem to hold their juice really well despite being so long in fresh water.

Ya, they really do. Was always impressed with the quality after all hey go through to get up there.

[EmeraldBullet]

Slow then slower then that 

My fish last year had worms 🪱 

A lil extra protein never hurt anyone ; D

[Sutherland]

 

Still good eating fish. Was very happy with what we caught.