Author Topic: Lake Chelan Crawfish (Read 18445 times)

donsk16 · « **on:** July 21, 2010, 12:27:59 PM »

I am a lurker around here - I joined for the hunting, but really just read everything...however, I did have a question for the fishing section! I love crawfish (I usually go to mineral lake) - but I am going to lake chelan for a vacation, and I was just curious if anyone knows if the lake holds any crawfish!

Thanks for any input!

(BTW, so I can contribute something, I have found cat food and or corn works best in my experiences)

boneaddict · « **Reply #1 on:** July 21, 2010, 12:31:25 PM »

I'm sure it does to some extent as it has a lot of acreage. Its pretty steril though as its so cold, so not sure how they do. Would be cool to hear some experiences there.

uplandhunter870 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 21, 2010, 12:38:10 PM »

ive never seen or heard of anyone pulling crawdads out of lk. chelan theres some crawdads in the rock island ponds but thats about an hour drive from chelan and they are not of any real size

Alchase · « **Reply #3 on:** July 21, 2010, 02:26:40 PM »

Quote from: donsk16 on July 21, 2010, 12:27:59 PM

I am a lurker around here - I joined for the hunting, but really just read everything...however, I did have a question for the fishing section! I love crawfish (I usually go to mineral lake) - but I am going to lake chelan for a vacation, and I was just curious if anyone knows if the lake holds any crawfish!

Thanks for any input!

(BTW, so I can contribute something, I have found cat food and or corn works best in my experiences)

Did you use cat food at Mineral?
I tried cat food there last year and did not get one.....though everyone else seemed to be getting there share, lol

Pearygin Lake, in Winthrop has a ton of Crayfish

alanger · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2010, 02:27:18 PM »

i dont think i wood eat anything out of those ponds.

donsk16 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 21, 2010, 02:35:45 PM »

[/quote]

Did you use cat food at Mineral?
I tried cat food there last year and did not get one.....though everyone else seemed to be getting there share, lol

Pearygin Lake, in Winthrop has a ton of Crayfish
[/quote]

Yes, you need to get a bit away from the resort and the public campgrounds though.

The side of the lake with the train tracks (as long as you stay away from the campground) seems to be the best area in my exp.

STIKNSTRINGBOW · « **Reply #6 on:** July 21, 2010, 02:52:43 PM »

I would bring the trap along and place it near the mouth of any feeder creeks, I would be amazed if there were not any in the lake.
As long as you don't put it too deep, it should get something

C-Money · « **Reply #7 on:** July 21, 2010, 03:14:51 PM »

My Buddy got a few big Smallies out of Lake Chelan a few years ago and they all were puking up crawdads. I would give it a try! He was fishing near town. Curious to know how you do!

alanger · « **Reply #8 on:** July 21, 2010, 03:32:32 PM »

find some rock piles under docks, or around the sea wall.

ducks55 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 21, 2010, 05:28:04 PM »

Use hot dogs in your traps. In my experience they work better than cat food and smell way better than that shat.

Ironhead · « **Reply #10 on:** July 21, 2010, 06:23:33 PM »

There are definately crawdads in Chelan. I have seen more in the south end than the north.

donsk16 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 21, 2010, 07:13:44 PM »

I will report back once I go and try it out then!

Thanks!

Dustin07 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 22, 2010, 11:38:20 AM »

there was a great post on this at washingtonlakes.com and the guys did say chelan had crays.

http://www.washingtonlakes.com/forum/yaf_postst834p5_the-freshwater-lobsterette--crawfish-lakes-UPDATE.aspx

good luck. I caught some MONSTERS out at lake washington one night a few weeks back. (monsters in my opinion, 8 inches +)

fishnate · « **Reply #13 on:** July 22, 2010, 11:20:10 PM »

I have seen a few when I was scuba diving but do not think it would be worth it.

MtnMuley · « **Reply #14 on:** July 23, 2010, 12:44:10 PM »

I've fished the lake for 20 years, and have never seen a crawfish there, nor have ever seen sign of them there. I'm sure there is a few, but I would highly doubt you could ever catch enough to make it worth your while.

h2ofowlr · « **Reply #15 on:** July 25, 2010, 09:16:44 PM »

Here are some from this weekend. Good eats.

actionshooter · « **Reply #16 on:** July 25, 2010, 09:59:27 PM »

that ones a grand daddy.

STIKNSTRINGBOW · « **Reply #17 on:** July 25, 2010, 11:06:18 PM »

Too bad they don't have tails....

h2ofowlr · « **Reply #18 on:** July 26, 2010, 09:41:24 AM »

The tails were good eats.

donsk16 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 05, 2010, 10:18:37 PM »

Report:

Wapato PT

1 Pot ~ 15 feet of water
1 pot ~ 25 feet of water

Catfood as bait

Overnight Soak

Result:

No Crawfish! I wasn't expecting a bunch based on the replies, was hoping for a little snack atleast!

STIKNSTRINGBOW · « **Reply #20 on:** August 05, 2010, 10:29:15 PM »

Next time, try near the mouth of a stream..

carpsniperg2 · « **Reply #21 on:** August 05, 2010, 10:37:09 PM »

man that one is a toad!

C-Money · « **Reply #22 on:** August 06, 2010, 10:21:52 AM »

donsk16, sorry you did'ent get any, better luck next time!

boneaddict · « **Reply #23 on:** August 06, 2010, 10:55:21 AM »

Sooooooo...you only ate the tails?

GoldTip · « **Reply #24 on:** August 06, 2010, 10:57:30 AM »

Quote from: boneaddict on August 06, 2010, 10:55:21 AM

Sooooooo...you only ate the tails?

Thats exactly my first thought, there is a lot of good meat in those claws, especially that one with the Popeye claw.

donsk16 · « **Reply #25 on:** August 08, 2010, 04:23:54 PM »

Thought I would give an update - we tried another day later in the trip, similar location, similar depth, and ended up with 2 in 2 pots. Nothing worth keeping, but if I return and have a boat (we could only swim and set) I would scout out some better locations and give it another whirl.

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Author Topic: Lake Chelan Crawfish (Read 18445 times)

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