Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: donsk16 on July 21, 2010, 12:27:59 PM

Title: Lake Chelan Crawfish
Post by: 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)
Title: Re: Lake Chelan Crawfish
Post by: boneaddict 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.
Title: Re: Lake Chelan Crawfish
Post by: uplandhunter870 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
Title: Re: Lake Chelan Crawfish
Post by: Alchase 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
Title: Re: Lake Chelan Crawfish
Post by: alanger on July 21, 2010, 02:27:18 PM: i dont think i wood eat anything out of those ponds. :twocents:
Title: Re: Lake Chelan Crawfish
Post by: donsk16 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.
Title: Re: Lake Chelan Crawfish
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW 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 :dunno:
Title: Re: Lake Chelan Crawfish
Post by: C-Money 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!
Title: Re: Lake Chelan Crawfish
Post by: alanger on July 21, 2010, 03:32:32 PM: find some rock piles under docks, or around the sea wall.
Title: Re: Lake Chelan Crawfish
Post by: ducks55 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.
Title: Re: Lake Chelan Crawfish
Post by: Ironhead 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.
Title: Re: Lake Chelan Crawfish
Post by: donsk16 on July 21, 2010, 07:13:44 PM: I will report back once I go and try it out then!

Thanks!
Title: Re: Lake Chelan Crawfish
Post by: Dustin07 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 (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 +)
Title: Re: Lake Chelan Crawfish
Post by: fishnate 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. :twocents:
Title: Re: Lake Chelan Crawfish
Post by: MtnMuley 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. :twocents:
Title: Re: Lake Chelan Crawfish
Post by: h2ofowlr on July 25, 2010, 09:16:44 PM: Here are some from this weekend. Good eats.
Title: Re: Lake Chelan Crawfish
Post by: actionshooter on July 25, 2010, 09:59:27 PM: that ones a grand daddy.
Title: Re: Lake Chelan Crawfish
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on July 25, 2010, 11:06:18 PM: Too bad they don't have tails.... :chuckle:
Title: Re: Lake Chelan Crawfish
Post by: h2ofowlr on July 26, 2010, 09:41:24 AM: The tails were good eats.
Title: Re: Lake Chelan Crawfish
Post by: donsk16 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!
Title: Re: Lake Chelan Crawfish
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on August 05, 2010, 10:29:15 PM: Next time, try near the mouth of a stream.. :dunno:
Title: Re: Lake Chelan Crawfish
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 05, 2010, 10:37:09 PM: man that one is a toad! :drool:
Title: Re: Lake Chelan Crawfish
Post by: C-Money on August 06, 2010, 10:21:52 AM: donsk16, sorry you did'ent get any, better luck next time!
Title: Re: Lake Chelan Crawfish
Post by: boneaddict on August 06, 2010, 10:55:21 AM: Sooooooo...you only ate the tails?
Title: Re: Lake Chelan Crawfish
Post by: GoldTip 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.
Title: Re: Lake Chelan Crawfish
Post by: donsk16 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.