Flaming Gorge Lakers

[Steve(CO)]

I tried this on the Fishing Reports board but got no takers. While I know that Flaming Gorge has no walleye, I have always wanted to try for some of the huge lakers there. Anyone have any info on best times, locations, baits, techniques, etc? I have also heard that there is excellent smallmouth fishing. Thanks,
Steve

[Mattman]

On ice?

[Neal/CO]

I went there in there three times in the early 90s, what a spectacular place. I was never fortunate to catch a tropy but we caught some lakers up to about 12 lbs. I saw a lady catch a 30 lber and a friend of mine got one that weighed 31 lbs on a floating Rapala. We caught a ton of smallmouths, kokanee and trout. Everybody should go there at least once just to see it. I highly recommend hiring a guide for at least a day. It is a 96 mile long flooded canyon. We just covered alot of water trolling till we started catching fish. Ghunga Din, who posts on this board alot knows that lake well. I'm sure he could point you in the right direction.

[Steve(CO)]

No- open water. I'm too much of a wimp for ice fishing. I've fly fished the river below the dam numerous times, but never the lake (never had a boat I felt would handle the bigger water). The trout fishing below in the Green is superb but pretty crowded as it has gotten a national reputation.

[Gunga Din]

The areas on the lake I've fished are mostly in the Utah water, though if I'm going to be there for a few days I'll purchase a reciprocal license to fish Wyoming water too. A boat is needed, and I recommend buying one of the Fish-n-Maps of the lake. It does a good job of pointing out likely spots for the lake's different species.

I usually drive to Manilla and fish for the lakers in Linwood Bay. There's a hump down about 80' shown on the map, with a gravel bottom. The macs spawn there, and that's a great place to catch a big one. Across the bay is Antelopw Flat, and if you fish out from the ramp lined up with it you'll see a lot of big humps hugging the bottom. Most people jig for them there. Also good are Swim Beach in Wyo and off the point below the pipeline in Wyo. There are other good places by the dam where you're familiar, with several humps for macs and lots of good SMB fishing.

The macs are typically lethargic, so a slow presentation, even when jigging, is best. To cover water, use a downrigger and pull a flatfish, J-13 broken back Rapala, or other lure that simulates a kokanee and that provides good action at a slow speed. Also good is dead minnows (big, 6-8" red sides work best). You want your ball practically dredging the bottom, with the lure not too far behind the ball. When using pop gear, only leave a foot or two of line beind the ball and between the pop gear--you want your bait to follow the contour as you raise and lower it constantly. If you don't hang regularly, you're not where the fish are. Surprisingly, the hardware doesn't spook the fish.

Some people speed troll for suspended fish, using a 12-lb cannonball and stacking lines every 15' on the downrigger line. In the winter and late fall we even troll (longline) large lures, like an AC Plug in rainbow or Kokanee patterns right on the surface. They dive a few feet, and when you find the fish the fishing can be fast.

My kids love the Gorge and look forward to summer days spent fishing there. It's a lot of work to find the big ones, so if you want to shorten the learning curve, do as Neal suggest and hire a guide.

BTW, I love fishing the Green below the dam too!!

[Steve(CO)]

Thanks for the information. I have camped at Antelope Flats before so I know that area. Is that the best place to launch? My boat is equipped with a new downrigger although I don't have much experience using it, so your suggestions are very helpful. I'm going to try to make a trip over this spring, I hope. Visions of huge lakers will dance in my head until then.
Steve

[Mattman]

I've really only fished Lakers on ice. My favorite technique for that (it also works in summer) is white Power Tubes. Fish 'em on a tube jig or on a Northland Airplane jig.

[drtaz]

ditto ginga din.
went there two years ago in late may. our party hooked over 10 that went 20+ and lots of kokanee and nice trout too.
be aware that there is a size and very low possession limit.
our party is going up again this year about the same time.
we use cannon bottom tracking downriggers which are great for all species, but especially at the deep levels mentioned above.

email me if you would care to join us.

nearby boat-in camp area has great kokanee fishing, no need to trailer boat each night and without loud music or dogs.

p.s. another close lake with more liberal limits is blue mesa reservior near gunnison, co. i also believe wyo has lake trout water nearby.

please understand that it is all a case of good timing. the scenery is beautiful even if you don't catch any trophies. they don't call it "flaming" by mistake.

let me know how you do.

good fishing. dale

[Gunga Din]

Best place to launch is directly across the lake from Antelope Flats in Linwood. Antelope Flats is basically abandoned and there are no services. At Linwood there is everything you need from gas to groceries to restaurants.

As drtaz mentioned, enjoy the scenery. You can often see bighorn sheep grazing while trolling down a canyon!

[Steve(CO)]

drtaz:
You mention timing as critical. When are you planning on going? What's the best bet?
Steve