In looking at the fact that I have about $1,000 tied up in the Garmin 73sv ( including installation) and I would probably spend another grand on a Lowrance , I was talking to my local supplier of Kokanee gear who told me that he uses a fish hawk. Apparently it is a unit you can run down on your downrigger and then pull it back up and it gives you water temperature and depth. So I can see where the temp hits 54 degrees and drop down 5 ft and start catching fish. Much cheaper than buying new gear and Garmin tech support sux!!
Try the tackle shop down in Cascade. They are party tuned in on what is going on.
In late summer I can see the fish down around. 40 ft. Tried adjusting the sensitivity and it goes from nothing to a yellow blowout.
I live in the central Idaho mountains and fish a number of lakes for trout of different species, Kokanee salmon and occasionally one of the big rivers for bigger salmon. My 14.5 foot side console boat is my primary fishing tool. Being a side console I only have room for a 7 inch unit. Currently I am using a Garmin Echomap but there are no instructions on how to find the thermocline so I know how deep to troll (on the lakes). My old glass boat had a 5” Lowrance that was simple to find the thermocline but had no side view or other new technologies. Any suggestions?
Kokanee on Payette is about done for the year. Trout is a bit spotty but Mackinaw still goid but deep.
Does anyone know the depth of the thermocline in Lake Payette?
If you are looking for trophy trout, checkout Louie Lake.
Are you fishing from shore or trolling in a boat?
Today as we were finally getting the damages from the ice dam in February repaired and the house back to normal, we turned on the water line that feeds the sprinkler system. This morning we rose to find the guest bedroom and garage floor wet. No matter what, the boat is going to get its maiden run this week. Little Payette is so close. Any advice on trolling for kokes or trout?
I have been by Horsethief a few times and have thought about taking the RV up there. I will give it a try. I do understand that F&G stick it every May. I did my first Kokanee trip last August to Dwarskak but the Koks were spawning and had moved out of the dam area and I was told they were about 80 miles North, also told that the best fishing was from early Spring until the 4th of July. In spite of the dealer modifications on my pontoon boat, I couldn’t get the troll speed slower than 2mph. That was the reason I bought a 1450 side console aluminum boat and put a trolling plate on it. Due to major snow and ice damage repairs so far this year, the boat is still a virgin fish catcher.
I checked out Cascade, but the algae was looking pretty bad. I will give Little Payette a try this week. Are any of the lakes in the area good for Kokanee? I would really like to learn how to catch them!
Anyone know of any great fishing spots around McCall Idaho?
Thanks, sold my old glass ski boat and went to a pontoon boat. Rigging it now and should be on the water by the 23rd of May. Only big task now is mounting the downriggers. Understand the Kokanee plant has been about 400k fish for the past few years and scheduled for this year. If the lakers haven’t eaten them all, should be a number of 2 year olds ready for the smoker.