Summer is one of my favorite times to chase kokanee across the lakes of Central Oregon. Whether I’m fishing Paulina Lake, East Lake, Crescent Lake, Odell Lake, Crane Prairie Reservoir, or Lake Billy Chinook, one thing remains the same—success starts long before the sun comes over the horizon.
During July and August, I like to have the boat launched and lines in the water before first light. The cooler morning temperatures, calm water, and low-light conditions create the perfect window for active kokanee. As the sun climbs higher and recreational boat traffic increases, the bite often slows, and the fish move deeper or become less aggressive.
An early start also lets us take advantage of calm water before afternoon winds arrive. It’s safer, more comfortable, and gives us the best opportunity to stay on feeding fish.
One of the biggest advantages I have as a guide is using my Humminbird XPLORE with MEGA Live 2. Live sonar has changed the way I fish for kokanee. Instead of guessing where the fish are, I can watch schools move in real time, pinpoint the exact depth they’re holding, and adjust my presentations immediately. It allows me to spend less time searching and more time catching fish.
Even with today’s technology, electronics are only part of the equation. Experience is what tells you how to react when fish change depth, follow a lure without committing, or suddenly disappear from one area and show up in another. Knowing how to interpret what you’re seeing on the screen consistently puts more kokanee in the boat.
Finding the right depth is one of the biggest keys to summer success. Fish that were feeding at 25 feet one day may be holding at 45 or even 60 feet the next. I constantly monitor my electronics and adjust my downriggers or long-line setups to keep my lures in the strike zone. Staying with the fish instead of waiting for them to come to you often makes the difference between a slow day and a limit.
When it comes to tackle, I keep my presentation simple but effective. My go-to dodgers are the Poulsen Cascade Tackle Arrow Flash Dodgers and LURED Kokanee Tackle spinners and kokanee rigs. These combinations have proven themselves time and time again on Central Oregon waters.
As summer progresses, I make several adjustments to my gear. One of the most important is shortening my leaders to 8 to 10 inches behind the dodger. A shorter leader gives the lure much more action, making hoochies and spinners dart and pulse aggressively behind the dodger. That extra movement often triggers strikes from fish that ignore a slower presentation.
I also scale down my tackle. Smaller hoochies, smaller beaded spinners, and an overall smaller presentation consistently produce during the warmer months. Kokanee can become selective in clear summer water, and matching the size of what they’re willing to eat often leads to more bites.
Scent is another detail that shouldn’t be overlooked. I tip every lure with shoe-peg corn and add garlic to my corn for an extra boost in the summertime. Kokanee rely heavily on scent, and that added garlic can make the difference when fish are following but not committing.
Color selection changes with light conditions and water clarity, but orange, pink, gold, purple, and glow patterns are always among my first choices. Rather than relying on one “magic” color, I let the fish tell me what they want each day and make adjustments as conditions change.
Trolling speed is just as important as lure selection. Maintaining a consistent speed while occasionally making gentle turns changes the action of your dodger and lure. Sometimes that slight speed change is all it takes to trigger a strike from following fish. 0.8 mph to 1.5 mph, and my favorite is 1.2 mph.
Summer weather also plays a major role. Calm mornings are ideal, while a light breeze can sometimes extend the bite by breaking up the surface light. As the day warms, boat traffic and changing conditions often make fishing more challenging. That’s another reason I encourage clients to meet early—we’re fishing during the most productive part of the day.
Finally, don’t forget to take care of your catch. Kokanee are excellent table fare, but they should be iced immediately after they’re caught to preserve their quality. I keep a cooler on board and clean and package every client’s fish before the day is over.
Technology has changed kokanee fishing dramatically, but success still comes down to paying attention to the details. Starting early, watching your electronics, staying on active fish, shortening leaders, downsizing presentations, adding scent, and making small adjustments throughout the morning are the techniques that consistently put fish in the net.
If you’d like to learn these techniques firsthand while enjoying some of the best kokanee fishing Central Oregon has to offer, I’d love to have you aboard.
Baddfish Guide Service offers guided kokanee fishing trips throughout Central Oregon. I’m a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain, an Oregon State Marine Board-licensed and insured guide, and I take pride in helping anglers of all experience levels become more successful on the water.
To book your trip to Lake Billy Chinook, visit Baddfish.com or call (530) 334-0120. For guided trips on lakes within the Deschutes National Forest, book through DayOneOutdoors.com and ask for James Hinton.
*** Day One Outdoors Operates Under a Special Use Permit With the Deschutes National Forest***
James Hinton BaddfishGuide Service
(530) 334-0120
Baddfishguide.com
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