[stranda4]

I was thinking about in the spring packing in my tube to fish either Cedar or Pine lake up in the Chuckanut mountains. I heard that one of these is stocked (or both?) anyone ever tried it?
I figured it would be a really nice quite place to get out in the tube and hopefully catch some fish.

Any advice or stories appreciated

Austin

 

[Will Carnaghi]

I went last month and fished for an hour or so, didn't catch anything but saw one jump and the wake of another near shore. I was standing on shore and fishing though, which I don't suggest because there's no room to cast. That's probably why I didn't catch anything, i bet they're deep. With a float tube it should be ok. Can't remember which one I fished, it was the first one you come to on the trail. -WC

 

[Irafly]

The lakes can be cyclical. Check with WDFW to see when they last stocked. I think they are on a three year cycle but that was a long time ago when I knew that. If they are still on that cycle and you hike in with a tube what you are likely to find is small fish the first year but more of them, medium fish but not as many the second year and big fish up to 19" but maybe only one or two an outing the third year. Sometimes you can pick up the rare big one on the first year as well. I use to fish a fair number of the Chuck lakes back in my Western days and then for a few years after I graduated and it seemed to be the same story for all the lakes up there although I did occassionally hike in thinking that I'd timed it perfectly only to find out that it had somehow been fished out or winter killed or something else like that. Again depending on the last time those lakes were stocked this Spring could be good because of the mild winter this year but last winter was harsh so who knows. Ultimately a bit of research and guess work could save you a hike in but really the only way to find out is by heading in. The tube is a great, great, great idea. I've also tried fishing from shore on some of the lakes with little success only to come back the next day with a tube and nail fish all day long. Bring a full sink and explore the bottom if nothing seems to be happening, I know that that has saved a few trips. Another buddy of mine may chime in here and he knows a lot more about it than I do. In fact I'm sure that most of my knowledge about this comes from him. Good luck.

Ira..

 

[Tim Lockhart]

Ira nailed it here. And same story for me...another WWU grad. I've found exactly the same stuff to be true about how these fish and the cycles they have. If you're taking fly gear, float or don't bother. But great for spinning from shore (and nothing wrong with that...most of what I learned about stillwater fishing was with spin gear). Anyhow, Pine is overpopulated at the moment. I haven't seen the stocking reports but it was obvious last spring it had been recently planted...8 inchers by the ton at surface and not a lot else. Took a few good-sized ones but they weren't looking all that "healthy." Prior year was quite good and the lake was nicely balanced. Cedar is generally "the lesser" of those two, however this is where more dedicated stillwater fishermen will be handsomely rewarded...and where the less dedicated will be sorry they went.

I've observed over the years that the Chuck/Blanchard lakes tend to overpopulate easily, even more so in the ones where brookies live. If I remember, they tend to stock a thousand or so each time but that seems like too many given the size of these lakes and lack of fishing pressure. And, as Ira says, you have to catch it at the right time...usually "the window" tends to open within a single season. You can definitely follow those trends but it takes some commitment and you have to like hiking...99.9% of guys won't bother so those places won't get overfished.

 

[nowhere]

Fished them both quite a few years ago and had a blast... steep trail but not too far... bring a tube for sure. Nice little lakes. Got a few nice fish 14" to 16" and a lot of little guys. We didn't see anyone else fishing, just a few hikers. Did well on olive willies and damsel nymphs and dries. Have fun!

 

[Ryan Singh-Cundy]

fished pine this summer from shore, saw a fair bit of rising but casting is tuff from the bank because of all the tree. only got one strike on a royal coachman which i missed because i wasn't paying attention and talking to a freind planning on taking my float tube up there this summer with a buddy, maybe we could meet up.

 

[stranda4]

Thanks for all the information. I'll have to looking into the stocking, and when the last one was for sure, but i figure i'll head up there regardless of anything really. I just love getting out in the middle of a quiet lake to throw out a fly. Definitely one of the most relaxing activities. Thanks for all the help and good luck brothers.

 

[sasquatch419]

i go to WWU right now. I love the chuchanut range, not far away from campus, good short but steep hikes with good views at the top. I have fished at pine lake a bunch in the spring it always seems to be a feeding frenzy around sun down, lots of OK size trout. When i first visited Cedar Lake i saw nothing jumping and fished a bit and i even doubt if they stock that lake. However i packed up and checked out Pine and it was a compelety different picture. Another lake that is just as good as Pine is Fragerance Lake just farther down chuckanut drive, trail head is right on the otherside of the road from Larabee State park parking lot. This hike is less steep and has a really cool viewpoint of San Juans halfway up the trail. The lake has lots of bugs and plenty of fish jumping.

 

[Nooksack Mac]

Like other posters here, I fished Pine and Cedar as a WWU student; in fact, the first place I fished in Washington. Be aware that it's a 1500 feet vertical climb up a rather steep trail.