The day’s bite started slowly, but as the sun crept up over the low mountains and touched the edges of the lake, the fishing really picked up. We drifted along with a brisk wind casting Rooster Tails on the channels and flats at the north end of the lake.
There were times when we were getting bit on every cast, and sometimes those every-cast episodes lasted a long time.
I was the guest of Buzz Ramsey of Yakima Bait, and this water, Goose Lake, was one of his favorites. The high-country lake is well stocked with trout every year, and there is natural production as well.
After a while it became apparent that although the hungry trout would take almost anything, they really seemed to like a yellow-bodied Rooster Tail with a bronze blade. They would hammer that bait, smashing it as it dropped following a cast, or whacking it when retrieved.
The majority of the fish were cutthroats from 11 to 14 inches, and they were fat and sassy. There silvery sides were flecked with black dots, and they were in great shape.
At the least, they were robust fighters, often leaping when hooked, and pushing hard along the lakes surface.
We also caught a couple dozen 6-inch brook trout, a few brown trout, and a few chunky, feisty rainbows.
Even though the fishing was excellent, there were still only two other boats on the water by 9 a.m.
However, as we prepared to pull the drift boat from the water somewhere after 10 a.m., rigs with trailered boats began pulling into the boat launch parking lot. By the time, we left Goose Lake was looking popular.
It is now early summer, and warmer temps are working their way into the forecasts, as well as the area’s trout lakes. At the lowland lakes, which have fished well for the last nine months, the fishing is beginning to slow down.
For trout fishermen, it’s time to think about elevation.
Streams, ponds, and lakes in the upper elevations of the Cascades are beginning to get real good right now, even as the lowland lakes are slowing. Savvy trout anglers will be making their way up into the mountains this summer, and chasing those high country trout in the alpine forests of the Cascades.
While many of these gems are little known and scattered around the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest, and only accessible by hiking in, there are a few that offer easy access. These drive-to lakes are great for launching small fishing craft such as canoes, rowboats, or float tubes. They offer bank-side camping as well.
Goose Lake, located a few miles west of the town of Trout Lake, is a good example of the fishing to be had in high elevation lakes. Stacie Kelsey of the WDFW Inland Fishes Program reported that Goose Lake was stocked with plenty of trout this year.
“We put a bunch of those gorgeous cutthroats in there,” Kelsey said. “We put just under 8,000 of them in (Goose Lake).”
The lake was also stocked in May with 3,500 rainbow trout. The lake has natural production of brook trout and brown trout, too. However, the state has discontinued stocking hatchery brown trout in Goose Lake.
According to Jesse Miller, the manager of the Goldendale Trout Hatchery, there will be more trout put into Goose Lake this summer.
“We had a few derbies that didn’t come off,” said Miller, “so we have about 2,000 extra rainbows. We will be stocking them into Goose Lake, probably in the next couple weeks.”
To get there: Follow State Highway 14 east to the Wind River Highway (NF-65) and drive north. Turn right onto Carson-Gular Road (NF-60), and follow it for seven miles to the lake. The last few miles are gravel and rough in spots.
There is a forest service campground, and a boat ramp. A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park.
For more information: Trout Lake Ranger District: (509) 395-3402
Takhlakh, Council lakes
These two lakes lie about 30 miles southeast of Randle. Both offer nice campgrounds and excellent fishing for stocked and holdover trout.
“We just stocked Council and Takhlakh Lakes last week,” Kelsey said. “We put rainbow trout in both of them, a little over 3,000 in each.
“They are super awesome lakes to fish, but mosquitos can be really tortuous at both of those lakes. The trade-off is that the fishing is so good. You are going to have fun, but bring the repellent,” she added.
Takhlakh Lake was planted with 3,132 rainbows at 2.2 per pound on June 10. The lake also just received a fresh stocking of big, brood rainbow trout.
“Takhlakh just got planted with 200 brooder rainbows at 0.3 per pound,” said Miller. “They are a little over three pounds each.”
The lake also has brook trout, brown trout, and cutthroat trout.
Miller mentioned that the campground at Takhlakh had not opened yet, and may not be open in time for this weekend’s fishing.
Council Lake was planted with 3,367 rainbow trout on June 11. The lake contains eastern brook, brown and cutthroat trout in addition to catchable rainbows.
There is a Forest service campground and boat ramp. Only Electric motors are allowed..
For more information: Cowlitz Ranger District: (360) 497-1100.
