Timing the trout bite

[GeryG]

The past 4 weeks that I went fishing for trout, I noticed the early morning bite is not that great.
The fish are closer to the surface, but not that active, due to the warm water. But once the sun
comes out and they go down to the thermocline, the bit is excellent for a few hours. Today I didnt
even get to the lake till 10:30. The sun was trying to break through the clouds. By 11:00 the sun
was out and the bite was on:cheers: Caught a released 3 fish in 15 minuts, Then caught some
more until 12:30. Then it slowed down big time, & I should of left, but I had a bunch of new stuff
I wanted to try. Fish were 13 to 15 " The people I talked to while trolling, said it was a slow morning.
I'm glad I slept in.

[Volk]

ive noticed that the lake i go to has a slow bite from 6-8/9am. then after the sun gets up a bit over the trees, it picks up and gets much better till 11 or so.

[raffensg64]

Yep, I notice the same thing, time and time again. My partners and I all agree that arriving prior to 9:30 or so is usually a waste of time. My personal experience is that trout don't get real active until 10:00 or so and sometimes as late as 11:00 or 12:00. This has been the case whether March, April, May or June and whether on Amber, Coffeepot, Medical or W. Medical. I will catch most of my fish in the late morning and early afternoon. After that things shut down until the evening hours.

[Marc Martyn]

When I was young and foolish, I would get up and be on the lake before the sun rose. Most of the time all I caught was a beautiful sunrise. I began to notice that there really wasn't any action until after 9:00 a.m.
There would be some fish rising, but getting their attention was often difficult. My take on this is that the insects don't really start up until about 10:00 a.m. Once the sun has warmed the water surface and the air, the hatches start coming off.
For many years I have wondered just what is it that triggers a hatch. From the research that I have done, I have concluded that it is the combination of air temperature, light and surface temperature. Very early in the morning when I have seen fish surfacing, the rises are very suttle telling me that the fish are often taking emerging midges. It seems that a few hours later the larger insects start to hatch. Insects are cold blooded and don't get active until it gets warmer. Ever see a yellow jacket nest at sunrise? They move very slow.
I have taken a lot of flack from my fishing buddies about arriving at a lake between 9-10 a.m. The usual comment is "Well, here comes old sleepy head". I reply with "what is your all fired hurry?:bounce: The bugs aren't even up yet!

[A9]

I really only fish a few lakes for trout. One mainly, about 80% of the time now becuase its the best trout lake in western washington for both size and amount of fish caught. Never been skunked, average fish is 16 inches, and I've been out with a buddy and caught 52 trout, (none smaller then 14 inches, several over 20 inches) in only 3 hours trolling.

I find that my best days at this lake are when its got a bit of chop on the lake to keep the eagles and birds away (they can't see the trout as easily on the surface on these days) and when it's cloudy or overcast....

[Derrick-k]

I really only fish a few lakes for trout. One mainly, about 80% of the time now becuase its the best trout lake in western washington for both size and amount of fish caught. Never been skunked, average fish is 16 inches, and I've been out with a buddy and caught 52 trout, (none smaller then 14 inches, several over 20 inches) in only 3 hours trolling.

I find that my best days at this lake are when its got a bit of chop on the lake to keep the eagles and birds away (they can't see the trout as easily on the surface on these days) and when it's cloudy or overcast....

Come on help me out, I can't seem to find one good trout lake in western wa. I would like to know the location of this lake, pm me!:colors:

[gpc]

I really only fish a few lakes for trout. One mainly, about 80% of the time now becuase its the best trout lake in western washington for both size and amount of fish caught. Never been skunked, average fish is 16 inches, and I've been out with a buddy and caught 52 trout, (none smaller then 14 inches, several over 20 inches) in only 3 hours trolling.

I find that my best days at this lake are when its got a bit of chop on the lake to keep the eagles and birds away (they can't see the trout as easily on the surface on these days) and when it's cloudy or overcast....

Come on help me out, I can't seem to find one good trout lake in western wa. I would like to know the location of this lake, pm me!:colors:

As far as good trout lakes around the city there really isnt any. When did you start fishing for trout this year?
Around the opener all the lakes are pretty hot around the city because of all the stockings. Your best bet is check the triploid stocks, there are 7 lakes in king county that get them so those would be your best bet as far as big fish. Some other lakes that get healthy stocks in the 10,000 fish range are Steel lake , north lake and green lake.
But there is a lot more decent trout lakes in the city. Rattlesnake might be the best lake in king county, but its pretty much Kitsap county, and I have never fished it. Also Beaver and Pine get good plants but those are pretty far too. Mineral in lewis county is one of the best trout lakes in the state and you can get there in about an hour from kent. Beaver lake also has great winter fishing for huge trout, and Spanaway in lewis county also has some great winter fishing for big trout and they rent row boats for $3.50 an hour

[A9]

Come on help me out, I can't seem to find one good trout lake in western wa. I would like to know the location of this lake, pm me!:colors:

It would be too long of a drive from Kent. I don't really tell people about it anyways. It's probably the best trout lake I've fished and everyone I've taken there is just blown away by how good the fishing is and how big they are....

Sorry for my ranting, but it's all true...Jimmy Jimsoks has been out there with me most of the time and can vouch for this