Fishing Report For Omak Lake, WA

Current Fishing Report: Good

Lahontan cutthroat are the only sport fish available here, but the fishing is quite good. It is catch and release only, with a single, barbless hook. Fly fishing enthusiasts, trolling fanatics and spinning gear anglers all are catching these quality cutts, which average around 3 pounds or more. Fly fishing is not covered in this website, but cutthroat trout are being caught on plenty of other lures and bait. The diet of these cutthroat trout consists of insects, small fishes and crustaceans.

WINTER. Now that Winter has set in, cutthroat trout move away from the bank to deeper water during the day. Early risers are having the best success just after sunrise. Jigging spoons and jigs tipped with bait are catching nice cutthroat, out of 15 to 30 feet of water. Occasionally these cutthroats will drop to around 40 feet deep.

SPRING. As water begins to warm in early Spring, cutthroat trout move from their winter holding areas into shallow, warmer water - 10 to 15 feet deep. They seek our incoming water from snow-melt runoff. Generally, cutthroats will be drawn to these areas to spawn in clear, shallow water, from 3 to 10 feet deep. Most cutthroat will be caught early in the morning or late afternoon. The spawn usually occurs in April or May. A wide variety of small spinners and spoons are catching most of the fish. Later in Spring trout are caught 15 to 20 feet deep.

SUMMER. Once Summer is here to stay, the warmer water drives cutthroat deeper, 20 to 50 feet deep. They seek out deep holes near shallow-water feeding areas. They are often caught in 10 to 20 feet of water early in the day, around boulders, fallen trees, and rocky areas along drop-offs and ledges. Most cutthroats are also being taken while trolling, using downriggers or leaded line. Fishing is best from dusk, throughout the night, and early in the morning in 10 to 30 feet of water. Trolling, using downriggers or leaded line, and drift fishing with bait, produce the majority of bites.

FALL. Cooling water temperatures again draw rainbow trout shallower. Anglers are catching them 10 to 30 feet deep on points, ledges, rocky structure, humps, and anywhere baitfish are gathering. Now that they had a full summer to grow, there are some bragging size cutthroat catches fairly often. Small spinners, spoons, and swimbaits are catching cutthroat, as are salmon eggs and prepared baits.