Catching Large Kokanee and Trout at American Lake

Discover the hidden fishing gem that is American Lake, where big Kokanee and Trout await! Our early summer fishing trip to American Lake was a success, yielding two large Kokanee and a few smaller Trout. American Lake is known for its big Rainbow Trout, but also holds a strong Kokanee population. In this video, we'll show you our catch and share our tips for a successful summer fishing trip at American Lake.
Skip to 3:20 to get right to the kokanee otherwise the video plays in order of the fish caught.

[@WAFishQuest]

Those are huge! I haven't fished American in a while but I remember the bottom coming up on me too!

[@SoundFishing2020]

It didn't make it in the video but I did get hung up on the bottom for a short time. Fortunately I was able to get all my gear back.

[@vaughnprecision]

I need to get out and try this.! Those are some great looking Kokanee

[@washingtonlife]

Nice size Kokanee! Great video!

[@SoundFishing2020]

Looking forward to seeing how much bigger they'll be in a few months. Saw one caught a few days ago 18" long. Not world record size but approaching trophy class kokanee for sure.

[@oliviaocampo6440]

Where were you trolling? I was thinking to fish over there soon. Great fish

[@SoundFishing2020]

The north side of Silcox Island. In front of the VA hospital is also an excellent spot. Let me know how you do.

[@landonf4066]

Nice one man! What how long are the leaders for your wedding rings and other tackle?

[@SoundFishing2020]

I run 36 inches of mono from the chain bead to the dodger. The leader for the wedding ring is 12-18 inches. The shorter the leader the more action the dodger will impart on the lure.

[@landonf4066]

@@SoundFishing2020 ok thanks, I might try it tomorrow.

[@SoundFishing2020]

North side of Silcox Island in 60 feet deep water and off the VA Hospital are a good place to start!

[@dukk881]

Those hands are wet, right? If you hold a fish with dry hands, the oil on your hands will destroy the fish's slime. Within 4 days the fish has fungus the shape of your hand. Within a week, the fish is dead. I grew up next to a hatchery, saw the fungus, listened to hatchery managers. Better to keep 5 than to release 10.

[@SoundFishing2020]

It is important for anglers to handle all fish they plan to release as delicately as possible. I fish on some lakes/rivers that are strictly catch and release only. Thousands of fish are caught, then released, and I have never seen fish with fungus. I also volunteered at a salmon hatchery in Oregon. Most fish you describe with fungus is attributed to poor diet, dirty water, or the end of the fish's life cycle (e.g. salmon). Still wetting the hands is not a bad practice to protect a fish's slime but likely not the cause of the fungus on the fish you saw at the hatchery.

[@shawndoyle6460]

If the fish die they will float to the top and there's a ton of eagles at American that will eat them

[@SoundFishing2020]

So true 👍

[@lg8080]

Were you using downrigger? What is the depth do you recommend? Thanks!

[@SoundFishing2020]

I usually start at 20' until I start marking fish then adjust from there. With the temperatures in the 90s the past week the fish are deeper. Yesterday (31 July) on American Lake the fish were at 35' deep. Hope this helps.

[@lg8080]

@@SoundFishing2020 Thank you for sharing! Looking forward for more fishing videos!

[@SoundFishing2020]

Got some videos coming out soon. I hope to see you out there with a bunch of fish in your cooler

[@shawndoyle6460]

I say keep it 5 fish all together..... we need to conserve since WDFW barely runs itself....

[@SoundFishing2020]

I 100% agree on the second part. I'd like to see them separate as opposed to a combined limit. Nothing is worse than being forced by the State to keep a trout when targeting kokanee.

[@milkbone1978]

Is that a motorized kayak?

[@SoundFishing2020]

Yes, it's an Old Town Predator 13.

[@milkbone1978]

@@SoundFishing2020 I want to do something similar to my Hobie, did you end up having to register your kayak? Or is American Lake not considered a non Federal water?

[@SoundFishing2020]

@milkbone1978 Unfortunately, American Lake is one of the few lakes considered a Federal Waterway. Do you fish American Lake now?

[@milkbone1978]

@@SoundFishing2020 Not currently. I was thinking about hitting it up this spring with my dad.

[@SoundFishing2020]

Spring is an excellent time, especially after the trout are stocked by the state. Summer gets really busy with recreational boaters. Best time then is sunrise - 10am.