Fishing a Brand New Kokanee Lake!

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Fishing new Kokanee lakes can always be intimidating. Not know where to start or how deep can make it a bit of hunt but applying what you have learned in other lakes and trusting your electronics is often key to a successful day on new water. In this video I fish Wapato Lake near Chelan, Washington hoping to catch my first limit from this new Kokanee lake.
Tackle featured in this video:
- ‪@OldTownCanoeKayak‬ AutoPilot 120 bit.ly/2BWCX6e
- Santiam Kokanee Rods: bit.ly/30xH6r5
- Daiwa Lexa 100 HLC Reel: amzn.to/36zef7W
- Arrow Flash Dodgers: bit.ly/2yw8F8T
- Microshrimp: amzn.to/3f5hRAd
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[@yourplayin]

Don’t listen to all the haters. You’ve taught me so much and we’ve put fish in the boat because of your channel. Thank you!

[@pdx25rsti]

I second that!! I used to get skunked because I had no idea what I was doing. After finding your KZbin channel I catch limits. 🙂 And now I share what little knowledge I have with others and always point them to Spilt Milt Productions on KZbin.

[@rossnolan5659]

Yup, same

[@daveengstrom9250]

I am one of those "new guys" you mentioned. I have watched a lot of your material and am learning a lot I think. I live in Republic and am learning to fish walleye and kokanee in Lake Roosevelt. I want to thank you for helping guys like me become successful. I am retired now and fished all my life, in Minnesota where we could use live bait. Catching walleye is very different here.

[@brittlanders351]

I watch every Kokanee video you put out…though I don’t own a kayak nor do I troll for them. I think the draw to your channel is that you fish local and in a manner that connects with the common folks. I agree with your assertion about them being easy salmon. The last few years have been disappointing for chinook where I am, but Kokanee have been a wonderful alternative! Keep up the great content

[@northerntribeoutdoors5938]

Those that want to "keep it secret, keep it safe" are basically just being selfish. It is all of our tax money that goes to supporting and creating these fisheries but they want to keep it to themselves. Too bad. We need more sportsmen and women not more video game addicts. I really appreciate that you have educated so many onto a great fishery including myself. I try and pass on what I have learned as well so that more people not less enjoy the great outdoors and the incredible benefits of catching and eating these fish. I hope WDFW continues to move toward greater Kokanee stocking vs trout. Keep up the great work!

[@BC-ue3ku]

Few things feel better than switching the gear up and getting hit instantly. So satisfying. Nice day on the water with some quality fish!

[@joeladams338]

Thank you for all of your info. Don’t listen to them. More fisher people more money for the state more support to stock and support the fish. Keep it up.

[@pancakeface5717]

More kokanee is a good thing. Fewer salmon is a bad thing. More of either doesn't hurt the other. Thanks for the video!

[@out4rvnge930]

Open up a hunting season on seals and iI bet population in salmon increases. That is unless China builds more fishing boats to launch like they are planning on doing. Been wondering how many vessels grab as much as they can

[@pancakeface5717]

@@out4rvnge930 Your first point: absolutely. Your second point: absolutely. Just look at what they've been doing to Argentina: modern day pirates. Add my two cents: Salmon are vulnerable in so many (too many) ways to things humans do. And that's not a hopeful thing for salmon. The problems with seals is one we created and we need to fix it. I'll get off my soapbox, now. Thanks for reading.

[@stanfamoutdoors]

I think it is so funny how unhappy you get when you pick up a rainbow instead of your target species haha.

[@chadthiem8371]

either you will teach someone the RIGHT way like you have been doing. or people will learn the hard wrong way. thanks you for your videos man much appreciated. never gonna please everyone 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@galenstetson2160]

Really enjoy and appreciate your content. It’s been a game changer for me. I’m now confident enough to travel further to target larger Kokes than I have access to locally. Keep cranking out the lessons, Professor. Thank you

[@jjphelps8426]

I think you hit it right on the mark with the salmon year round haha. I've really enjoyed getting into it and your videos have been exceedingly helpful in being successful at it. I'm in BC and there are a growing number of lakes being stocked with Kokanee. In my region it seems like a lot of new lakes were stocked 3-4 years ago so the Kokanee they put in are just hitting that perfect size. I attempted ice fishing for Kokanee for the first time this year after I ran out of luck chasing trout and needed a change of pace. Decided to keep on going after them, it's been something I always wanted to try, and my wife loves to come out now and join me so I see it becoming a regular addition to my fishing adventures.

[@FougereFamilyAdventures]

Another great video. I love trying new lakes. There are so many lakes for us to fish here that I can't seem to fish them all in one year. Keep up the great work promoting the fishery.

[@ShenpaiWasTaken]

Awesome fish! Thanks again for putting your rods where we can see them! Always appreciate what you have to say!

[@kokanut92]

Love your scientiific approach. Keep it up, and thank you!

[@billyharville7721]

I love Kokanee Fishing. Learned all the basics from you... thanks

[@aadammarshall5709]

I always look forward to seeing your videos.

[@davidk2137]

You found a sweet spot. I can see the near future. Boat, boat, boat..... boat, and boat. I sure would love to see my state of Oregon add more lakes for Kokanee stocking. Thanks for the great vid. p.s. Those were mighty big Kokanee fry.

[@jeramyh9344]

Boat, boat, boat, boat and boat. I hate those days. Especially when they see you catching fish and they all try to pull in right behind you and follow your line.

[@siklegend]

It's crazy you have a whole boat setup on a kayak, must have cost $5k for all that gear. Pretty awesome

[@robertspence8649]

Love the channel, you really inspired me to go out on the kayak and fish. thank you!

[@MrJry2598]

Love the video, you have helped me catch my first Kokanee. Keep up the awesome videos.

[@dougkidd4799]

You are AWESOME. I have learned a lot. Thank you!

[@richardpogue4959]

Great video, it’s awesome that you’re able to travel around as much as you do and fish different waters. I fish Merwin and Riffe for kokes. Can’t wait to retire so I can travel around and fish new waters. Thanks for all the information you’ve provided it’s definitely made me a better fisherman.

[@jonlobello7151]

Just got back from my vacation last night...I went down to Ohio to visit high school buddies and to fish some old haunts where me and my Dad used to fish. I wanted to see the place one last time before returning to Washington State. Lake Pymatuning may not have any kokanees, but it does have nice walleye and perch, large and smallmouth bass, large bluegill and crappie and musky. It took me a day to refresh my memory and only caught 4 perch and a nice 'gill. The second day I witnessed a partial solar eclipse (that I didn't know about) while eating breaksfast and caught two keeper walleye and 9 jumbo perch, plus about 20 sublegal walleyes (all 14-1/2 inches long), so my goal was achieved. The whole trip was basically a stroll down "memory lane"and I'm certainly glad I did it. Lake Pymatuning sits on the Ohio/Pennsylvania line in North Eastern Ohio. It has a 20 horse outboard restriction, no water skiing or jet skis are allowed, is only partially developed with large wooded sections of shoreline and has been developed for fishing. It is one of Pennsylvania and Ohio greatess success stories. Fishing is just as good there today as it was when I was a kid.

[@doctt6639]

Love all that I have learned from your channel. Don’t ever let the negative few override the positive many.

[@jesparza602]

You were smoking em like usual! Great vid!

[@clayregina6212]

Awesome 👍

[@marktorsen6540]

Another good video 👍👍👍

[@northcountryhiker9525]

Your videos are awesome! Keep up the great work.

[@dgvern]

Thanks for the videos Tyler

[@reapergrim76]

Awesome!

[@tuenguyen7274]

Tyler, I learned a lot from your video. Over the weekend, I caught 4 Koke by using the Santiam rod with free weight set up at Lake Berryessa, California. Thank you

[@spiltmilt]

That's awesome

[@jonathanproctor690]

You are the man!

[@pdx25rsti]

with regard to color change... I had the exact same thing happen to me last week at Yale. I switched from a pink lure to an orange lure and had a fish almost instantly. then got a limit in the boat on the orange. :)

[@rynobratton]

Im sure you're getting a lot of love mail from this one lol! Great video, fish on 👌

[@nathankelly-xt8te]

Man ur so good at fishing two rods. When I fish two or more rods I always forget about the second one. Lol

[@valorgod8511]

Oregon needs more Kokanee with these poor salmon returns year after year, you’re out here speaking pure facts.

[@pancakeface5717]

Agreed on all points, but would sure like to see a turnaround on the salmon returns. IMHO everything about more salmon is good. Good to catch, good and healthy to eat, they don't require lots of resource inputs like livestock, and so on. Just sayin'.

[@yourplayin]

There are some great places for Kokanee. There’s Green Peter, Detroit lake, Odell lake, Timothy and many more. Also, on a few of these lakes the daily limit is 30 per person.

[@tylerdurden1787]

@@yourplayin And don't forget Wallowa Lake ... biggest Kokanee in the world caught here 9.67 pounds!

[@yourplayin]

@@tylerdurden1787 It’s definitely on my list of lakes. Just trying to find someone to make the 6 hour drive with me.

[@yourplayin]

@@tylerdurden1787 besides Merlin and Yale are there any other lakes that are with in a two hour drive from Vancouver WA? Looking for a spot that we haven’t been to yet.

[@kenw305]

Great content and plan on trying some of your techniques on my local lakes. Keep up the good work! Haters gonna hate…block them

[@Bykerboy26]

Limits of ten sheesh I wish we had limits like that in Utah there just isn't enough fish to support that. I truly enjoy the sport and have zero issue catching and releasing. I think far too many people go out and specifically look for limits. Love the videos! I've learned so much from your content. Thank you!

[@spiltmilt]

Most of our lakes are over stocked and those with natural reproduction are stunted due to overpopulation

[@johnspecht7449]

Just subscribed, so I have missed a lot of stuff and am probably just repeating what others have said. You have a tremendous channel. You do a super job of explaining what you are doing. Very helpful. As far as anyone that complains that you are giving up secret spots…….well ignore them. They are only part of the “me, me” world of complete idiots. Thank you for the great channel.

[@garyroenicke2102]

Great video and some nice fish. I began fishing for Kokanee in the late 80’s. Two local lakes here in N California, Bullards Bar had fish up to 17” and now the last 10 years a 13” fish is a nice one. At Stampede we use to get them to 20” in the 80’s and 90’s, now a 16” is a big one. Also I’ve caught King Salmon in our local river up to 50lbs and in a lake to 10lbs. As far as table fare, Kokanee much more tastier than Kings in either place. Thanks for the videos

[@timmoore6055]

Ah - an In and Out kokanee!

[@reedmoon3630]

Tyler, I hope someday you can take your Kokanee videos out of state. As an Idahoan, I'd love to see you try your luck on our lakes.

[@scottrouwhorst881]

Nice

[@ncalais09]

Seriously, you are awesome, got me into kayaking and kokanee, love the content! Also, you've mentioned looking for structure in lakes when fishing for kokanee. Do you tend to fish drop off areas for kokanee?

[@johnscottspencer]

Your netting skills are about as good as mine. Lost a big brown recently cause I suck at netting. Oh well. Part of the sport!

[@stevenpratt6600]

I was hoping you could make a video on how you set up your fish finder for kokanee.

[@robin8559]

Thanks for fishing the Skateboard. It was pretty hot for awhile. Can you list the brand of skateboard, up top? My go to is Dick Nite Silver Hammered UV coating. Thanks again for sharing.

[@briandees3178]

I fish at shaver lake, CA with a new pontoon boat “Dees Knots” it’s a great Kokanee lake and I have so much success based totally on your channel keep doing what you do buddy.

[@spiltmilt]

🤣love the boat name

[@briandees3178]

After my last name it was either that or “knot married” I feel like I choose correctly I average a fish every 20 minutes!!!

[@dallaswood4117]

Kokanee fishing is blowing up in Utah and they are stocking them everywhere used to just be causey reservoir strawberry and flaming gorge now they are in just about every trout fishery

[@spiltmilt]

That is great news!

[@NorthwestOpenSeason]

Those are just the people complaining because all they can catch are the participation trophies. 🤣That’s never going to get old.

[@ancienttechnology7337]

Your rig is so different than mine, I've always run a longer leader

[@BekahEmma]

Could you pick up a distinct thermocline? That is a great lake for a number of species. Decent crappie at the west end, good bass fishing and very nice perch.

[@spiltmilt]

No thermocline yet but it will form eventually

[@coreybellfaust7468]

I love the boat and set up. Do you have a video of this setup?

[@spiltmilt]

Here ya go! Rigging The Ultimate Fishing Kayak kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5XGkpiel9Copdk

[@speedingsemi3409]

06:40 wow you really set the hook on soft mouth fish.

[@spiltmilt]

It just failed to release from the downrigger the first time

[@jons5898]

What, no rod leashes ! After the water warms up a bit more I’ll have to see how hard it is to flip over my yak.

[@aaronhenry6694]

Hello, can you give some details on Kayak setup?

[@chrismccart3783]

Tyler, I fished that lake all the time as a kid with my dad. Glad to hear there are kokanee there now. Unrelated question. Have you fished for or ever caught Golden Trout? I know from past videos you do hit some of the high lakes.

[@spiltmilt]

I have plans to target them this year.

[@Chris-tw4jm]

Always gotta try that self release when a bow comes up😂 awesome video, love it man

[@Newtrous]

Do you continue fishing koks through the summer? Also, have you ever done a video on the down rigger you use? Looking to pick one up. Another great vid!

[@spiltmilt]

Absolutely. I fish Kokanee year round. Here is a video on the downrigger I use. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rICvcpiMhJV3bKc

[@Newtrous]

Caught my first Kokanee on Sunday! Lost a few at the boat (need a longer net) and had tons of bites! Thank you for making that possible Tyler.

[@landonf4066]

Nice man! Idk why but I have tried so many tactics to catch Kokanee at American lake(Lakewood, wa), but I have not caught one yet! All are trout.

[@landonf4066]

@Doug & Pauline how do you fish for them? Any tips?

[@landonf4066]

@Doug & Pauline I might go out this weekend

[@lindapatterson3491]

Landon, Try Alder Lake, dam to the no wake zone. Tried 3 time on American myself and just couldn't do it. Been very successful out at Alder.

[@matthewackerson7861]

Trolling slower helps catch Kokanee

[@jakedogfish241]

I wish the wdfw would plant more kokanee in lakes on the westside. They tend to only overplant a few lakes and some barely produce fisheries. They should plant 70% of lakes on the westside instead of 10%. Eastside management and food sources are much better.

[@ikashibimauler]

Dont worry about educating anglers. Kokes are a poster child of a "put and take" species. A population that is well managed can handle angling pressure really well. They are quite efficient from a management point of view.

[@spiltmilt]

Not necessarily there are many lakes that depend on wild spawning populations.

[@coreygrice3471]

Where are you putting those fish? Some live well? Won’t they be stressed? Wondering whether it’s better for the meat quality to bonk and bleed them versus live well. Your thoughts?

[@spiltmilt]

I think keeping them cold is the most important thing otherwise they get mushy. I generally only bonk the larger fish over 16"

[@JanThessen-nz8qm]

I see this video is 2021. You didn’t mention the name of the lake and I don’t see it listed I. don’t see it in the description. I don’t see a description period. Is this New Lake? My husband and I love to fish for Kokanee. We have a pontoon boat so need to have a good boat launch. We only have a few years of fishing left ( very seniors) but would like to try more lakes with easy access in western Washington south of Seattle. We will be watching your videos and sharing with our friends your experience and knowledge. We mostly fish Riffe Lake in Mossyrock (very rough waters frequently)as we usually have good luck there but want to look for other lakes where we can fish for Kokanee. Please respond with verification of the Lake I was guessing it’s name to be New Lake.

[@joshfee9768]

Hey! Is the yak for sale? I am local and would love to buy it! Love your videos!

[@spiltmilt]

No not for sale

[@milomarcille2488]

10 lake limit! Lets go

[@spiltmilt]

5 might be possible. 2 fish per

[@milomarcille2488]

@@spiltmilt So next video?

[@bobjohnson1268]

Do you use a Fish hawk TD every time you fish? Is it worth the expense when you already have what looks to be a very nice fish finder?

[@spiltmilt]

I relied on it heavily during this last trip when fish were scattered in the upper 20-30' of the water column and I wasn't marking anything. It gave me confidence that my gear was at the correct depth.

[@mlinder85]

How long do you prefer to wait before switching up dodger/lure?

[@spiltmilt]

It depends. If one rod is getting a lot of action I'll change in 15 minutes but more typically a half hour

[@jeramyh9344]

Before I even read his reply I said to myself 30 minutes.

[@pdx25rsti]

Hi. I live on the west side in woodland. Yale and Merwin are my closest lakes for kokanee. My wife and I want to do some camping and check out some new lakes on the east side. Could you recommend 3 for us to try?

[@spiltmilt]

Giant Kokanee: Lake Roosevelt (Keller's Ferry or Spring Canyon for camping) Canyonland Kokanee: Deep Lake camp at Dry Falls SP or Sun Lakes Resort Bonaparte Lake: cool temperatures, nesting loons, great private and USFS campgrounds, and a restaurant right on the lake

[@pdx25rsti]

@@spiltmilt thanks!! I really appreciate it. 🙂

[@kayakangler7683]

What lakes has WDFW starting stocking with Kokanee?

[@spiltmilt]

Check the stocking reports but several in my area in recent past including Wapato and Curlew.

[@spodee55]

Are those add on depth/line counters? Can you link?

[@spiltmilt]

They are not add on.

[@larrysheets3264]

What lake was that? I have the same set up, sportsman 120 even have an electric down rigger! Haha

[@spiltmilt]

Wapato

[@adventureanglingpnw1821]

I hate people who think the rivers or lakes are there's and try to chase you off because they've never seen you there before. Idc what they say, but if that land says public than I'm fishing it.

[@timross7046]

You are some of the reason but all outdoor activities and fishing is way up . I say it's because so many people are home drawing paychecks rather than having to go to work .

[@hectorhinojosa5168]

Question? Do you think you would miss less kokanne with a rubber snubber??

[@spiltmilt]

No.

[@hectorhinojosa5168]

😆 😆

[@Steve-bi2rd]

What your favorite scent for kokanee

[@spiltmilt]

Depends on the time of year kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHK8kGaKoLqdhsk

[@mattturner65]

Why does merwin have bigger fish than yale? P.s. love your videos.

[@spiltmilt]

Lower in the systems so a little warmer and more productive and less competition as most of the fish are hatchery plants

[@stingray4540]

Spilt milt video: catching big rainbows! Also spilt milt video: Fing rainbows...

[@spiltmilt]

Not all Rainbows are created equal LOL

[@stingray4540]

@@spiltmilt oh? What makes a rainbow worth catching or not to you? Size? Whether you are targeting it or not? Stock vs wild?

[@nicksenones205]

Yes your channel is growing, and so is kokanee fishing some what due to your youtube, BUT for the most part I think its just the HUGE population explosion here, since i have been here in 89', the population has exploded to about 8 million from 4.8 million. That's getting near a 200% increase in the amount of humans here. If anyone wants to complain about why things are degrading, complain about the people having 4+ kids.

[@eddygarcia8814]

Have you ever fished antilon lake?

[@spiltmilt]

Just posted a video a few weeks back from that lake

[@eddygarcia8814]

@@spiltmilt thank you for you're videos! I'm a chelan local and really enjoy these videos. Fished antilon yesterday and caught 3 brown trout! New subscriber here keep up the great work!

[@jameslee-gq2eo]

What downriver do you use

[@spiltmilt]

Cannon easy troll

[@stephenhayden3334]

What new lake is this .That's all I fish for 40 years love Rather catch them than big fish.

[@pjm8866]

Can you run a gas powered motor on wapato?

[@spiltmilt]

Yes

[@markwilliams4215]

What lake was this?

[@coreybellfaust7468]

Also you said "another diseased trout". What did you mean by this? I want to do more fishing in that area and I love trout. Is there something wrong with the trout up in Chelan area?

[@spiltmilt]

A lot of our trout have severe parasite infections.

[@coreybellfaust2154]

@@spiltmilt is that just at Wapato or is that Chelan as well?

[@jacobmahoney6764]

Is that a public boat launch right there off Wapato Rd?

[@spiltmilt]

Yes

[@jacobmahoney6764]

@@spiltmilt awesome, I'm possibly going to be there Wed morning 🤞

[@jacobmahoney6764]

I went out there last Saturday and went 9-14! Had such a good time, thanks for the advice! We caught 3 spawners which were nice and big with some large humps, they were a lot of fun to catch!

[@gregorypeters7932]

What lake?

[@jessetharp6319]

Do you bonk and or bleed your Kokanee? So many people in the salmon world swear by it.

[@spiltmilt]

Koke over 16" I do bleed but with smaller fish I don't bother and notice very little difference in taste.

[@mikhailogorodnik164]

It will be very nice of you to mention the name of the lakes Then I will put more likes

[@buckybiamont1657]

Is the new lake a secret?

[@spiltmilt]

A secret to those who don't read the description. ;-)

[@buckybiamont1657]

@@spiltmilt that's funny, I'll have to have my kid show me how to get to the description. I am lucky to have figured out how to make a comment or reply

[@stinger76262]

Diseased rainbow???

[@out4rvnge930]

Take it you dislike Rainbows?

[@spiltmilt]

Only when I'm targeting Kokanee. 🤣😂

[@out4rvnge930]

@@spiltmilt 😂😂😂😂😂👍

[@jeramyh9344]

For me Rainbows are my fall back fish. I only ever target Rainbows when I cant dial in on any other fish.

[@spinfish-4355]

I'd rather catch nothing than catch Cutthroat trout here in Utah. At least Rainbows put up a fight!