Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: colin6101 on February 28, 2011, 10:21:35 PM

Title: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: colin6101 on February 28, 2011, 10:21:35 PM
Anyone know the ice conditions at Kawkawa now that March is approaching. I'm sure it is still frozen but was wondering if anyone has been able to tell how close it is to thawing out (assuming that we don't get another cold snap like last weekend).
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: Rodney on February 28, 2011, 10:29:12 PM
This morning I was informed that it refroze on the weekend, so give it another week.
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: colin6101 on February 28, 2011, 11:24:05 PM
Awesome, thanks for the update Rod!
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: vancook on February 28, 2011, 11:59:24 PM
thanks for the thread, good to know. I am determined to do some Kokanee fishing this March...I may not have a boat but I will find a way..or gain the kindness of strangers somehow lol
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: BCfisherman97 on March 01, 2011, 03:47:09 PM
I have never fished it right after the opening. How is the fishing right when they open it?
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: colin6101 on March 01, 2011, 04:24:11 PM
It's usually a decent fishery when it opens. The nice thing about getting out there in march is the lack of speedboats on the lake. I actually managed to catch a couple nice cutties there last year at the beginning of march as well.
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: vancook on March 02, 2011, 12:26:42 AM
One of rods videos from last march
http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=CA#/watch?xl=xl_blazer&v=o-r96Zntl8k
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: colin6101 on March 02, 2011, 12:49:05 AM
That video link you posted did not work for me. I think this is the one you were trying to post though.
http://www.youtube.com/user/fishingwithrod#p/search/3/HAi8_J6BHpQ
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: Rodney on March 02, 2011, 12:56:00 AM
No that one is terrible, nobody should be texting and fishing. ;D

Try this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-r96Zntl8k

Fishing can be good for them either on the surface or near the bottom during this time of the year, depending on sunlight, temperature, etc.
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: vancook on March 02, 2011, 01:23:45 AM
No that one is terrible, nobody should be texting and fishing. ;D

Try this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-r96Zntl8k

Fishing can be good for them either on the surface or near the bottom during this time of the year, depending on sunlight, temperature, etc.
Yes that was the link I tried to post. Damn iPhone browser.
:)
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: adecadelost on March 02, 2011, 10:34:13 AM
Anyone know of a good place to camp by the lake that allows dogs?
Would be nice to haul the camper and boat up for a weekend in march.
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: VAGAbond on March 02, 2011, 12:34:17 PM
I have read that there are coho in that lake.     Are they plentiful?

I understand they are no retention.     I want to take an associate who has never caught any of our local trout or salmon and I need to tell him exactly what to let go after I turn him loose on his pontoon.    Kokanee have no spots, cutties have a red slash, rainbows and coho have spots and so could be confused by a beginner.    I have never seen one of these landlocked(?) coho.   Does anybody have a picture?
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: Rodney on March 02, 2011, 12:40:20 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CY7XxDwWZcU

I'll find some photos later.
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: rhino on March 02, 2011, 05:39:54 PM
I have read that there are coho in that lake.     Are they plentiful?

I understand they are no retention.     I want to take an associate who has never caught any of our local trout or salmon and I need to tell him exactly what to let go after I turn him loose on his pontoon.    Kokanee have no spots, cutties have a red slash, rainbows and coho have spots and so could be confused by a beginner.    I have never seen one of these landlocked(?) coho.   Does anybody have a picture?
I'm sure with some research and photos from rod you will figure it out out. However  if your buddy is in doubt best to release the fish I would think. Good luck
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: BNF861 on March 05, 2011, 05:40:18 PM
I was in the area today, so I popped down to the lake for a quick look.

As you can see by this picture taken from the boat launch, the lake is frozen over still. The ice isn't too thick though by the looks and has slush on top. The ice is less thick towards the opposide with a couple very small water spots appearing. Still going to be a little bit. Last year is was fishable right from the opening.

(http://i54.tinypic.com/2ajqgbl.jpg)
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: Rodney on March 07, 2011, 08:03:58 PM
3/4 still has ice on it as of today.
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: colin6101 on March 08, 2011, 12:59:44 AM
Thanks for the updates! Saves me a long drive just to look at some ice.
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: colin6101 on March 10, 2011, 03:50:29 PM
Fished Kawkawa today! Had to launch from the campground side but the lake was 75% ice free.
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: BCfisherman97 on March 10, 2011, 03:56:02 PM
How was the fishing?
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: colin6101 on March 10, 2011, 04:24:14 PM
Good but frustrating. The water was really thick with feed so although there were fish jumping all over the place it was tough to entice them. Rained really hard for a good hour or so out there today too.
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: one more cast on March 10, 2011, 04:33:27 PM
What kind of feed were they going after and did you land any?
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: colin6101 on March 10, 2011, 10:24:36 PM
Landed a couple smaller guys (8" or so). There was a hatch going on I couldn't really identify and loads of chironomids in the water (light brown with red rib were the most predominant).
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: camtheman on March 11, 2011, 10:46:16 PM
just talked to my uncle and he says the lake is ice free
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: BCfisherman97 on March 16, 2011, 03:02:05 PM
Anyone been up there lately?
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: colin6101 on March 16, 2011, 04:53:21 PM
Not since last week but I am going to give it another try tomorrow, I'll let you know how I do!
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: Butch1949 on March 18, 2011, 03:54:30 PM
Collin: any report on Kawkawa as yet, would like to hear asap as my 15 year old is out of school on "Spring Break" and he loves Kawkawa......thx
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: BCfisherman97 on March 18, 2011, 04:25:51 PM
Its on the Fishing Reports section
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: canso on March 18, 2011, 05:33:44 PM
Collin: any report on Kawkawa as yet, would like to hear asap as my 15 year old is out of school on "Spring Break" and he loves Kawkawa......thx
Go for it, it’s early and fish are on the bottom.
Most are using krill or trolling the usual kokanee stuff.
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: Rodney on March 18, 2011, 10:37:05 PM
Collin: any report on Kawkawa as yet, would like to hear asap as my 15 year old is out of school on "Spring Break" and he loves Kawkawa......thx

It is definitely worth going out now. As Canso mentioned, fish are biting on the bottom so as long as you get your bait or fly to the depth where they are, it should be a good day.
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: strobes on March 19, 2011, 09:24:10 AM
We are on our way as i am typing this. Will let you guys know how it goes later tonite.
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: strobes on March 19, 2011, 03:58:47 PM
Well we just left kawkawa and it was not a complete failure. There were half a dozen or so other boats on the lake and from the others we talked to they had no action. We tried all levels of water, trolling, and just dropping our krill straight down. We were able to catch one nice little Kokanee but that was it. The worst part of the day came when we got back to the boat launch to see some dead and gutted kokanees that were just tossed back in the water, a sad waste.
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: colin6101 on March 19, 2011, 05:35:20 PM
Wow I can't imagine why anyone would do that.  That is such a waste and I hope someone left them behind by accident because I honestly can't think of any reason for tossing back dead fish you can legally keep. I've definitely seen that with salmon before but that was people harvesting them for their roe.
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: strobes on March 19, 2011, 06:31:19 PM
They were definitely not left by accident. One was tossed about 15 feet off the launch and the other about 10. It is such a waste.
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: Fisherama on March 19, 2011, 10:00:38 PM
A buddy and I headed up to Kawkawa today as well, but we didn't really know what we were doing and got skunked.  Didn't sound like others were having much luck either...  Thought I saw Rod leaving early in the morning  :D but might have been mistaken.
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: Rodney on March 20, 2011, 12:30:02 AM
I wish it was me, but our first trip will have to wait just a bit longer. ;D :-\

We've had a couple of frustrating days like this. Sometimes the best thing to do is just to spend a bit of time at each spot and fish the bottom until you find fish. Sometimes a small move would change from no fish to the discovery of a big school of biting fish. 30 to 45ft have been best for us when they are not at the top.
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: BCfisherman97 on March 20, 2011, 12:33:23 AM
Heading out tomorrow, let you know how I do.
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: strobes on March 20, 2011, 08:23:05 AM
Hey fisherama what where you fishing out of. Were you the guys using the downriggers in the green boat?  I have also decided that I am blaming yesterday's poor results on the supermoon. :)
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: Fisherama on March 20, 2011, 10:08:09 AM
No we were the two guys struggling to fit into an 8ft inflatable and who were too lazy to row more than 100 ft past the dock  :D
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: Butch1949 on March 21, 2011, 05:45:12 PM
Good of you to report Strobes, can't believe someone would treat such beautiful fish as these or any for that manner in such a manner as to cast a doubt on Humanity
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: BCfisherman97 on March 21, 2011, 06:20:10 PM
Unfortunately I didn't end up going, dad was too tired to wake up in the morning  ::)  :-\
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: Ned on March 23, 2011, 08:47:07 PM
Wound up there today - what a gorgeous day! Didn't get past the pier, but talked to several boaters coming back in. In all, 1 boat had one Kokanee. Others still out there (float tubers) had some success. Beautiful spot, and they were jumping ...
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: fishgutz63 on March 23, 2011, 10:19:13 PM
got out today lots of fish jumping and feeding about 15 to 20 feet trolling san juan worm  landed five lost many more .great day  many others out there doing well also  , get out there if you can you wont be disappointed  :)
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: BCfisherman97 on March 25, 2011, 06:12:29 PM
Any recent reports?
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: Butch1949 on March 29, 2011, 04:47:46 PM
Fishgutz63, I've been out on Kawkawa a few times where it seemed like 1,000 fish surfacing and jumping simultaneously, not one bite ??? ???
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: Rodney on March 29, 2011, 05:37:15 PM
When they're jumping all around the boat, you need to be either float fishing with krill just several feet below the surface or fly fish with a small chironomid pattern under an indicator.
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: BCfisherman97 on March 29, 2011, 05:43:31 PM
Stripping micro leaches and spratleys worked for me. Also had a few come up and take a small dry when they are feeding on the surface.
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: Spooner on March 29, 2011, 07:42:04 PM
Ive found the old wedding band and worm works like a charm.Tried it when nothing else would and the kids pounded them!!!!
 ;D
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: Butch1949 on April 03, 2011, 02:31:29 PM
I've heard they like maggots , never used them myself before , and I heard if the maggots are live all the better, anyone :-\ know a) where to get live maggots, b) how to set them on the hook?
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: rjs on April 03, 2011, 07:53:12 PM
I've heard they like maggots , never used them myself before , and I heard if the maggots are live all the better, anyone :-\ know a) where to get live maggots, b) how to set them on the hook?

u should be able to get live maggots at pet stores !
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: canso on April 03, 2011, 08:54:11 PM
I just hook maggots threw the end, and then they stay alive and wiggle, every fish, I add another until there is a decent chunk of moving meat.  Never used them here, only interior and kootenays, not sure where to get them around locally.

Worms are very productive in this area. I know the fly guy's will hate this but, I use a hook and a worm on my fly rod with full sink, trolling as slow as possible (.7-.9mph) if you want the worm to have action put a kink in the hook and the worm will have a slow roll.
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: azafai on April 05, 2011, 10:26:35 AM


is a tube like fish-cat and similar good enough or safe enough for Kawkawa lake?
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: Rodney on April 05, 2011, 10:51:55 AM
It should be ok as long as it is not too choppy, but it'll be cold...

Here are a few photos of crafts that you find on Kawkawa Lake.

(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2008/080322-6.jpg)
Trophy Hunter pumping air to keep himself floating.

(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2009/090326-05.jpg)
Marco on a Powerdrifter.
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: HOOK on April 05, 2011, 10:53:47 AM
nice to see he is wearing a PFD in that Vboat  ::) and with a leak !!!
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: Clarki Hunter on April 05, 2011, 05:45:10 PM
Awesome pic of Marco!  You should start a caption thread!
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: bbronswyk2000 on April 05, 2011, 06:50:00 PM
Awesome pic of Marco!  You should start a caption thread!

Looks like his hat is on fire
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: Fish Assassin on April 05, 2011, 09:25:15 PM
Looks like his hat is on fire

It is ;D
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: NiceFish on April 05, 2011, 09:32:17 PM
Some anglers get really hot headed when they miss a few bites
Title: Re: Kawkawa Ice off
Post by: Butch1949 on April 08, 2011, 05:15:23 PM
Thanks Ris and Canso......and thanks Rodney....awesome photos............I just love Kawkawa, get hypnotized everytime I'm out on the water there, started with a 12' Achilles w/ electric motor , now have 14' Mysty River w/ 30 horse and the electric......man, the electric is just fine for that lake, catch lots of Koke's w/ Krill on willow leaf w/ wedding band then krill, want to try maggots tho, and flasher ahead of it all :P