Late Summer Kokanee Gold on Lake Chelan

The morning mist was just lifting off Lake Chelan’s pristine waters when three of the Pacific Northwest’s most respected fishing authorities gathered for what would become an unforgettable lesson in late-season kokanee angling. Dr. Richy Harrod, the PhD-holding ecosystem scientist and outdoor writing legend, joined forces with Bobby Loomis, the veteran tackle expert from Mack’s Lure, and Jeff Witkowski, the pioneering guide from Darrell & Dad’s Family Guide Service, to demonstrate why Lake Chelan remains the crown jewel of Washington’s kokanee fisheries.

The Pioneers of Year-Round Kokanee Fishing

Jeff Witkowski has revolutionized kokanee fishing on Lake Chelan by being the first guide to successfully target these landlocked sockeye salmon throughout the entire year. His innovative approach to winter kokanee fishing has opened up opportunities that most anglers never knew existed. “Most anglers think kokanee fishing ends in summer,” Witkowski explains, “but these fish are feeding year-round if you know where to find them”.

Dr. Richy Harrod brings over 20 years of kokanee fishing experience across five states and British Columbia to the equation. His scientific background, combined with practical field experience, has made him one of the most sought-after kokanee fishing educators in the Northwest. The Northwest Outdoor Writers Association honored him with their Outdoor Writing Legacy Award in 2018, recognizing his contributions to fishing education through 66 hunting and fishing TV shows and numerous articles.

Bobby Loomis, with his deep roots at Mack’s Lure since the company’s legendary days dating back to 1969, represents decades of tackle innovation and fishing expertise. His family connection to the original G. Loomis rod company, combined with his current role at Mack’s Lure, gives him unparalleled insight into the gear that consistently produces results.

The Upper Lake Chelan Advantage

The trio focused their efforts on the upper portion of Lake Chelan, a decision backed by Witkowski’s years of pattern recognition on this massive 55-mile-long, 1,400-foot-deep lake. Late summer presents unique opportunities as kokanee schools become more predictable in their movements, often holding in specific depth zones that experienced anglers can target with precision.

Depth: The Critical Factor

The key to consistent success lies in understanding the relationship between water depth and fish location. Witkowski has discovered that kokanee don’t just suspend at certain depths; they’re also highly dependent on the total water depth beneath them. “We found fish at 100 feet down, but only when we were trolling in 400 feet of water,” he explains. “Move to 350 feet of water depth, and the bite shuts off completely”.

This depth relationship varies with conditions. Sunlight penetration, thermocline positioning, and plankton distribution all influence where kokanee will hold on any given day. Successful anglers must be willing to adjust their downrigger depths while also paying attention to their sonar readings for total water depth.

Tackle Selection: Proven Combinations

The fishing trio relied heavily on Mack’s Lure products, with good reason. Bobby Loomis has spent decades perfecting lure designs specifically for kokanee, and the day’s success proved the effectiveness of their approach.

Dodgers and Attractors

6-inch Sling Blade dodgers formed the backbone of their trolling spread, chosen for their consistent action and fish-attracting flash. The team experimented with various kokanee-specific color patterns, allowing the fish to dictate their preferences throughout the day.

Terminal Lures

The standout performer was the chartreuse yellow Koke-A-Nut, enhanced with a small smile blade attached to the front for additional action and flash. This modification, typical of Witkowski’s attention to detail, demonstrates how small adjustments can make significant differences in lure effectiveness.

Scent: The Secret Weapon

No kokanee setup is complete without proper scenting, and the team’s approach was methodical. Using shoepeg corn as a base bait, they enhanced it with Mack's Bloody Tuna scent by Pro Cure. This combination has proven deadly effective on Lake Chelan.

Witkowski’s preparation process involves soaking corn kernels with Pro-Cure’s Wizards Kokanee Killer Korn Magic powder first, allowing them to toughen up in the refrigerator for several days before adding the liquid scents. This two-step process ensures maximum scent retention and hook-holding power.

Pro-Cure Bait Sauce was also applied directly to dodgers, creating an extensive scent trail to attract fish from greater distances. This technique transforms each lure into a multi-sensory attractant that appeals to kokanee’s heightened sense of smell.

Trolling Techniques: Speed and Pattern

Kokanee, being landlocked sockeye salmon, prefer slower presentations than many other species. The optimal trolling speed falls between 1.2 to 1.4 mph, requiring precise boat control and constant monitoring of GPS speed readings.

Pattern selection proves equally important. Rather than following predictable shoreline routes, successful kokanee anglers employ zigzag or figure-eight trolling patterns. This approach keeps lures in productive fish zones longer while triggering strikes from following fish.

Don’t just troll in straight lines,” advises Witkowski. “If you get a strike, you need to stay in that area and work it thoroughly. Too many anglers get a bite, then troll right past the school thinking the bite has turned off.

Electronics: The Modern Advantage

Quality sonar units have become indispensable for consistent kokanee success, particularly in Lake Chelan’s deep waters. The ability to mark fish schools, track downrigger balls, and monitor lure action in real-time separates successful anglers from those who rely purely on luck.

During late summer conditions, kokanee often suspend in the 100-250 foot range, making visual fish location impossible without electronics. The team’s success depended heavily on their ability to adjust lure depths to match exact fish locations marked on sonar.

Conservation Ethics

Despite the potential for limit catches, all three anglers emphasized the importance of selective harvest. Witkowski, in particular, advocates for releasing smaller, younger fish to ensure strong future year classes. “We caught plenty of fish, but we focused on harvesting the right size class,” he explains. This approach ensures the fishery’s long-term sustainability while still providing excellent table fare.

The Lake Chelan Experience

Beyond the fishing techniques, the day highlighted Lake Chelan’s unique character as an angling destination. The lake’s year-round fishing opportunities, combined with its scenic beauty and accessibility, make it an ideal testing ground for kokanee techniques that work throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Mixed bag opportunities add excitement to every trip. While targeting kokanee, anglers frequently encounter Chinook salmon, cutthroat trout, and even mackinaw (lake trout). These bonus species provide variety and keep every cast interesting.

Expert Insights for Success

The combined expertise of Harrod, Loomis, and Witkowski offers several key takeaways for serious kokanee anglers:

Timing Matters: Late summer kokanee fishing can be exceptionally productive, but success requires understanding seasonal patterns and fish behavior changes.

Technology Integration: Modern electronics aren’t optional, they’re essential for locating suspended schools in deep water and matching lure depths precisely to fish marks.

Fine-Tune Your Spread: A combination of dodgers, small smile blades, and brightly colored attractors—rigged at varying distances behind the boat—creates a multi-depth, multi-sensory presentation that triggers strikes from both aggressive and neutral kokanee.

Commit to Conservation: Selective harvest ensures strong future returns. Target fish in the optimal size range and release juveniles and brood stock to protect the resource for generations of anglers.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a seasoned guide or an aspiring angler, embracing these proven strategies will elevate your kokanee game and deepen your appreciation for one of the Northwest’s premier fisheries.

Listen to the WAO Podcast - Kokanee Fishing on Lake Chelan