By Coey Coulson
If you’ve ever dreamed of catching sockeye salmon in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, let me tell you about Baker Lake. I’m Coey Coulson, and as Mack’s Lure Pro Staff, I’ve spent years chasing fish in all kinds of waters. But there’s something special about Baker Lake—something that keeps me coming back season after season. Today, I want to take you through my journey, my favorite gear, and the little tricks that have helped me land more socks than I can count.
Baker Lake is tucked into the Cascade Mountains, surrounded by forests and snow-capped peaks. It’s not just the scenery that draws me in—it’s the sockeye. Over the past seven years, I’ve watched this fishery transform. Thanks to improvements in the Baker River hydroelectric project, sockeye returns have exploded, making this one of the most reliable and exciting fisheries in the region.
The fishing season officially opens in late April and runs through October, but the real magic happens in July and August. That’s when the adult sockeye are released into the lake, and the action heats up. I always tell fellow anglers, “If you want to catch sockeye without the crowds and pressure of the big rivers, Baker Lake is your spot.”
I’m a firm believer that you don’t need fancy gear to catch fish, but you do need the right gear. Over the years, I’ve tried just about every rod, reel, and lure combination out there. These days, I’ve settled on a setup that’s reliable, affordable, and—most importantly—effective.
Let’s start with rods and reels. My go-to combo is the Bass Pro Depthmaster 8’6” downrigger rod paired with a matching reel. I’ve had mine for three years now, and it’s still going strong. It’s smooth, durable, and perfect for the kind of trolling we do at Baker Lake. For anglers who want a little more performance, I also use a Lamiglas 8’2” downrigger rod with a Shimano Tekota reel. That setup is a dream—smoother and more powerful, but honestly, the Depthmaster gets the job done just as well for most people at a fraction of the cost.
Downriggers are a must for getting your gear down to the fish. I run two Scotty 1106 downriggers with 200 lb braid and a 4-pound ball mounted on my 2013 Crestliner 1650 Fish Hawk. It’s not the fanciest boat, but it’s reliable and gets me where I need to go. Baker Lake is one of the few lakes that is safe for almost all watercraft including small jon boats and kayaks. It’s very newbie-friendly.
For electronics, I rely on Garmin EchoMap fish finders—a 93sv and a 73sv. These help me locate fish and structure, which is especially important when the sockeye are in big schools or holding deep when the temperature rises.
Power is another key consideration. I use a 100Ah Amped Outdoors battery for my trolling motor and an Interstate Dual Purpose battery for my electronics and downriggers to keep them running all day, even when I’m out trolling for multiple hours.
Now, let’s talk about what gets the sockeye fired up: flashers and dodgers. I’ve tried just about every type and color out there, but I always start with two favorites—the Sling Blade and the Double D Dodger. Last year, the Sling Blade was absolutely money, but in previous years, the Double D was the ticket. I like to bend the blade slightly for more action.
Tip: The bigger the bend, the more erratic the movement, and that’s exactly what you want at Baker Lake’s slow trolling speeds.
Color is another variable I like to play with. Silver is always a safe bet, but last year, pink was the hot color. I’ve caught fish on just about every color, though, so I always keep a few options in my tackle box. Sometimes, I’ll even add a small light to my flasher, especially if I’m fishing before sunrise. That little extra flash can make all the difference on those early mornings.
When it comes to lures and bait, I keep it simple. I use Smile Blades with beads and two hooks, usually in pink or red. Pink is my favorite—pink blade, pink beads, red hook. I’ve also had success with white blades and red hooks. The key is to keep your leader short—about 10-12 inches. At Baker Lake, you’re trolling so slowly that a short leader helps your lure get more action.
For bait, I use cured coon stripe shrimp, usually pink or red. I pull the head off and thread one piece onto one hook. I’ve tried bigger and smaller pieces, but last year, smaller seemed to work better.
I always tell new anglers, “Don’t overcomplicate it. Sockeye aren’t picky, but they do like a little flash and a little scent.”
Here’s how I rig up for a typical day at Baker Lake. First, I get my rods ready. I like to have two rigged with the Bass Pro Depthmasters and two with the Lamiglas/Shimano or Okuma combos. I prefer the 8’2” rods for easier handling, especially when I’m fishing solo or from a kayak.
Next, I clip a Sling Blade on one rod and a Double D Dodger on the other. I bend them for more action and sometimes add a light for early morning fishing. Then, I tie on a short leader—about 10-12 inches—with a hoochie or spinner. Pink is my first choice, but I’m not afraid to switch if the fish aren’t biting.
For bait, I thread a piece of cured shrimp onto one hook. I keep my setup simple and efficient, so I can spend more time fishing and less time fiddling with gear.
Once I’m on the water, I set my downriggers to the depth where I’m marking fish—usually 35 to 45 feet, but sometimes shallower in the early morning. I keep my trolling speed slow, around 0.8 mph. That’s the magic number for Baker Lake sockeye.
One of my favorite things about Baker Lake is the early morning bite. I always try to be on the water before sunrise. There’s something magical about watching the sun come up over the mountains, and the fishing is usually best in the first hour or two of daylight.
I use my fish finder to locate schools of sockeye. They’re often found at 35 to 45 feet, but sometimes they’ll come up shallower in the morning. I like to keep an eye on my electronics and adjust my depth as needed.
Flexibility is key. If the fish aren’t biting, I’ll switch up my lure color or add a light to my flasher. Sometimes, a small change makes all the difference. I always tell my fishing buddies, “Don’t be afraid to experiment. The fish will tell you what they want.”
Another tip I’ve learned over the years is to pay attention to where the other boats are, but not to be afraid to venture away from the crowd. The fleet is usually a good indicator of where the fish are, but I’ve caught some of my best fish away from the pack.
Sometimes, all it takes is a little extra effort to find that quiet spot along the shore where the sockeye are waiting.
One of the great things about Baker Lake is that two-pole fishing is allowed. I always take advantage of this rule to double my chances. It’s a great way to cover more water and try different setups at the same time.
No matter how good your setup is, there are days when the fish just aren’t cooperating. When that happens, I start by changing my lure color or adding a light to my flasher. Sometimes, the fish are just picky, and a small tweak is all it takes to turn things around.
If I’m getting follows but no solid hookups, I’ll try shortening my leader or switching to a smaller lure. Sockeye can be finicky, especially when the water is clear or the pressure is high. A smaller, more subtle presentation can make all the difference.
Wind can be both a blessing and a curse. On windy days, the baitfish and sockeye often move closer to shore. I use this to my advantage by trolling parallel to the shoreline, letting the wind and waves help impart action to my lure.
One of my favorite memories from last year was a morning when the bite was tough. I’d been out for a few hours without much action, so I decided to switch things up. I put on a pink hootchie with a short lead and added a light to my flasher. Within minutes, I was into a double. That’s the kind of magic that keeps me coming back to Baker Lake.
I also remember a day when I ventured away from the fleet and found a quiet spot along the eastern shore. I marked a few fish and dropped my gear down. It wasn’t long before I had a sockeye in the net. Sometimes, the best fishing is where the crowds aren’t.
I’ve had plenty of tough days, too. Days when the weather was rough, or the fish just weren’t biting. But even on those days, I try to learn something new. I’ll experiment with different colors, depths, and speeds, and I’ll pay attention to what the other successful anglers are doing.
As much as I love catching sockeye, I also believe in protecting the resource for future generations. I always make sure tofollow the regulations and practice good fish handling. I also check my boat and gear for invasive species before and after every trip. It’s a small thing, but it makes a big difference.
Baker Lake is a special place, and I want to make sure it stays that way for years to come. I encourage all anglers to do their part—respect the fish, respect the lake, and respect each other.
Baker Lake is one of the best places in the Pacific Northwest to catch sockeye salmon. You don’t need expensive gear or a fancy boat—just a solid setup, a willingness to adapt, and a love for the outdoors. The fishery is open from late April to October, but the real sockeye action is in July and August.
I always tell new anglers, “Baker Lake is a great place to learn and to have fun. The fish are there, the scenery is beautiful, and the people are friendly. What more could you ask for?”
So, grab your gear, get out early, and give my setup a try. I promise you’ll have a blast—and you might just land the fish of a lifetime. If you have questions, let me know. I am happy to help you catch more fish.
I’m Coey Coulson, Mack’s Lure Pro Staff member and tournament-winning angler. I’ve spent years chasing fish all over the country, but Baker Lake holds a special place in my heart.
For more of my pro fishing tips and tactics, check out Country Boy 360 - YouTube channel.
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