Billy Chinook Reports 1999

August 11 to September 10, 1999

Lake Billy Chinook kokanee fishing has remained moderately good all year. The anglers are still averaging approximately 1 fish/angler hour, and the average size has increased slightly to 12 inches. Fishing the Metolius arm of the lake has produced the largest catches, but jigging on the upper Metolius has begun producing many prespawning kokanee. These kokanee have taken on a dark olive green color and will soon be charging up the Metolius river to spawn. Many anglers have chosen to troll just below the houses on the Metolius arm and they have done very well. Chinook Island and the lower Metolius arm have also been producing many kokanee, but the kokanee are averaging about 10 inches in the lower reaches. The Deschutes and Crooked River arms have also been producing many kokanee, again on average about 10 inches. The lower Crooked River arm and the Lower Deschutes arm have had the most success. Please remember that the Metolius arm of Lake Billy Chinook requires a Tribal permit. Also there have been many anglers snagging and keeping their fish. All snagged fish must be released, as well as any bull trout under 24 inches.
This report submitted by Chris Kern - representing the ODFW

June 26 to July 18, 1999

Lake Billy Chinook Kokanee fishing has definately picked up in the last several weeks. The catch per angler hour (.8) has increased greatly over the last several weeks, and the average size of 10.25 is also increasing. The Metolius arm has produced the most Kokanee as well as the largest kokanee. Anglers have been most successful using ford fenders with wedding rings and white corn. Some anglers have also been jigging using buzzbombs. Please remember that the Metolius arm requires a Tribal permit to fish.
This report submitted by Steve Thiesfeld - biologist for the ODFW

June 26, 1999

Lake Billy Chinook kokanee fishing has started to pick up now that the sun has made its way out. Although the catch per hour numbers remain low, .25 fish/angler hour, the last week has seen a significant increase in the number of kokanee caught. The kokanee have averaged 10.5 inches in the month of June, with a range of 7" to 15". The best fishing seems to be occurring early in the morning on the lower Deschutes arm as well as the lower arm of the Metolius. Fishing the upper Metolius in the morning and evenings has produced smaller numbers of kokanee caught, but these fish range from 12" to 15" on average. Please remember that fishing on the Metolius arm requires a Tribal Permit, which can be purchased at several local stores and the marinas. Good luck and happy fishing.
This report submitted by Steve Thiesfeld - biologist for the ODFW

May 27, 1999

Fishing in Lake Billy Chinook has been very slow lately.  Not a lot of folks have been fishing, but those who have have been disappointed.  According to our hydroacoustic surveys, there are quite a few fish available, however.  Hopefully fishing success will improve soon.
This report submitted by Steve Thiesfeld- biologist for the ODFW

May 5, 1999

Our LBC kokanee report has been posted on the ODFW web page. It is under the link for "research and reports". I hope your readers find it useful.

Cheers.

This report submitted by Steve Thiesfeld - biologist for the ODFW

May 3, 1999

Lake Billy Chinook kokanee fishing has seen a slight downfall the past several weeks. The number of anglers has dropped as well as the catch. Although the weather hasn't cooperated with most anglers, those that have braved the stormy weather averaged a .25 fish/hr and an average size of 12 in. The majority of the Kokanee remain deep in the water column, but as the temperatures rise these fish should begin to surface. Good luck and happy fishing.
This report submitted by Steve Thiesfeld - biologist for the ODFW

April 15, 1999

Since April 1st, kokanee anglers have averaged 0.5 fish/angler hour. The kokanee's average size is approximately 11 in., and the majority of the fish have been caught at depth's of 40-70 ft. The hot areas for kokanee fishing continue to be the lower Deschutes Arm, and into the Metolius Arm up to and around Chinook Island.
This report submitted by Steve Thiesfeld - biologist for the ODFW

April 5, 1999

Lake Billy Chinook kokanee fishing has started to heat up. As of March 1st, and the opening of the Metolius Arm, anglers have averaged 0.5 fish/angler hour. There haven't been many kokanee anglers as of yet, but as spring continues, more anglers are expected. The kokanee's average size is approximately 11 in., and the majority of the fish have been caught at depth's of 40-70 ft. The hot areas for kokanee fishing are the lower Deschutes Arm, and into the Metolius Arm up to and around Chinook Island. Please remember that a Tribal Permit is needed to fish the Metolius Arm of Lake Billy Chinook. Good luck, and happy fishing.
This report submitted by Steve Thiesfeld - biologist for the ODFW

March 4, 1999

We did a survey on feb 16th and 17th. at that time most of the kokanee were stacked in the narrows (in the Deschutes arm just upstream from the junction of the Metolius). There were also good numbers in the crooked arm off the boat ramp. We haven't been monitoring fishing until today, so i'm not sure how people have been doing. Pressure has been very low this winter. We didn't see much carry over of older age kokanee last year, so we're not expecting much in the way of harvest until the one year olds are big enough to harvest. That has been happening around June for the last couple of years. However, my predictions haven't been very good that past couple of years. Good luck.

This report submitted by Leroy