I thought I might start a thread for my local lakes, Elk and Prospect. These lakes are very close to each other, and I seem to have equal success fishing the same way on both lakes.

If anyone here likes to fish these lakes and would like to leave a report or tip or technique, here is the place.

I have heard that these lakes offer excellent trout fishing in the winter, but so far I have not found that to be the case. I was out on Sunday the 16th and got skunked for the first time on Prospect lake. I have since decided that this was because I was trolling too deep for the very cold water, but I'm still puzzled. Usually I can get my limit or at least a few fish but not that day.

As for my setup I have had really good success with the old gibbs 1.5"willow leaf lake troll and glow/red wedding band and bait, whether it be garden worms or recently: powerbait trout worms. I have fished with electric downriggers recently but that seems like overkill sometimes.

I've had some good luck using a smaller rapala plug but I dont like to hook smaller trout with treble hooks as it tends to kill them now and then. I only usually keep one or two trout to eat and I have heard most people say that trout over 18" or summer trout are muddy tasting. I'm looking forward to testing that theory as the largest rainbow I've caught so far is a measly 17.5". It was delicious.

This post has run a little longer than I meant to, but I'm wondering what anyone else here has to add? I'm interested in other bait too. has anyone tried shrimp or leeches? crayfish?
What about fly patterns? I realize that I'm asking a lot and lots of fishermen don't like to share their secrets, but I am interested in all aspects of fishing, as long as they are fair and legal.

I've never trolled gear in those lakes but trolling a leech fly always seems to get a few hits no matter what time of year.

I have only fly fished the lakes and done well with Olive Buggers/Black sparkle Buggers and Pumpkinhead flies all slow trolled on a clear sink.This would be spring/summer, not sure about winter months.

I trolled a green bugger and a leech around Prospect the other day for a couple of hours and I managed only a single strike (on the leech). I've had good luck with these flies in the past. It was my first winter excursion on the lake, and I'll probably wait until the weather warms up a tad before I return. Paddling through thin ice chunks in my float tube is not exactly comfortable, even with a zillion layers on underneath.

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I have had success trolling black, olvie, black\olive buggers and red and purple micro leeches as well. Does anyone here try for the larger rainbows? I have heard of apex, rapala and even tomic plugs working well on the larger fish but so far I have had no luck, probably just havent spent enough time trolling them.

For Elk lake, I tye up 6 to 8 inch dazzle leaches,
In black, deep leach, and Canadian brown.
They work great for me. I run them on eather
a full or intermediate sink line, depending on
the conditions. I've cought 5 pound fish on these.
If your going to tye some yourself use a size 2 to 4
4xl streamer hook. Simi seal and marbou to mach the
Simiseal and a little crystal flash. I normally use black, pearl
or copper.
Happy fishing.

Saw about 6 boats go out on elk when the rain started this afternoon and a few people were coming in with 4 nice sized trout.. The two I talked to said a slow troll near the middle to the top of the water column.

Just wondering if anyone's been out recently. Was thinking about going out tomorrow but haven't had much luck there the past few trips. should be better with the recent stocking.

with this sunshine the has been lots of fish rising and I'm sure the fishing is turning on.

i'm gonna pop the tube in prospect later on today for a quick fish...

dropped the tube in durrance instead - not too much going on but a few small guys on the bugger.