Northwest Fishing Reports

Been reading reports about RW for weeks now and Ive never caught a trout over 2 lbs lol so im making a spur of the moment trip for this weekend with a neighbor for a cpl days. The thing is...I live in western WA (Puyallup) and never left western Wa to go over that way and dont know the lake let alone how to get there or where to camp!
So I looked at the area map and sattilite and it seems that I take I90 to I97? into bridgepor?
Am talking a 12 ft aluminum boat and a 9.9 motor and launching out of the bed of a truck, so I need directions to a nice place to launch a boat like that there.
Any help on this would be great also some info on state parks for camping would be great for the area? Im gonna get on thier site and look too but if someone knows something that would be great!
Thanks in advance, Mike.

Hey Mike,
Bridgeport State Park
is a 748-acre camping park with 7,500 feet of freshwater shoreline on Rufus Woods Lake. Set directly behind Chief Joseph Dam.
Here's the Link: http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Bridgeport

Campsite Information:
The park provides 14 tent spaces, 20 utility spaces, one dump station, two restrooms (both ADA) and two showers. Maximum site length is 45 feet (may have limited availability). Since the park is heavily used, mid-week is the recommended time to locate a vacant campsite. The campground is situated on a lawn with many shade trees. Most facilities are modern. All campsites are first-come, first-served.

2009 Fees
An additional $2 per night is added to the basic camping fees listed below at this high-use park. Basic camping fees are:
Standard campsite, $19.
Full utility campsite, $26.
Partial utility campsite, $25.
Primitive campsite and water trail camping, $12

Driving Directions
Located three miles northeast of Bridgeport, Wash., in the north central area of the state in Okanogan County.
From Bridgeport:
Drive north on Highway 17 for .5 mile. After crossing the Columbia River, turn right at the park sign. Continue approximately two miles to park entrance.

From Wenatchee:
Drive north on Highway 97, then proceed south on Highway 17 for eight miles. Turn at the park sign and continue approximately two miles to park entrance.

Boating Features:
Watercraft launch opens Feb. 20.
The park provides two boat ramps and 240 feet of dock.
A daily watercraft launching permit for $7 and a trailer dumping permit for $5 is available at the park..
Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices, online, and at parks when staff is available. Fishing is open year round. The trout fishing is starting to pick up, depending on wind conditions.

Bridgeport State Park Boat Launch photo below:
Fees apply


Corps of Engineers Boat Launch photo below:
Free to launch


I would recommend that you launch your boat using the Corps of Engineers boat launch across the river from the state park. ((NO LAUNCH FEES))
With such a small boat & motor I would also recommend that you fish in the area behind Chief Jo Dam trolling and casting spinners, flies, jigs & spoons close to the shore or troll deep along the can line. The can line can be seen in the above photo. It is the white line across the center of the photo in the background.
Start fishing early in the morning 6:00 am till 9:00 am and late in the evening 6:00 pm till dark. Try to avoid the heat of the day.
Temps will be 100+ Fri, Sat, & Sun so make sure and pack plenty of water and sun screen.
Don't forget your camera for posting a report with photos.
Good Luck!!!

What other information do you need? I won't even fish it for trout this time of year, but that is just me.

Think I may have it all figured out now
Thanks alot Daren!

Anglinarcher wrote:What other information do you need? I won't even fish it for trout this time of year, but that is just me.

Trout from Rufus this time of year is still very tasty as the water is quite cold. Three weeks ago the surface temp was in the low fifties and a couple feet down in the fourties. As a general rule I won't fish for trout this time of year either.

Bodofish wrote:

Anglinarcher wrote:What other information do you need? I won't even fish it for trout this time of year, but that is just me.

Trout from Rufus this time of year is still very tasty as the water is quite cold. Three weeks ago the surface temp was in the low fifties and a couple feet down in the fourties. As a general rule I won't fish for trout this time of year either.

Don't get me wrong, the trout from RW this time of year are excellent eating fare, but in my experience the "big ones" are hard to find, and with the Walleye and jumbo perch in RW, well........................... let's just say I can't seem to find time for slimers this time of year.

Gotcha! I've wanted to chase wally's there but I've never realy fished them before, all the ones I've caught were accidental catches.