Fishing Near Ellensburg?

[cjrodarme]

So I'm going over to Ellensburg for memorial day weekend. I want to do some fishing and pondhopping, but I know barely anything about the fishing over there. Can someone recommend some lakes to fish over in that general area, and can someone please help me with the rules for the Yakima River, I read the regs but still don't understand the rules a bit.

[losaturn]

Mattoon lake is right off I-90. I've fished it many times, the lake is heavily stocked with trout. Doesn't get nearly the pressure as Fio Rito, which is located a few miles away off of I-82. Fio Rito has a lot more warm water species though, but is really packed on Memorial Day weekend. Both of these lakes are very weedy, and are nearly unfishable when the wind picks up.

[The Quadfather]

So I'm going over to Ellensburg for memorial day weekend. I want to do some fishing and pondhopping, but I know barely anything about the fishing over there. Can someone recommend some lakes to fish over in that general area, and can someone please help me with the rules for the Yakima River, I read the regs but still don't understand the rules a bit.

Regarding the rules on the Yak, really you just need to determine the section of river that you will be fishing. Look at it on Google Maps if this helps. In the river regs under Yakima river. It will list all the sections of the river, (I can't remember which order they go in, from Mouth to beginning stretch of river, or visa versa) but that doesn't matter. Look at the sections of river, and determine which section includes your area. They are broad sections... Usually between "So and So" bridge and such and such dam. The section that you are in will have the regs very clearly stated.

If you aren't sure what section of river you are in, maybe post back here with the spot on the river, and somebody (I) would send you the link you to the reg. for that section.

You might also send a PM to a guy on here who goes by, "Joetucker803" He lives over there, and is pretty experienced and helpful.

[cjrodarme]

Fio Rito has a lot more warm water species though, but is really packed on Memorial Day weekend. Both of these lakes are very weedy, and are nearly unfishable when the wind picks up.

Ill be in Ellensburg by Thursday night and will have a chance to fish Fio Rito Friday. Do you think a lot of people will be at Fio Rito on Friday, and would you recommend a float tube on Fio Rito or Mattoon?

[losaturn]

I think you'd be alright fishing Fio Rito Friday, especially in the morning. Check the wind before you go out, it's suppose to be in the mid teens. A float tube on either lake will let you fish a lot of water that can't be reached from the shore. I've seen guys catch some big trout on both lakes trolling gear and flies. Just be cautious if you're out there, I've seen it go from flat calm to white caps in a hurry.

[cjrodarme]

What lake is better for panfish, FioRito or Mattoon?

[losaturn]

Fio Rito. I've caught crappie, Perch, and Sunfish.

[cjrodarme]

What about Mattoon, is there the same kinda types, and is there decent bass fishing at either?

[losaturn]

I haven't caught any crappie in Mattoon, but I've caught perch and sunfish. Fio Rito has a bunch of bass, but most are dinks. The few decent size fish you see crusing the shallows, are extra skittish. I haven't fished Matton for bass, but I've had some big ones try to swallow trout I was reeling in.

[trout-killa]

Both Mattoon and Frio Rito have bass populations largely consisting of dink bass. I personally like Mattoon more for bass (fishing from the shore). I've seen/heard of 5+ pound bass coming out of Mattoon. I can also vouch that Frio Rito would be better for pan fish. However, the small bass at Mattoon act a lot like pan fish, in numbers and in table fare if you're into that. Mattoon, in my opinion, is the best option. If those are too crowded, you could try woodhouse ponds for bass or try McCabe for bass/panfish.