sometimes its best to keep things to ones self, enjoy your fish.

I have also thought of trying other local lakes but with consistent action in the ones that I do fish keeps me coming back to the same lakes over and over.

mjs, thank you for the comment, and while I am sorry if my reporting somehow ruins your own experience, I am going to respectfully disagree with your basic premise. This site that you yourself have found, is based upon sharing information. All fisherman, at one time or another, have either asked for, given, or received advice from another fisherman. It could be where to fish, what depth, what bait, color, speed etc. This is just the 2016 version of the local tackle shop, the local morning coffee spot. I am indebted to many folks here for their knowledge they have been willing to share. Heck, on the lake a few times I've given folks a fly or 2 to try. I am pretty sure that my reports are not going to drive folks in droves to the lake and it gets fished out. The first weekend after Northwest Sportsman wrote an article about Cranberry Lake, I was out that first weekend, it was beautiful, clear skies...... I was the only one on the lake. If Northwest Sportsman Magazine can't drive people to a lake, pretty sure I can't either. Just an observation for you. Your comment is more likely to draw attention to the lake that any post I've made. You have made it appear as if there is something spectacular about Goodwin that needs to be hidden.

where at on the lake this time Josh?

Area on the lake I had never really had much success on. North of the launch, more towards the very center of the lake, in front of the cove. Was odd that all bites were at 20 feet even though 90% of the fish marked were at 10-15. I did mark a few of course 20 feet and below, and if I passed over something 20-25 I could pretty much start a count until the rod started bouncing.

As JoshH said, this website is about sharing information for the benefit of all anglers. No one should criticize someone for the information they post unless it advocates illegal activity or proven false statements IMO. Excellent report JoshH and way to continue being dialed in on Goodwin!

Riverhunter - yea I only have a weekend day mainly to fish, so it's hard to leave where I am having success. And I know Goodwin is going to become more difficult as the weather warms, the kids are out of school, and the lake starts to look like I-5 during rush hour. Thanks foryou for the comment. I definitely had to scratch around a bit more to find the biters and to get them to stay on, but at least I found them. I did have a nice chat with a family in another boat and told them what my exact set up was. Hopefully next time out they can find some success as well.

Great report, JoshH. Congrats on the great fishing that you are enjoying, and for understanding the spirit of Northwest Fishing Reports. For those who consider themselves to be "elitists" and wish to keep their "mystical" prowess to themselves, need not interject their "considered" opinions! PTL!

Nice fish again... but mjs really does have a good point. Fishing holes do not end up fairing too well after getting advertized too much on social media. Everyone reads it including the minority that will ruin a lake or fishing hole. Lake Martha is a perfect example. There was a reason Goodwin had 20+ in. trout in it - - "Lack of fishing pressure".
There is a lot of truth to the saying "true fishermen do not advertise or feel the need to brag about their catch.

fishkin4 - I will also respectfully disagree with your assessment. The resources are paid for by everyone that purchases a license. Everyone that has purchased a license bought a little piece of every fish you or I have ever caught on a WDFW planted body of water.. Goodwin "has" 20 in fish in it, not "had". I don't have that kind of sway. It has them because it's big, not easily fishable (not spring plants, fish are more picky and dispersed), and gets a lot of fish planted. Northwest Wild Country, The Outdoor line, Seattle Times, Everett Herald all have discussed the good fishing on Goodwin. I don't have that type of reach, and they haven't ruined it. I am sorry if you feel I am bragging. I've never been accused about bragging over 14-15 inch fish before. I need to work on that I guess and start turning those fish 14 inch fish into the 20 inchers that the two fellows told me they got as I was leaving. The two guys that after they asked me how big the fish were I caught so I showed them, chuckled after I showed them and told me of their 20+ inch fish. I take as much satisfaction out of other's having success as I do myself. I am sorry if you feel as if my posting is bragging in some way. I am hoping to give others information to help them where ever they are, just as I am looking to get info from someone else. Heck, I used a post from Roosevelt to get a little info on what to try on Goodwin.

Also just saying - - I've noticed a tremendous amount of fishing pressure in the last couple years,haven't you?. We'll see if it still holds large trout in a couple more. And if not don't be surprised if it changes to a selective gear rule change.

And I'm sure I'm not the only one on here that is disgusted with all the hype NW wildcountry,The OutdoorLine,Seattle times Herald etc. causes. Fisheries have always gone down hill after getting too much attention by the masses.

As far as more pressure on Goodwin the past few years... maybe a little more. But the extra pressure I have seen is in the winter, and maybe a boat or two more. This time of year, probably less fishing pressure actually. Since they changed the planting schedule from spring to winter, there are fewer plant chasers on the water, those that want their limit of stockers in an hour of less. The lake is unique in quite a few ways that imo will prevent over fishing. The fish during the time of year the fish are more picky, they have pretty much completely adapted to a natural food source. You cant just pull a wedding ring on the surface. You have to have the patience and the means to find where they are and biting, plus what they want. This alone discourages the typical type that care nothing for the quality of fishing, those folks are more about ease and quantity. The lake is about to turn into an absolute circus of pleasure craft. Just 2 weeks ago those craft already made it almost unfishable. Multiple times due to getting tossed by 3 foot rollers my line popped out of the downrigger clip. A few times i actually pulled the hook out of the fish's mouth right at the boat due to those rollers. Its about to get worse and not real fishable on weekends. This alone gives the fish a good rest and the time to grow. Come fall/winter, most folks have no desire to be out on the water in those conditions. Again, my intent in posting is in no way to boast or brag. I just enjoy fishing and talking fishing with anyone, whether here or while I am on the lake. If I can help someone on Goodwin or any other body of water, all the better. I know Ive picked little bits and pieces from folks posting on other lakes that i have used at Goodwin or any other lake Ive fished.

Good report Josh, If you want to brag a little, thats ok. everybody does it sometimes. There is 2 ways to use this site. get info from other people or brag alittle. They both work if used correctly. I been burned more than once by the Everett herald and other publications that you mentioned. I don't like it but that's the way it is. Some of the guys who used to work at [hook, line and sinker] burned me big on a few spots. Whats funny about that, is I tried to help them catch more fish.

Thanks Richie. Trust me, when I do land a "big" there or anywhere else, I will brag a little. Isn't that part of the fun of fishing? Otherwise why do fishermen weigh or tape their fish ever? I had just never been accused of bragging about 14-15 inch fish before. If I had only known the accusation would come, I would have said they were a bit bigger and got my money's worth!

Those are some beautiful trout. I have been thinking about trying this lake. Do they have a boat launch?

Yes its $10 to launch.

I've said it before and say it again, I blame the invention of the pringing press, that started the whole problem, lol. Or, maybe the increased fishing pressure is because the population of this state has grown from 3 to over 5 million people in the past twenty years. All those people have fish somewhere. I appreciate the spirit of sharing that our posting members display. Its rude to post complaints about fishing reports on a fishing reports web site, btw.