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Jesse's Hunting > Fishing Articles > Fishing Articles Archives > Trolling June Lake
Trolling June Lake
Fritz Schmitt - JHO ProStaff
- Southern CA
July 27, 2004
June Lake Cutthroat
Here's a nice one headed for the smoker. |
After fourteen years of countless hours putting around this fine body of water, I have put together some tips on catching trout from this prime spot in the Eastern Sierra. While this article is not a technical expose on fishing June Lake, the results will help the angler catch some nice Cutthroat, Rainbow or even a Brown Trout by trolling the lake.
The Setting: (map below is highlighted with some of the areas listed below)
Map of June Lake
The map shows waypoints and general information. The best way to learn a body of water is by first-hand experience, though. |
June Lake has two basic sides. One is the “Road Side”, SW-NE, and the other is the “Far Side”, SW-NW. The lake is an oval shape and to the left of the Road Side are some reed beds (SW end) and pocket water that hold both fish and fishermen. This is, a good area to head in high winds. At the northern end of the Road Side is the “shallows” and swim beaches (NE end). North of the swim beach area is a campground (PineCliff).
The lake has some deep water 130+’ about 100-150 yards off the Road Side that slowly rises to an underwater low spot of 35-40 feet deep another 100 yards out from the Boulder Lodge cove to the north of Big Rock Marina. Then the bottom drops off again fairly deep until 30-100 yards off the Far Side. On the Far Side, the lake has depths (about the area of the rocks right after the last cabin) 50-80' deep about 30-40 yards out until the first rock outcropping below the cabin rocks. That outcropping works under water towards the middle of the lake in an almost perpendicular manner, going out about 75 yards. The bottom, at 70', then swings towards the beach end to the small group of rocks on shore. At this point, the bottom quickly rises up to 50 or less feet. This is a good spot to swing around to troll back to the SW end. The map shows the 50-foot spot and also the basic pattern that holds bigger fish. All the waypoints on the map have been set when the fish finder has shown large fish.
At about the last group of pines on the far shore just before the north shore campground cove, the bottom becomes very shallow. The shelf runs across the lake towards the right of the restroom on the beach side. On top of the shelf, the water is 7-15 feet deep, below the shelf (which is about 10-15 yards wide) the bottom goes from 30-50 feet. About even with the restroom on the beach, the backside of the shelf drops off very deep (120'+) about 100 yards off shore. The lone fish point in located at this area.
At the turn going back south towards the marinas from the beach area, the shore has many rock shelves and dips. Each little pocket cove can be 40' deep only 25' from shore to a shallow depth of 2'. Be careful, during high water in the spring, there is a submerged rock at (Rock waypoint). During the summer, the rock is about 1’ above the water line. This point runs out about 20 yards and is shallow on top, about 10-15' deep. Each side drops off quickly.
The bottom along this area has many submerged rocks with big fish holding next to the structure. Working along the Road Side, there is a shallow area as you get close to the big rocks. The shelf right before the little cove is very shallow for about 40 feet from shore 4-10 feet with submerged rocks and logs. This spot eats lures on a daily basis until you learn to motor around the shelf. Be careful for the submerged log in that little cove (Log waypoint). In this little cove, which drops off very quickly, I have seen many big fish on my finder.
After this area, the shore becomes more weed/reed like. Slow trolling along the edge can produce a sudden strike. Mid-summer to early fall, the water can be gin clear. Look carefully for the sunken wooden rowboat. There are 3 minor coves along this edge. Each is good to work as you head up to the SW end. The last cove, Boulder Lodge dock, can be productive. Right at the reeds to the north of the cove, holds a school of fish. Going further south, watch the pass around that reed point before the marinas. It is shallow… 7-20 feet deep out to 50 feet. Passing that point, you will pass Big Rock and then June Lake Marina. Mike, at the marina, is very friendly and has a good knowledge of the lake.
The SW end is generally around 50' deep across to the last cabin by the rocks. On a calm day, you will see the bubbles from the underwater springs in this area (Spring waypoint). Most of the springs have fish holding on them during the year. The area from the Marina over to the rocks is a great place to troll in a zigzag pattern. Head close to shore and cut back to the middle of the lake. Watch the turn and listen for the strike. If you do the pattern right, it sets you up for heading back down the lake with a 30 yard pass by the rocks heading into the little cove, turning at the north end towards the middle of the lake for about 100 yards, then turn left or north, to the north end. Slowly angle out towards the beach bathroom in a zigzag pattern. (See the map and all the ‘fish’ hits).
The Set Up:
I use two basic set ups for the lake. The first is my ‘early morning’ rig. I am set up for surface trolling along the road side at blue light. On my spool, I have a very long tag end. I run 100-150' of six pound Spiderwire attached to my lead core. This way I do not need to have too many rods set up for surface and deep trolling. Most mornings I will let out one color to keep the lure close to the surface and far enough back to allow fish to strike.
My second setup is my lead core rig. I have my reel set up with the long tag end attached to the lead core line. I once read an extensive report in the North American Fishing Club magazine about trolling depth. Their basic finding was to run a patch of lead core attached to a mono backing and a long mono leader to get a deep diving rig. I run the long 6 lb leader then 6-8 colors of 18 lb lead core attached 15 lb backing. I can get consistently down anywhere from 45-60'. I like the long leader because it masks the lead core and allows a lure to have freer action. Plus if you snag, you might lose part of the leader and not the whole set up. This allows you to get back to fishing quickly.
Speed:
I became fascinated with trolling speed after I got a GPS. I have found that most strikes occur at 1.8 miles per hour, not 1.9 or 1.7, but 1.8! Yes, sometimes a quick pace will get strikes, but on a whole, the slower action gets more fish. The biggest surprise I found was how much the wind can play in going up or down the lake. Against a simple wind, the 1.8 mph will drop to .6 mph. I found the fishing picked up when I got my speed back to 1.8 mph. Some days it feels like the engine is singing as I head up wind.
Lures:
Depending on the day and time, I like to use a chrome or gold, with a red tip (Brass or Nickel/Redheads), Needlefish. I replace the single hook with a new sharp treble hook. The bright orange versions really can do a number on the fish, as well as Firetiger, Pearl Bikini and the orange/white. The newer versions have a little chrome blade that seems to work well. If I feel the fish are not holding too deep or am working the surface in the morning, I will use a J-9 Rapala. There are many different patterns that work. Black/Gold is always hot. This mimics the basic baitfish in the lake. Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Firetiger, Gold/flo, and a few others will all get results.
Thomas Buoyants work well, but I hardly use them because of the success with the other lures. Most of the newer Rapala mimics will work in similar patterns. One lure that really was hot one day, until someone cut across my trolling line, was a small AC type Lure (3") in German Brown pattern. I have tried some of the other soft tail lures, but seem to get many short strikes. I did tie on some trailing hooks, but for all the time and effort, a J-9 Rapala works just as well. KastMasters, Superdupers, Flatfish and even a Bomber A will get some action. Chrome or brass with a RED tip is key. I have seen someone throw a green Bomber A from shore and land 3 fish, each over 4 pounds
Flies:
Trolling flies along the reed beds can produce rod-breaking strikes. A north wind is key for very hot action. I have almost broken two rods this way. Olive Matukas and Hornbergs seem to be hot. Even a good black, purple or green woolybugger with a gold beadhead will find a target.
The Plans of Attack:
Morning:
I usually get on the water 30-45 minutes before fishing time. If I get up early enough, I will head down the lake towards the swim beach and troll back up the lake along the road side. Working each cove and drop off. My shore side rod will be straight line with a J-9 Rapala. My lake side rod will be a Needlefish (Brass Redhead) down about 1-2 colors. You have to watch the bottom to make sure you do not lose too many lures. If there is too much boat traffic, I swing around at the middle of the Boulder Lodge dock cove or even sooner.
On those mornings when all others are still asleep or making coffee, I love to troll the outside of the docks at both Marinas, and really try to get down below the boats in their slips. After the pass in a ‘Z’ pattern, I then head to the cabin rocks. This gives good action to the lures. Once in deeper water, my one rig is let out to different colors, trying to see what is working and at what depth.
Late Morning to early afternoon:
Usually, after blue light, and the sun has yet to hit the water, I go work the Far Side. I like to work down about 130 yards off the cabin rocks, swing down to the first outcropping, and head towards the far shore until my GPS starts to line up my waypoints. I have started setting a waypoint every time a big fish showed on the depth finder. I have found that most spots hold fish on a consistent basis every year.
I work the 50-75' zone until the bottom starts to come up, then swing around and go back over the same area. I swing out at the cabin rocks enough to turn the boat around without crossing lines. On my reels, 4-6 colors will be in the sweet spot. Once I pinpoint the depth, I use a marker to mark the line. I just keep going back and forth over this area at that depth.
Late afternoon:
Depending on the weather or cloud cover, I will either keep doing whatever is working, or sometimes I will take my fly rod out and troll a fly by the reeds. Otherwise, I will just keep dialing in the equipment.
Evening:
If the fish start to rise, I will then go to a surface setup on one rod and keep one rig deep. Or I might start throwing a fly while I troll. Getting a double hook up with a fly rod and trolling rig at the same time gets your blood going. Hooking a big brown or cutt will make a great closing to the day.
Map:
Below is a modified version of my fishing hotspot map. You can see the key points and depths. I know Mike at Big Rock is always willing to help with some info. Each lure has good days and bad. Sometimes you have to dig deep in the box to find something that seems to trigger a better bite. Other times, nothing will work, so I always have a book to read. Just don’t fall asleep while reading and trolling. Not that I have ever done it, but I have heard the sound of the hull scraping the bottom will really wake a person up fast.
Wrap Up:
I have been on the water in all types of weather. I think the most snow I measured while fishing by lifting my coffee cup off the seat was 3+”, the most rain was enough to scare me to shore by quickly filling up the bottom of the boat. Winds have flipped some boats and ice flow almost flipped me. I have motored across the lake in white out conditions using nothing but the GPS unit to show the way until, finally, within 50' of the dock at Big Rock, I could see the shore. I have caught fish in all weather conditions. Be prepared.
A few items can make the day better. I will bring a propane heater for the cold mornings, a thermos of coffee, my cigars, a book or some hunting/fishing magazines, water, snacks and food, and tackle boxes. A GPS can be a very helpful tool to have.
I once took my boys out in the early morning. We only made it about halfway down the lake when my youngest said, “I’ve caught enough. Can I go back and go to sleep. Besides, we have had so many hook- ups, you can’t even get your line in, Dad”
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