Annual Gig Harbor PSA Kokanee Outing
Location: American Lake, Lakewood WA.
Date: 18 May
Time: Daylight- 12 Noon
Rules: Must follow all WDFW rules. 2 rods permitted per angler with second rod endorsement on license. Largest Kokanee by weight wins derby. Only active Gig Harbor PSA club members in good standing can fish this event.
Weigh in: Fish can be weight at US Army Dock at Russell Landing at 11:30AM -12:00 Noon. You can pull up one boat at a time, we will be on the dock to weigh fish starting at 11:30. Weigh station closes at 12:00 noon. Only active duty or retired military can tie up their boats here, only weighing in fish will be allowed. We will take your fish weigh it and returned it to you. This process should take less than 2 minutes per boat. You can then pull out and let the next boat in.
We will not tell you the weight of your fish at the dock. The weight will be recorded and the winner will be announced at the Gig Harbor PSA meeting on Tuesday June 12. Only kokanee will be weighed in no trout or bass. All decisions by the derby committee and binding and final.
Prize: Winner will receive a custom built kokanee rod by Snatchin Lips Custom Rods and assorted with their name on it and an assortment kokanee tackle supplied by Gary Mirales from Shasta Tackle who will be fishing the event.
Entry fee: $5.00 paid at the May 14 GHPSA Club general meeting
Boat Ramps:
American Lake Park
Veterans Drive SW and 92nd Avenue SW (Best Ramp two lanes with docks will handle larger boats)
This popular 5-acre park is located on the north shore of American Lake at 82nd Street SW and Veterans Drive SW.
Directions:
From I-5, take Exit 124 (Gravelly Lake Drive), go N on Woodbrook .2 mi; L on Gravelly Lake Drive SW, go .8 mi; L on Veterans Drive SW, go 1 mi; at sharp R h; turn go straight to ramp area.
Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife Ramp
The large access area has lots of parking space, pit toilets and 2 concrete block boat launching ramps. No Docks. Watch for shallow spot about 23-40ft straight out from ramp.
Directions:
Traveling south on I-5 south of Tacoma, exit right on Exit # 122. Travel west, across the railroad tracks on Berkley Street for about .5 mile to Portland Ave. Turn left for about another .5 mile to WDFW access area.
Russell Landing
Located on North Fort Lewis. Can only be used by valid military ID card holders. One lane ramp with dock.
Directions:
Take North Fort Lewis exit off I-5, after entering gate take first right and then first left on to American Lake Ave. Turn right at Russell landing sign.
Recommended Kokanee Tackle:
Small micro squids have been working well. Run these about 7-10 inches behind a 4.5 inch trout dodger. A wedding ring spinner work great too behind a dodger. A light trout rod and reel work fine for this fishery. You can flat line 30-50 yards behind the boat or run your downriggers. If you use the downriggers bring a trout release clip, salmon clips will not work well. Tip the top hook with Pautzke’s fire corn to add some scent.
Map: