Maybe some nice Chinook in Cali this year...

For all the hardcore AOTY'rs, this could be the place to get a good sized chinook this year.
http://www.fishsniffer.com/dbacher/080506donpedro.html


Z

Is "Lake Don Pedro" within the AOTY boundries???

Is "Lake Don Pedro" within the AOTY boundries???

Sure is Rory.  It is located about 100-115 miles east of S.F. in the central valley.  It is about 2 hours south east of Sacramento.  Growing up in Modesto (which is about 45-50 minutes west of DP), I've fished it many times, but never for salmon. 

Oddly enough, my last time there I was LMB fishing with an uncle on his PB and while we were cruising to another spot with his trolling motor, I was playing around with a Storm Shad and nailed a 20" king.  If only I'd been in my yak.

It is an absolutely GINORMOUS lake.  I wouldn't even begin to know how or where to attack it from a kayak because there is so much water.  I think it is the 5th or 6th largest lake in California, but definitely top ten.  It's also quite beautiful.

I'd definitely be up for a trip if there is interest.  My uncle routinely catches salmon as bycatch while LMB fishing, but that is usually late winter/early spring.  I'll have to pick his brain some more.

Great find Z.  I knew it kicked out some large kings, but never knew they got that big.

Michael

Cool article.  Thanks for the link, Z.   

Also forgot to mention that the Personal Water Crafts come out in droves during the summer.  That and the skiers are enough to drive anybody crazy.  Probably best to hit it early in the day and during dusk.

It also gets hotter than blazes at DP during the summer.  High 90 and 100 is very common during the day and thus explains the aforementioned PWC & skiers.

I know that Jeffrm20 visits this lake and I'd have to believe that Brian G has fished it also.  Maybe some others with more info will stop and weigh in.

Michael