Hike-in Lakes

[Matt_K]

Does anyone have any suggestions for hike-in fishing in early June? We have a group of guys that have been coming up to Crane and Sandpoint lakes every year for 20 years. In the past, we've hiked in to Lucille, O'Leary and Queer Rock on the Canadian side. Has anyone been back in to those lakes recently? We do a lot of bass and northern fishing, so walleyes aren't a pre-requisite.

On Queer Rock at least, there was a mostly abandoned boat that didn't have too many holes that we were able to row around the lake a bit. Are there similar "accommodations" on O'Leary or Lucille these days?

Anyone have suggestions about going back in to these lakes, or in to any others?

[JigginStick123]

O'leary is a no-go. The lake has been shut down for a few years. The DNR owns a canoe in there but I can assure you it is locked up. As part of the NPS/DNR fight to stop the spread of invasive species, hike in lakes like little trout, mukooda, oleary, etc. on the US side have been shut down to portaging boats and there are no boats in them. I assume Lucille falls into this law also. Mukooda does have boats but no more will be added. You can rent them from the resorts in Crane Lake. Inflatable tubes and live bait are also illegal as part of the rules. There is a great stretch of shoreline in oleary that can be hiked and fished. I was there in 09 and did great, but 3 visits this past summer resulted in a handful of fish. Good luck on the trip!

[Matt_K]

Thats too bad. It just seems like if the park system is going to prevent portaging, they should either place boats on the lakes themselves, or allow the outfitters to keep one on similar to the Mukooda situation. I never understood the restrictions on Mukooda as its connected to Sand Point by creek and they do still allow you to portage in a motor.

[JigginStick123]

I agree regarding the other lakes. I would love to fish in a boat in Oleary but it would take 1 season for people to fish that lake out. Mukooda is experiencing overharvest and has declined steadily for the past few years. Changes in the system are coming as the park learns more about the spiny water flea, and determine whether or not the SWF can survive in Mukooda.

[duckster]

Noticed you guys said that live bait was banned on the lakes in the park. Actually the law says artificial baits only, so you can't have any natural bait at all, alive or dead. Just hate to see anyone get into trouble.

Duckster