Coyote Creek channel at Fern Ridge res

[maxwyatt]

A while back, I tried fishing the Coyote Creek channel at the south end of Fern Ridge Reservoir in a kayak. It was my second time fishing it, the first time was on the bank working my way down from Cantrel road. I was mostly throwing Texas rigged softbaits, but I tried some top water lures and rooster tails as well. There's lots of structure in the water, mostly in the form of downed trees, but there's rocks at the highway and railroad bridge. This last time, I fished the two hours up until dark and didn't get a bite. Are there fish in there? If so, what kind? Maybe I'm using the wrong bait for what's in there. Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[troutdude]

Several years ago, I was in that area to meet with a residential client. I've been wondering about that creek--and what may be in there--ever since. I would imagine that it holds some bass--and that top water lures would work well in the late afternoon (or early mornings).

Good luck and let us know if you figure it out.

 

[kemfish]

I had the same experience last year. Looks promising, but absolutely no fish activity. Another kayak friend has had the same experience
I live in Eugene so Fern Ridge should be an easy outing, but I never fish it because it seems like its not nearly as fruitful as some of the other local lakes

 

[plumbertom]

Only thing I can offer is that while boat fishing Fern Ridge I have caught a number of largemouth in the one to two pound size.
They were all taken along the riprap of the dam and marina.
All hit Crappie Killer cranks, as I was attempting to locate some crappie.

 

[maxwyatt]

Thanks @plumbertom, that's good info.

I wonder if the Coyote Cr area might be better for crappie or maybe catfish. I'll try it again with some different setups. Figuring it out is the most interesting part. Fish would be nice though...

 

[plumbertom]

Well, I've dipped a crappie jig a couple of times there where the creek crosses under the hwy.
Mainly because it looks sooo fishy and it's very close to home for me.
And I keep hearing that there are crappie that hang around that bridge.
All I've managed to do there is catch a couple of carp.
But even though I know there are brown bullheads in fern ridge, I'd be surprised to catch them at the creek.

 

[maxwyatt]

Were the carp at least big enough to be a fun fight?

 

[troutdude]

Were the carp at least big enough to be a fun fight?

Stopped to eat lunch, several years ago, on the east side of the Long Tom where it flows out of Fern Ridge. Watched a dude pull out several carp, that appeared to be in the 10 pound range (give or take). Not my kind of fishing. But it looked like he was having fun.

 

[plumbertom]

Were the carp at least big enough to be a fun fight?

Couple of pounds each, but on the very light rig I prefer for crappie they were fun to pull on.

 

[plumbertom]

Stopped to eat lunch, several years ago, on the east side of the Long Tom where it flows out of Fern Ridge. Watched a dude pull out several carp, that appeared to be in the 10 pound range (give or take). Not my kind of fishing. But it looked like he was having fun.

My first trip to the Kirk ponds parking lot I tried foshing below the dam in the Long Tom outlet area. I did catch a couple of crappie about 4'' each.
But just downstream from where I was fishing, there is a low head dam or weir, and in the river below it I could see a number of carp circling around that loked to be as long as my leg.