Hit the lake for the first time this year and it did not let me down once again Caught a bunch of cutts and bows releasing all but 4 total for the fry pan over the two days. Could not wait to get started so as soon as the depth started to drop I let out a 1 ½ inch spoon on the surface. 85 feet of line later I locked the bail and set the pole in the rod holder. Within a minute of trolling the drag starts clicking and my first thought is crap I snagged an underwater log. I stopped the boat and as soon as I picked it up I see a decent sized trout go skydog and I feel it on my line whoo hoo fish on!! Reeled in a nice sized cutthroat that was hooked perfectly in the mouth and even though he was well over the min size limit, I kicked him loose to be caught another day. Next thing was to set the craw fish traps in an area that has been productive over the years. Dropped them in 60 feet of water with rocky bottom and baited with salmon scraps. While moving around I noticed fish on the finder holding at about 65 feet in 150 to 180 feet of water. Switched lures to a size 4 coyote spoon in the "copcar" color (black and white) laid out 40 feet of line and sent the down rigger down 90 feet. I worked the drop offs all around the lake at a moderate trolling speed staying in 130 and 200 feet of water.. Caught several decent rainbows using this method, the largest was 14 inches. Also worked the steep side of the lake at the drops using brass or copper colored spinners, cast into the shallows and work down the slope of drop. Fish were smaller when using this method but they were hitting it like crazy. Surface water temp was 57 to 60 f. depending on the time of day, best lure colors black, black white combo, brass, copper.

A side note to someone planning on going to the lake and fishing. Shore fishing is very difficult if done LEGALLY the water is very shallow anywhere along the accessible shore. I hate to say it but a boat is really needed to productively fish this lake. If you do bring a boat keep in mind that the launch is very shallow and rocky. I cringed as I watched a guy fight to launch a big heavy fully loaded 18 foot fibreglass monster in 2 ½ feet of water. I looked at the rocks on the way back in and could see white paint, fibre shards and black from the out drive on them. Oh yea and not sure why but the overnight soak of the craw fish traps produced zero, zip, nada, absolutely no craw fish which is a first time for me at the lake. Going back at the end of the month for a few days to try again.

Hit Walupt Lake for the 4th of July. Really cold. REALLY cold. There were snow banks in several places and with the wind, I was still cold even though I was paddling and wearing waders and a monkey man fleece jacket. But the fishing...

AMAZING. For an alpine lake (Walupt is above 4000 feet in elevation) this lake is GREAT. In the span of 2 hours I caught 9 or 10 trout. Largest was 15", but it's an alpine lake so they don't get that big up there. Kept my limit of 5. I was using a red/silver wedding ring with red/silver spinner about 30 inches behind a mack's trolling flasher (the plastic blade things).

Another great thing about these fish, they fought GREAT. I've never caught trout that fought as well as these did. Most of them would SLAM the wedding ring on the initial hit, and were instantly jumping out of the water to get free. Out in the open area of the lake was most productive, and I didn't get as many hits when I was closer in. They were breaking the surface everywhere going after bugs. Oh, and 2 poles are not allowed on this lake, but you wouldn't be able to handle two poles with so many fish.

I'm not sure, but there may be burbot in this lake, it's VERY deep.

My GF was bank fishing and only caught 3. If you're going to fish this lake, get out on a boat of some type and troll, or fly fish from the bank. (electric or human power only with a 10mph speed limit - gas MAY be allowed, not sure)

My grandfather and I are very familiar with this lake. For several years, we would come up here and camp with some other family members and friends. Anyrate, we like to troll or cast flies. Trolling during middle of the day and casting early and late. We use mostly carey specials in olive greens and black. Sometimes orange careys work well in middle of the day. Most casting is done with medium sink tips with 4-5 feet of 4lb leader. We seem to have very good luck near the outlet and all along the northwest shoreline. Trolling with deep sinking fly lines in middle of the day can be quite successful. Other times, moderate sinking lines is a good choice. In june, the east end where the stream comes in is a good spot as the wild trout go spawning up there. NOTE both inlet and outlet are CLOSED to fishing! Both Cutthroat and Rainbows are present. Rainbows can reach several pounds. Largest I've caught were around 20 inches or so, but I've got a lot over 12 inches in this lake. Cutts are a bit smaller, but ones in the teens have been caught by us. We have personally heard of reports of 'bows over 4 lbs caught by others. Great lake and excellent nearby hikes and scrambes. see that cave above the south shore of the lake. I've been there! Tight lines!

Fishing is great at Walupt Lake. Every year that we go there I like to go fishing. sometimes i catch fish and sometimes I don't. I think the best way to fish is off a boat from the middle of the lake. I would not recommend fishing off the shore. You would be very luck to catch something off the shore.

Went up to Walupt on a day-trip. No bait allowed here, so I rigged up with a barbless ( required ) fly and a casting bubble. Nothing at first, but then I tried speeding up my retrieve just a mite. That did the trick and I started getting hits. Not big fish, but very scrappy. I had three get off on me before I finally landed one... a real pretty 'bow that looked to be a redband. Kept him and one other for the pan, a cutt ( Coastal ) and let the rest go.

Walupt is easily one of the most beautiful lakes I've ever visited. If you're fishing from shore around the west end as I was, definitely bring your waders. Walupt has a very gradual slope around that part of the lake and it's a long cast to reach the fish. ( Also keep in mind, a 10" minimum length is the rule on Walupt. )