Fishing for brown trout at Merrill Creek in the summer

[go_fish]

I would like to go fishing at Merrill Creek next week targeting Brown trout. I have never been to Merrill Creek before.

Can any give me some good advise on fishing for Brown trout in July/August? What are my odds of success?

Some questions that I have:
What are the best spots on the lake to fish?
Is trolling or drifting live herring the best way to target the browns?
Is trolling lures effective?
How deep should I be fishing?
When is the best time (morning/evening) to fish?
Any advice is appreciated.

[Eskimo]

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No idea. I was hearing rave reviews about Merrill Creek Reservoir and its massive, water-darkening schools of ravenous trout so I brought my kayak out there and I got skunked.

The whole day sucked. The sun was scorching. A cormorant perched in one of those big dead trees almost shit on me as I paddled underneath it. The only fish I saw were millions of tiny sunfish. As I was trying to get on the water, an entire 50-boat bass tournament was ending and getting off the water.

I was very surprised to see the reservoir has a safety guy in a little booth in the parking lot that you have to check-in with. He comes out when you park to get your name, write down your license plate, and check to be sure you have a PFD. I guess that's why MCR hasn't had any drownings this year unlike Round Valley, Spruce Run, and the Delaware River.

[jimmythegreek]

Ive never fished it, but im gonna guess its like RV. basically make a plan. if you have downriggers and can troll all day w ur electric motor(s) focus on that and keep at it watching ur sonar for depths the fish are hanging at. If you dont have DR I wouldnt bother trolling, u will be very limited unless u have leadcore/snap wights/dipsys and know how to use them. Otherwise get a few dozen herring and make sure u can keep them cool and alive, they die SUPER easy this time of year, trust me lol. I would either live line them possibly w a tiny split shot to kinda keep them going down if windy, or slip bobber them. My buddy slip floats them there and has good success. Our own Andy fishes there religiously and hes a herring man too. Search and read his posts and others of their tactics. I know the weekend before last I was out trolling at RV and the majority of fish were at 18-20 FOW and then decent numbers at 29-30. I would go out and mark some fish and then measure out a bobber stop 1-2 feet above that depth and setup 2 rods w slip floats. Then a 3rd rod livelining and u should come up w some fish for sure as long as they are around. They roam, dont look for structure, look for fish

[AndyS]

I'm usually up there in late April through early June, after that it is a tough nut to crack.


What are the best spots on the lake to fish? - just about anywhere

Is trolling or drifting live herring the best way to target the browns?- both work

Is trolling lures effective?- it can be at times

How deep should I be fishing- this time of year find the thermocline

When is the best time (morning/evening) to fish -yes

[mcfish82]

what is the best spot to fish? lol...the best spot is wherever you wind up catching a fish at! go fish the place n' tell us afterwards where the best spot to fish is

[nutleysigns]

TREMENDOUS PLACE TO FISH ! ! !
Browns should be about 30-35 ft down. HERRING ... Big Smallmouths Too