I am just back from a 4th of July Campout at Sun lakes State Park with friends and family. To say it was hot would be a major understatement. We spent most of our time in the lake keeping cool but did get in two AM fishing trips to Banks Lake.

I had heard that Banks is full of smallmouth, but in the first hour three of us caught none. Then we began to learn what type of structure they like and what lures work well. After that we caught dozens. Most were small, but we did land a handful of 1 1/2 to 3 pounders. As an incidental catch we landed a big crappie and several walleye.

All photos are by Sebastes AKA Doug Wilson

Sometimes a change of fishing pace is needed. Looks like alot of fun in the sun!

Nice! We'll be in Chelan all week/weekend...and it looks like it will be cooling down a little...

Walleye are tough in that lake. I've brought my arima over tiwce and only caught a few lil ones.

Dude,
You sure do get around. I practically grew up fishin that lake, and back then there were no walleyes. Kokes were like 3 pounders and now there are none. They dumped in some landlocked chinook in it one year and about 5 years later, my Mom hooked one while perch fishin. Of course she busted it off and I am still pissed off about it.

Nice report Dave.

I have never fished Banks lake, heard a lot about it and understand there are some quality smallies to be caught.

Someday I hope to get over there.

Wally's, Smallies, black crappie

lake looks beautiful--never been

I've done pretty well on walleyes in there in the past, and while none were better than five pounds, there were plenty of 2-3 pounders, and they sure are good eatin' size!

That crappie is purty big!

Fish on...

Todd

Right on there Mr. Vedder. That's a sweet crappie. I love that place, love Sun Lakes, and have many a good memory there.

I've always loved Banks Lake. Pretty much where my fishing career started after earning my first paycheck some 21 years ago. Some friends and I stopped by Gordy's tackle shop (now Big Wallye's) and loaded up on bass gear. After hours of non productive fishing I reach into my tackle box and ask my buddy Tom if bass "will bite a black rooster tail."
Tom replies, "Everything will hit a black rooster tail."
So I promptly cast it up towards shore and hook a six pound trout. Damaged ever since!

As always nice report Dave!

Looks like a lot of fun Dave. Was ther Memorial weekend and never got to break out the rods:(

Kewl...lots of memories from Banks in the early-mid 70's. My pops was a tournament bass guy back then, so we were there alot. Like said above, it used to have big kokes (some still there though in the lower lake), no smallies or walleye's either. Now it's a smallie and walleye show. Troll Barker Flats with Hotlips plugs or wedding rings w/a crawler on a bottom walker. You can get donkey perch that way too! Thanks for the pictures!

That crappie is a slab!

Nice work Dave and Doug. Looks like good times with good friends and family.

Yeah, Banks Lake is awesome. We make a 10 day trip to Steamboat Rock State Park every summer in August. For grins, I took my dive gear last year. Lots of smallies in there hanging around the underwater rock structures.

Sweet pics, can't beleive you didn't eat that crappie ! !

A.J.

We will probably go back to Banks and camp at Steamboat Rock SP, it is a lot nicer looking than the crowded and grass-less campsites at Sun Lakes.

Are the skeeters particularly bad at Steamboat? I saw a sign at the campground about a mosquito abatement program?

This was the first time I've fished Banks in close to 30 years. Back then we caught lots of crappie and bluegill, but no smallmouth.

Apparently things have changed as others have posted.

Fish Ranger,

That crappie must have a charmed life, it had been caught and released before Vedder did it. I hope it is that lucky the third time.

Those smallmouth were a kick on an ultra light spin outfit with 4 lb. test and small jigs with plastic minnows or swim baits.