Mountain Lakes

[Westslopecutt]

I have hiked into Champion Lakes in the White Clouds. It was a long strenuous hike coming in from over the ridge behind the lakes, but well worth the price of admission. I caught several very nice Brookies, averaging 12-14 inches on both flies and lures. I didn't ever even try the lower lake because the fishing was so good in the upper lake, but reports are that there not only Brookies but some larger Rainbows in the lower lake as well. The area near those lakes burned a couple of years ago and I haven't been back since that fire happened so it might be worth checking it out on Google Earth to see if there are any trees left before planning any trips in there. You can actually park down below the lakes and come in on a trail that way as well. It's about 5-6 miles but not nearly as steep as coming from over the ridge. They actually just changed the regs for that area about 2 years ago so that you can take a 4 wheeler or motorcycle in there if you have one.

I've also fished Heart Lake in the 4th of July creek drainage of the White Clouds a couple of times. It's a steep hike but not real lengthy. The last time I went the trail wasn't being maintained so there was a lot of hopping over dead fall on the way in and out. The last time I fished Heart lake I couldn't get any fish to take any of the lures or flies I had but I saw some U boat sized Cutts cruising the shoreline. I've also fished Phyllis lake in that same 4th of July Creek drainage but didn't catch or see any fish in that lake. What was odd was that there was an otter living at that lake, and they do feed on fish so you have to believe it's got have some kind of food source available.

Best of luck with your hike in fishing this summer.
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