Strawberry Reservoir Fishing Report
If the wind picks up, pound the wind-blown shore where waves break – that’s where the bait and trout will concentrate.
For tomorrow morning (July 17): hit the wind-blown main-lake points on the south side, slow-troll a spoon or cast a tube from 6:00 to 9:00 AM for rainbow and cutthroat trout.
WHY IT WINS
- Water is 73°F, 4.9° above the lake’s typical level, pushing trout to cooler, oxygenated water near wind-blown structure and deep breaks.
- Steady pressure (1009 mb) and moderate NNW wind (11 mph, gusts 17) create surface chop that masks line and pushes baitfish, activating predators.
- Early morning air temps (59–64°F) and light wind (3–4 mph) keep trout shallow enough to intercept before the sun hits the water.
START HERE
The rocky points east of Strawberry Bay Marina that jut into the main basin, especially the one where the 30-foot contour shelves quickly. Also the long point on the west side of Soldier Creek where the channel swings close to the bank.
THROW THIS
- Trolling: Mack’s Lures Flash-Lite dodger with a rainbow Rapala J-13 plug, 40–60 feet back, 15–25 feet down, at 2–3 mph.
- Casting: 1/4 oz white Rooster Tail spinner or 1/8 oz tube jig (smoke/pearl) on a 1/8 oz jighead – slow-roll the bottom of the breakline.
BEST WINDOW
6:00–9:00 AM. The minor solunar window (8:17–9:47 AM) overlaps with the coolest, calmest part of the morning, and the hourly forecast shows light wind (3–4 mph) and 59–64°F air.
NEXT MOVE
If the bite dies by 9:00 AM, slide to 30–50 feet near the channel edges and vertical structure. Switch to a 1/2 oz Hopkins spoon or a live minnow rig on a slow jig. If the wind picks up, pound the wind-blown shore where waves break – that’s where the bait and trout will concentrate.