Merrill Lake update

The road is totally washed out, but there is a trail that runs down from the gate. The ramp area is fine (although I never saw it before, so can't compare). I was down there maybe a month ago. Not much in either the hatch or fish department, though.
 
PhilR said:
The road is totally washed out, but there is a trail that runs down from the gate. The ramp area is fine (although I never saw it before, so can't compare). I was down there maybe a month ago. Not much in either the hatch or fish department, though.
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Thanks for the info.

Just looking for some clarification. Are we still allowed to fish Merrill Lake if we park on the road at the gate and walk/pack down to the boat launch, in my case it would be a Fat Cat strapped onto my back? Or are we restricted to enter that area at all, even by foot?
I think there is other areas on the lake that you can hike down to with a float tube, but I am not sure where that is or if we are allowed to park on the road. I think it is a situation where the lake is still technically open to fish, but the campground, boat launch area is closed and you can't drive to it, but I am not sure if you can still park on the road hike down to the boat launch or not?

Not sure if they have stocked Merrill in the last couple of years due to this situation, but I am not sure if WDFW has even stocked it in the last 5 years. They used to periodically stock Rainbows in there but for whatever reason they would get that parasite/disease that you can see on the cutties and the rainbows were pretty sickly looking when you caught them and they didn't survive long. For whatever reason, the Browns are not impacted. I know that the cutties are all wild and not stocked, but not sure about the Browns if WDFW stocks the Browns as fingerlings or are they wild like the cutties as well?

Can anyone fill me in?

Thanks,
Peach
 
I fished it May 25th, and hiked a float tube down to the lake. There were two other people in float tubes, and when I finished there was an extended family swimming and picnicking at the ramp. I didn't see any signs about it being closed to fishing. There is room for two or three cars at the gate.

There are three signs at the gate:
- Do not Enter: Closed for Construction
- No Parking: Do not block the gate
- Discover Pass Required

I'd imagine that if you park off the road by the gate, and don't block it, especially on a weekend when there is obviously no construction, you'll be ok. Just show your Discover Pass :rolleyes:

But I've been wrong before.
 
Peach said:
Can anyone fill me in?
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-The lake is still open to fishing.
-The last time I was there DNR had no parking signs posted by the gate. If you park there, there’s a small chance of getting a parking ticket.
-There are other areas you can park and walk down, if you don’t want to chance getting a parking ticket.
-“catchable” Rainbow Trout have not been stocked in years (thankfully).
-There is no documented data showing Brown Trout successfully spawn in Merrill.
-Brown Trout are periodically stocked in Merrill.
 
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Paul_ said:
-The lake is still open to fishing.
-The last time I was there DNR had no parking signs posted by the gate. If you park there, there’s a small chance of getting a parking ticket.
-There are other areas you can park and walk down, if you don’t want to chance getting a parking ticket.
-“catchable” Rainbow Trout have not been stocked in years (thankfully).
-There is no documented data showing Brown Trout successfully spawn in Merrill.
-Brown Trout are periodically stocked in Merrill.
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Thanks Paul & Phil for basically answering my questions. Odd to think they don't want anyone to park next to the gate, but yet they have a sign to make sure you have your Discover Pass :)?

Besides the gate, where else can you park and hike down to the lake? Is it an established trail and easy to find or is it bushwhacking it down to the lake? I would like to have a fully inflated Fat Cat on my back, will these alternative paths allow that?

Sorry to be a pain but I would like to go up and fish sometime this Autumn and just trying to figure out the best way to get down to the lake :).

Peach
 
There’s quite a bit of room before the gate…maybe enough for a couple cars to park, and not actually “block the gate”. I think the reason for the sign was the plan to have equipment work on the washout.. but that won’t happen this year. The trail is on your left as you go around the gate.. fairly easy to spot, but looks a little steep for my old legs. I see where people have walked through the washout too.
Catch a fish, and post a report…
 
The trail is established-ish. I carried a float tube and a couple of rods. Totally doable
 
Sorry to bring this up again, too lazy to go research it myself, but what is the latest on the road, launch, and campground situation at Merrill this year?

Peach
 
Peach said:
Sorry to bring this up again, too lazy to go research it myself, but what is the latest on the road, launch, and campground situation at Merrill this year?

Peach
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This was from DNR-
"The culvert has to be manufactured and concrete footing designed and built. This is all moving forward, but at this point a definitive start isn’t totally clear. There could be some materials hauled on site in June to prep for construction, specifically rock. The schedule of work is still pending, mostly because of the culvert and footings, but the entire project is still moving forward as planned. I can’t give a solid completion date, but most likely the heavy construction work will be late summer, hopefully earlier but at this point that’s what we are estimating. The contract has penalties if not completed on time, so there is ample incentive to not extend beyond September."
 
That’s going to be a fun project
 
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