I have two weeks off and want to fish the Narrows. How compatible is the access road for a 24' motor home and boat? Do you have to go in through Thatcher?
Any help is appreciated...
Thx in advance
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Very rough and narrow dirt road, especially from the Thacher end once you get past the Hot Springs.
I don't pull a boat up there, so I am not a good judge on the launch facilities. I do know that there are ramps at the dam and at Maple Grove Campground, but I don't know how the clearances and turning radiuses are for a motor home. I would say maybe at the dam, and no at the Maple Grove Campground, but I don't really know for sure. The road to MG Campground is very narrow from either direction.
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Here is a 2011 sat image of the dam launch. They have expanded the park, but there is still not very much.
[inline "Oneida Dam.jpg"]
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The road is only narrow from the dam boat launch to the camp ground. It might get a little sticky if there is are to many other cars, but it is probably doable. there is also a camp ground on the river below the dam that you would have no trouble with, but I'm guessing you would want to camp on the lake.
It's kind of a long dirt road, but it's actually pretty good most the way up. Your rig will get absolutely filthy though, you want your boat cover on for the drive. You do not want to go through thatcher.
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Sounds like the OP needs to go up and do a pre trip and see for himself IMO...
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Ya thanks everyone... we going to go up for a look see this evening. I'd hate to drag the boat up there behind the coach just to have to unhook and flip the rig around...
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If it helps your decision I used to pull my 19' Four Winns to Oneida behind my 27' 5th wheel behind my Dodge 2500 quad cab shortbed.
There is a point of no-return but I knew the last big loop where I could turn around safely. Get on Google maps and you will find the last point to turn around very easily. I would get all set up and then every morning just pull the boat up to the dam launch behind the truck.
Awesome place to fish and awesome memories for the whole family.
I have been meaning to go up with a tent and my tin can behind the truck and camp in the shade of Maple Grove for a long weekend but I just never seem to find the time. I haven't been up there for at least 10 years
ly.
Any fishing reports lately?
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Ok we're doing it... drove up last night to scope it out per advice from the forum. I fell in love, what a gorgeous spot. The thought of Narrows lake walleye fishing has me enchanted. We saw some huge splashes all over the reservoir around 6-7 pm. Looks like a lot of carp may be in there as well.
Can't find a lot about the trout fishing above the dam but I would imagine they are in there as well. Talked with one gent that had been slaying the smallies so I am stoked to explore a new fishery.
Any walleye advice from experienced Narrows fisherman greatly appreciated.
Attached is one shot of the launch and one from further up past the Maple Grove campground. We're going to try and stake a claim in the Maple Grove camp ground, if anyone is the area stop buy and say hi and have a brew if you care to.... always hot coffee too!
thanks guys....
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Reelmasta,
Please do me a favor if you don't mind. Please report back on the conditions of Maple Grove. Fee area, tent camping in the shade, launching for a 18' boat, ability/safety of leaving your boat in the water overnight, toilets, drinking water, etc?
Thanks man and good luck, Shane
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Last night the campground was completely empty. Fee, I think I read, was only $5.00. Nice looking toilets (from the outside anyway) and picnic tables. Lots of sites buried in the trees.
We're taking our 19' Trophy and as long as your good at backing up should be no problems... The dirt road in was in great shape. Hopefully the rain tonight doesn't mess it all up.
Hopefully pics to follow. We're heading up Wed morning, will be just Cuddy Buddy and myself so got room in boat. If your up for some cold morning fishing I'd be glad to offer a seat. I think we'll be running the riggers and as usual... throwing for smallies. Not sure how to fish the lake for Walleye but I sure would like to get into them....
PM if your up. Open invite... life jacket not included.
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Thanks but impossible this weekend. Very kind of you to offer.
I kind of remember the tent sites having plenty of shade, just needed a confirmation.
Any drinking water and will you be able to leave your boat in the water over night?
No problem backing, been doing it a long, long time.
I used to catch plenty of eyes there jigging in 10'-20' water. Also throwing deep diving cranks and pulling them away from shore. In the evening could limit by tossing Rapalas directly in to the froth immediately below the dam and bringing them back to the rocks.
Enjoy!
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Be carfull with your camper. Three times ive watched campers get riped open up there backing into there spot. Some of them spots look bigger than they are.. So just be carfull. And hopefully the camp host isnt there yet when you go. They havnt been there yet but they are very rude people and will harass the heck out of you. Last time I went camping they came and yelled at us for having a camp fire during the day at my kids birthday party. Then chewed out another camp site for there camp having to much light. And most of them fish you see jumping are carp.. Watch out for logs when boating. You will see the occasional floating tree out there. Trout fishing is ok on the reservoir its self. They are closer to the dam. And close to shore. Oh and if you dont want any unwanted visitors like skunks make sure there is no food or anything in any of the camp sights around.. There are alot of skunks up there.. Walleye fishing and small mouth is doing great right now.. Best of luck to you..
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Definitely a lot of skunks up there. I was entertained by one while I was out in my tube one time that was wrestling with a dead carp that was bigger than it was. Pretty funny stuff.
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Trout aren't stocked in Oneida and haven't been for at least 40 years, but some do come down the river from rainbows that are planted a ways above there.
Might I suggest that if you catch a cutthroat though, that you release it. I think they might be legal, as the rules on not keeping them mention above the Oneida confluence, so it is up to you. They are wild natives to the area. There aren't many in that part of the river yet, but hopefully they will increase. F&G and many other groups have been working to reconnect some of the spawning creeks above there and return the Bonnies to the area. It would be nice to see them make it back to their creeks. Thanks! [cool]
Most of the fish jumping you saw are probably carp. There are huge pods of carp that cruise in there. They can be a lot of fun to catch too. They fight like a crazy man on crack!
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TYVM for the advice...We're loaded and heading out... Too much to still do, Idaho fishing license... invasive species paperwork for my third state... lol... ect, ect, ect... ... OMG... IDK... LMNOP!
A whole new world to explore...
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One word for smallies at Oneida, topwaters!
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Never caught a cut from the reservoir. But I almoast always catch one or two rainbows when I go. When I get tired of casting and reeling. Ill put on a worm with powerbait and put a bobber about 3 feet above the hook. Workes almoast every time for a rainbow from there. I want to find the perch in there.. After the one year ice fishing it I found them then. But during soft water I cant find them . Except for the occasional loner. The perch in there are such colorfull perch?
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Best of luck that area is a blast this time of year. Walleye liked the crawlers up there so take plenty and you don't have to go far from the launch at the grove to be in fish. I'm jealous two weeks would be a total riot. Skunks are a problem they will be in your camp at night probably while your still up. A fun day trip would be floating the river below it has mild rapids that are fun plus lots of fishing along the way. Just a tube or pontoon works great. Later J
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