04-26-2006, 05:16 PM
April 20, 2006
DOUGLAS RESERVOIR: (4/20/06) - The creel clerk will be working on Cherokee Lake during 2006. Fishing reports for Douglas will resume in 2007.
CHEROKEE RESERVOIR: (4/20/06) -
WATER CONDITIONS:
The water level is still on the rise with surface temperatures reaching 65 degrees up in the day. The water is fairly clear on the main parts and murky on others.
SUMMARY:
Largemouth and smallmouth bass are active in early morning and late evenings. Fish the flats, points, and creeks. Pop-r's, Carolina rigs, spinner baits, or spooks fished 1 to 10 feet deep are the best producers.
Striped bass and Cherokee bass can be found from Point 1 to Point 8 and Point 17 on up to Point 27. Use shad, large pink or white jigs with twister grubs. Troll fishing at different depths produces best.
Crappie are on brush piles, submerged trees along bluffs, and in creeks. Fish 2 to 12 feet deep with jig & minnow or a small bandit crank bait.
Catfish and white bass are being caught up in the main parts of the river at Cherokee Boat Dock on up to the John Sevier Steam Plant.
NORRIS RESERVOIR: (4/20/06) -
WATER CONDITIONS:
The current lake elevation is1013.1-feet and is predicted to rise about 8-inches over the next two days. The lake rose 1.7 feet during the past week. Afternoon water temperature readings are in the mid-60's in the channels; higher in the backs of protected hollows. The lake water is clear on the lower end. The heads of some of the larger creeks and the headwaters of both river arms are clearing from the stained conditions which existed, last week. The upper half of the lake has a bit more color than the lower end. TWRA's Reservoir Data Collection web site, www.tnfish.org, has other useful information on TWRA's Norris fishery, fish identification photos, map links and fishing reports on other lakes in east Tennessee.
SUMMARY:
The rapid rise in the water level moderated over the last few days, helping fishing a bit. LARGEMOUTH and SPOTTED BASS are hitting well in the backs of the creeks and coves. Largemouth bass are seeking spawning sites on the flats near channels and adjacent to brush, stumps or boulders. SMALLMOUTH BASS are in the middle of the spawn. Some pre-spawn females are still being caught on points at about the 10-foot depth, but this fishing slowed since last week's report. STRIPED BASS are hitting on the lower Powell and on the Clinch above Hickory Star, as well as in the larger creek embayments. Early morning has been best. CRAPPIE remain slow, but improved since the lake level steadied. They're in the hollows, near brush. WALLEYE are hit'n miss: some trips are yielding good walleye for some anglers while others may go skunked on the same day. The lower end has seen nice walleye caught on large willowleaf spinners or crankbaits near wood structure.
SMALLMOUTH BASS
Fair.
10 to 15 feet on the points; best early or at night.
Smallmouth are in the midst of their spawn. Fish the gravel points slowly, on the bottom for pre-spawn fish. Post-spawners are being caught in the same locations. Use 1/4 ounce or 3/8 ounce pig'n jigs (black and pumpkin color combinations with blues or orange highlights and tipped with larger pork chunks) fished deep, along the bottom, on points. 3-inch Slider/Finesse worms (in green, pumpkin or bubble gum colors) or chrome willowleaf spinnerbaits slow rolled near the bottom have been good. One of the better lures is a 1/4 ounce, dark green hair jig tipped with a small minnow, fished slowly on the bottom on points or along gravel/broken rock banks.
LARGEMOUTH & SPOTTED BASS
Good.
Surface to 10-feet.
Bright colored jerkbaits fished with a rapid retrieve along broken rock banks and in the back of creek hollows and coves. Finesse or Slider worms in the same locations, but retrieved slowly along the bottom, or allowed to drift down, slowly, in wood structure. Chrome willowleaf spinners in the creek hollow and coves near floating wood debris or other wood structure. 3/8 to 1/2-ounce hair jigs tipped with large pork chunks on rocky, steeper banks. The backs of the hollows are warming considerably more than the channels, and are producing fish. Small, shallow-running crankbaits (Bandits, Fat Raps, Rat'l Traps), retrieved slowly, parallel to, and very close to rocky banks. Crawfish or dark red colors have done well, as has light tan or yellow.
CRAPPIE
Slow, due to the rapid water rise.
5 to 15-feet, in the brush along steep banks in large creek embayments. Also in the headwaters in deep, shoreline trees and brush. In Sycamore Creek and near Point 33 on the Clinch arm, trolling the bottom with doll flies tipped with small minnows, or fish shoreline brush. Shallower in early morning and at dusk. Small tube jigs, popeye flies, or minnows in the brush. Davis Creek; Sycamore Creek; the river channels of both the Clinch (above Point 32) and the Powell (above Point 15) are good when fishing in deep water brush/downed trees.
WALLEYE
Moderate, improving.
On the lower end: 10 feet on banks with red clay, broken rock and wood structure. May be suspended at the end of downed treetops at the 10 foot depth. At dusk and after dark, cast ShadRaps, Bombers or similar plugs, or willowleaf spinners to the bank. Night fishing with lantern light and shad or alewife is starting to produce some fish.
STRIPED BASS
Fair.
Surface to 20-feet deep.
Driftline on the surface and to 15-feet with shad or alewife. Striped bass are starting their spring run to the headwaters of the large creek embayments and the Powell and Clinch arms. On the lower end: Lost Creek, the lower 3 miles of the Powell river and the Clinch near Crooked Creek produced some striped bass.
SOUTH HOLSTON RESERVOIR: (4/20/06) -
WATER CONDITIONS:
The water surface temperatures have been in the mid to upper-60's this week. The lake is fairly clear but some stained water is located towards the upper end. The lake level at the dam as of 7:00 p.m. Wednesday w as 1,721.39 feet above sea level.
SUMMARY:
Bass fishing has been a little slow this week. Mid-morning to about noon is when the bass seem to be the most active. Crankbaits and jerkbaits seem to be taking the majority of the bass caught. Some bass also have been hitting the float and fly and spoons, but this action is about done for the year. Most anglers report finding the bass shallow in the mornings when there is a slight breeze blowing on cloudy days. This has been the best time to be throwing a jerkbait or crankbait. Look for these bass to be on feeding flats or off points. The largemouth have moved up shallow in backs of coves in their pre spawn pattern. The one jerkbait that seems to be out producing all others this past week has been the purple backed Smithwick Rattlin Rogue. When the jerkbait is not working, then the Shad Rap crankbait seems to be bringing them in. A Bandit crankbait has also been catching some fish the last couple weeks. The largemouth seem to be especially hitting the jerkbaits while the smallmouth seem to like the crankbaits.
Crappie fishing has been slow but should be picking up soon. Anglers are having the best success with small 1/16 or 1/32 jig heads with green or chartreuse grubs or flies in Painter Creek or Big and Little Jacobs Creeks. Most of the fish taken seem to be in about 8-15 feet of water. Try tipping jigs with minnows if fishing is slow.
Walleye fishing has been a little slower than last week, but several good fish are still being caught. What fish are being caught, are being taken primarily at night or first thing in the mornings from the 421 Bridge down towards the dam. A nightcrawler rig fished in 10 to20 feet of water has been the most effective.
Trout fishing continues to be slow with not much being reported.
BOONE RESERVOIR: (4/20/06) -
WATER CONDITIONS:
Water surface temperatures were in the upper-60's around noon of this week. The lake is dingy from the rain of this week, but clearer water can be found towards the dam. The lake level at the dam as of 7:00 p.m. Wednesday was 1,3 79.13 feet above sea level.
SUMMARY:
Bass fishing has been fair. The bass are being found shallow in abundant numbers. Almost any shallow point or flat seems to be holding good numbers of fish right now. Brush and treetops have also been producing quality bass. Fish the brush and treetops with a spinnerbait or a dark colored plastic worm or lizard with its tail tipped in chartreuse. White and green or chartreuse spinnerbaits with willow blades seem to be the hot spinnerbaits this week. Most of the bass now seem to be on or close to being in the pre-spawn pattern. Look for crankbaits and hard jerkbaits to be most effective during this period. This is what most fishermen have been using on the shallow points and flats and being successful. A Rattlin Rogue, Long "A" Bomber, or a Husky Jerk jerkbait would be the best to try, while a small Shad Rap or Bandit crankbait in chartreuse or red color would be the crankbaits of choice. The pig-n-jig and flukes should also pick up some good numbers of fish when the water clarity clears up some. The jerkbait seems to be most effective fairly shallow around rip-rap or brushy cover early in the mornings when there is a slight chop on the water.
Striper and hybrid action continues to get better. This is about the best time to find that really big one. The best notable action has been found on the South Holston side, trolling shad in about 15-20 feet of water. The Sugar Hollow area and Muddy Creek area seems to be hot spots the last couple of weeks. In the bend at Davis Dock has been holding some good fish too. White hair jigs and Zara Spooks have also proven to be effective.
Crappie fishing was slow this week. Most of the crappie anglers report using small jigheads with chartreuse grubs or flies, tipped with a minnow, fished in about 6-8 feet of water around fallen or submerged treetops or stumps. The best areas to be fishing right now seem to be on the Holston side, but treetops at Boones Creek and Reedy Creek on the Watauga end should also be holding some good crappie. With the water levels back up into the treetops, look for the crappie to really start hitting in the next few weeks.
MELTON HILL RESERVOIR: (4/20/06) -
WATER CONDITIONS:
Water surface temperatures are averaging the mid-60's to 70 degrees. The warm sunny days are bringing the water surface temperatures up nicely. The water is still a little stained from all the rain we received.
SUMMARY:
Looks like spring is here to stay.
BLUEGILL
Improving.
5 to 15 feet.
Bluegill are starting to hit, and are being caught in the same brushpiles that the crappie were in. Some nice ones are being caught while crappie fishing. Try some crickets for some nice size bluegill. They are also hitting minnows very well too.
CRAPPIE
Improving.
3 to 10 feet.
Crappie are starting to move back out just a little bit. Seems like they are moving from right up on the bank, back out in 3 to 7 feet of water, and as deep as 10 feet. Minnows on the float and fly are still doing pretty well, along with just a grub in green or white color.
LARGEMOUTH AND SPOTTED BASS
Improving.
3 to 15 feet.
Bass are still hitting good on crankbaits, but are also starting to hit 6-inch lizards on Texas rig in pumpkin seed and watermelon seed colors. Crankbaits on the points and flats. Lizards in the rocks and under the docks. Spinnerbaits in chartreuse and white, or just white.
SMALLMOUTH
Improving.
5 to 20 feet.
Some nice smallmouth are being caught right now. Try the pig and jig in crawfish colors in heavy cover. Also try the float and fly with or without tipping with minnow. Try bandit crankbaits on the flats around big patches of stumps. Shad imitators are working nicely. Also try lizards in pumpkin seed or watermelon seed colors. Flukes in shad colors and pearl white are starting to take a few.
STRIPED BASS
Moderate.
Surface to 30 feet .
Most are being caught on live shad either trolled or cast on long rocky banks. Also try big crankbaits in the stumps and on the flats. You can also catch some below the dam on days when the water is running.
MUSKY
Improving.
Surface to 15 feet.
Musky are starting to hit better. Use your big jerkbaits like the Thunderstick, and Shallow Invader, also the big Rapala. Mostly around the big brushpiles and big blown down trees. A lot of bass fishermen are having musky chase their crankbaits all the way up to the boat.
TELLICO RESERVOIR: (4/20/06) -
WATER CONDITIONS:
Surface temperatures are averaging from the mid-60's to 70 degrees with the water mostly clear with some color. The lake is almost all the way back to full pool.
SUMMARY:
The spring weather is looking good for this week, with highs in the 70's and low 80's, which also means some night fishing. Cool mornings are perfect out on the lake catching some nice fish and having a cup of coffee.
BLUEGILL
Improving.
5 to 30 feet.
Bluegill are hitting nicely in the brush. Most are being caught on minnows while crappie fishing. Some really nice ones are being caught in the same brushpiles that the crappie are in. Crickets work well, as well as red worms. The slip bobber system works very good for adjusting your depth to get to the deeper ones.
CRAPPIE
Very good.
3 to 10 feet .
Crappie are moving back out a little bit now, with the warmer water. Try fishing the brushpiles in 3 to 7 feet. Some are being caught at 10 feet also. Minnows are still the best bet for bigger fish.
LARGEMOUTH AND SPOTTED BASS
Improving.
3 to 15 feet.
Crankbaits are doing pretty well right now in shad imitating colors, cranked off the points and flats. 6-inch lizards in pumpkin seed color are starting to take some nice bass around the rocks and stumps. Don't forget to pitch up under boat docks and overhanging trees.
SMALLMOUTH
Improving.
Smallmouth are starting to feed better also. They seem to like the crankbaits a little better right now. But the smallmouth are hitting the spinnerbaits too. They also seem to like the lizards and crayfish imitations around the rocky points and bluffs.
SAUGER AND WALLEYE
Improving.
A few sauger and walleye are being caught in the headwaters. Try trolling with nightcrawler harness and also try trolling two grubs, about 18 inches apart. Red heads with dark green bodies is a very popular combination. Also try night fishing for these toothy critters.
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DOUGLAS RESERVOIR: (4/20/06) - The creel clerk will be working on Cherokee Lake during 2006. Fishing reports for Douglas will resume in 2007.
CHEROKEE RESERVOIR: (4/20/06) -
WATER CONDITIONS:
The water level is still on the rise with surface temperatures reaching 65 degrees up in the day. The water is fairly clear on the main parts and murky on others.
SUMMARY:
Largemouth and smallmouth bass are active in early morning and late evenings. Fish the flats, points, and creeks. Pop-r's, Carolina rigs, spinner baits, or spooks fished 1 to 10 feet deep are the best producers.
Striped bass and Cherokee bass can be found from Point 1 to Point 8 and Point 17 on up to Point 27. Use shad, large pink or white jigs with twister grubs. Troll fishing at different depths produces best.
Crappie are on brush piles, submerged trees along bluffs, and in creeks. Fish 2 to 12 feet deep with jig & minnow or a small bandit crank bait.
Catfish and white bass are being caught up in the main parts of the river at Cherokee Boat Dock on up to the John Sevier Steam Plant.
NORRIS RESERVOIR: (4/20/06) -
WATER CONDITIONS:
The current lake elevation is1013.1-feet and is predicted to rise about 8-inches over the next two days. The lake rose 1.7 feet during the past week. Afternoon water temperature readings are in the mid-60's in the channels; higher in the backs of protected hollows. The lake water is clear on the lower end. The heads of some of the larger creeks and the headwaters of both river arms are clearing from the stained conditions which existed, last week. The upper half of the lake has a bit more color than the lower end. TWRA's Reservoir Data Collection web site, www.tnfish.org, has other useful information on TWRA's Norris fishery, fish identification photos, map links and fishing reports on other lakes in east Tennessee.
SUMMARY:
The rapid rise in the water level moderated over the last few days, helping fishing a bit. LARGEMOUTH and SPOTTED BASS are hitting well in the backs of the creeks and coves. Largemouth bass are seeking spawning sites on the flats near channels and adjacent to brush, stumps or boulders. SMALLMOUTH BASS are in the middle of the spawn. Some pre-spawn females are still being caught on points at about the 10-foot depth, but this fishing slowed since last week's report. STRIPED BASS are hitting on the lower Powell and on the Clinch above Hickory Star, as well as in the larger creek embayments. Early morning has been best. CRAPPIE remain slow, but improved since the lake level steadied. They're in the hollows, near brush. WALLEYE are hit'n miss: some trips are yielding good walleye for some anglers while others may go skunked on the same day. The lower end has seen nice walleye caught on large willowleaf spinners or crankbaits near wood structure.
SMALLMOUTH BASS
Fair.
10 to 15 feet on the points; best early or at night.
Smallmouth are in the midst of their spawn. Fish the gravel points slowly, on the bottom for pre-spawn fish. Post-spawners are being caught in the same locations. Use 1/4 ounce or 3/8 ounce pig'n jigs (black and pumpkin color combinations with blues or orange highlights and tipped with larger pork chunks) fished deep, along the bottom, on points. 3-inch Slider/Finesse worms (in green, pumpkin or bubble gum colors) or chrome willowleaf spinnerbaits slow rolled near the bottom have been good. One of the better lures is a 1/4 ounce, dark green hair jig tipped with a small minnow, fished slowly on the bottom on points or along gravel/broken rock banks.
LARGEMOUTH & SPOTTED BASS
Good.
Surface to 10-feet.
Bright colored jerkbaits fished with a rapid retrieve along broken rock banks and in the back of creek hollows and coves. Finesse or Slider worms in the same locations, but retrieved slowly along the bottom, or allowed to drift down, slowly, in wood structure. Chrome willowleaf spinners in the creek hollow and coves near floating wood debris or other wood structure. 3/8 to 1/2-ounce hair jigs tipped with large pork chunks on rocky, steeper banks. The backs of the hollows are warming considerably more than the channels, and are producing fish. Small, shallow-running crankbaits (Bandits, Fat Raps, Rat'l Traps), retrieved slowly, parallel to, and very close to rocky banks. Crawfish or dark red colors have done well, as has light tan or yellow.
CRAPPIE
Slow, due to the rapid water rise.
5 to 15-feet, in the brush along steep banks in large creek embayments. Also in the headwaters in deep, shoreline trees and brush. In Sycamore Creek and near Point 33 on the Clinch arm, trolling the bottom with doll flies tipped with small minnows, or fish shoreline brush. Shallower in early morning and at dusk. Small tube jigs, popeye flies, or minnows in the brush. Davis Creek; Sycamore Creek; the river channels of both the Clinch (above Point 32) and the Powell (above Point 15) are good when fishing in deep water brush/downed trees.
WALLEYE
Moderate, improving.
On the lower end: 10 feet on banks with red clay, broken rock and wood structure. May be suspended at the end of downed treetops at the 10 foot depth. At dusk and after dark, cast ShadRaps, Bombers or similar plugs, or willowleaf spinners to the bank. Night fishing with lantern light and shad or alewife is starting to produce some fish.
STRIPED BASS
Fair.
Surface to 20-feet deep.
Driftline on the surface and to 15-feet with shad or alewife. Striped bass are starting their spring run to the headwaters of the large creek embayments and the Powell and Clinch arms. On the lower end: Lost Creek, the lower 3 miles of the Powell river and the Clinch near Crooked Creek produced some striped bass.
SOUTH HOLSTON RESERVOIR: (4/20/06) -
WATER CONDITIONS:
The water surface temperatures have been in the mid to upper-60's this week. The lake is fairly clear but some stained water is located towards the upper end. The lake level at the dam as of 7:00 p.m. Wednesday w as 1,721.39 feet above sea level.
SUMMARY:
Bass fishing has been a little slow this week. Mid-morning to about noon is when the bass seem to be the most active. Crankbaits and jerkbaits seem to be taking the majority of the bass caught. Some bass also have been hitting the float and fly and spoons, but this action is about done for the year. Most anglers report finding the bass shallow in the mornings when there is a slight breeze blowing on cloudy days. This has been the best time to be throwing a jerkbait or crankbait. Look for these bass to be on feeding flats or off points. The largemouth have moved up shallow in backs of coves in their pre spawn pattern. The one jerkbait that seems to be out producing all others this past week has been the purple backed Smithwick Rattlin Rogue. When the jerkbait is not working, then the Shad Rap crankbait seems to be bringing them in. A Bandit crankbait has also been catching some fish the last couple weeks. The largemouth seem to be especially hitting the jerkbaits while the smallmouth seem to like the crankbaits.
Crappie fishing has been slow but should be picking up soon. Anglers are having the best success with small 1/16 or 1/32 jig heads with green or chartreuse grubs or flies in Painter Creek or Big and Little Jacobs Creeks. Most of the fish taken seem to be in about 8-15 feet of water. Try tipping jigs with minnows if fishing is slow.
Walleye fishing has been a little slower than last week, but several good fish are still being caught. What fish are being caught, are being taken primarily at night or first thing in the mornings from the 421 Bridge down towards the dam. A nightcrawler rig fished in 10 to20 feet of water has been the most effective.
Trout fishing continues to be slow with not much being reported.
BOONE RESERVOIR: (4/20/06) -
WATER CONDITIONS:
Water surface temperatures were in the upper-60's around noon of this week. The lake is dingy from the rain of this week, but clearer water can be found towards the dam. The lake level at the dam as of 7:00 p.m. Wednesday was 1,3 79.13 feet above sea level.
SUMMARY:
Bass fishing has been fair. The bass are being found shallow in abundant numbers. Almost any shallow point or flat seems to be holding good numbers of fish right now. Brush and treetops have also been producing quality bass. Fish the brush and treetops with a spinnerbait or a dark colored plastic worm or lizard with its tail tipped in chartreuse. White and green or chartreuse spinnerbaits with willow blades seem to be the hot spinnerbaits this week. Most of the bass now seem to be on or close to being in the pre-spawn pattern. Look for crankbaits and hard jerkbaits to be most effective during this period. This is what most fishermen have been using on the shallow points and flats and being successful. A Rattlin Rogue, Long "A" Bomber, or a Husky Jerk jerkbait would be the best to try, while a small Shad Rap or Bandit crankbait in chartreuse or red color would be the crankbaits of choice. The pig-n-jig and flukes should also pick up some good numbers of fish when the water clarity clears up some. The jerkbait seems to be most effective fairly shallow around rip-rap or brushy cover early in the mornings when there is a slight chop on the water.
Striper and hybrid action continues to get better. This is about the best time to find that really big one. The best notable action has been found on the South Holston side, trolling shad in about 15-20 feet of water. The Sugar Hollow area and Muddy Creek area seems to be hot spots the last couple of weeks. In the bend at Davis Dock has been holding some good fish too. White hair jigs and Zara Spooks have also proven to be effective.
Crappie fishing was slow this week. Most of the crappie anglers report using small jigheads with chartreuse grubs or flies, tipped with a minnow, fished in about 6-8 feet of water around fallen or submerged treetops or stumps. The best areas to be fishing right now seem to be on the Holston side, but treetops at Boones Creek and Reedy Creek on the Watauga end should also be holding some good crappie. With the water levels back up into the treetops, look for the crappie to really start hitting in the next few weeks.
MELTON HILL RESERVOIR: (4/20/06) -
WATER CONDITIONS:
Water surface temperatures are averaging the mid-60's to 70 degrees. The warm sunny days are bringing the water surface temperatures up nicely. The water is still a little stained from all the rain we received.
SUMMARY:
Looks like spring is here to stay.
BLUEGILL
Improving.
5 to 15 feet.
Bluegill are starting to hit, and are being caught in the same brushpiles that the crappie were in. Some nice ones are being caught while crappie fishing. Try some crickets for some nice size bluegill. They are also hitting minnows very well too.
CRAPPIE
Improving.
3 to 10 feet.
Crappie are starting to move back out just a little bit. Seems like they are moving from right up on the bank, back out in 3 to 7 feet of water, and as deep as 10 feet. Minnows on the float and fly are still doing pretty well, along with just a grub in green or white color.
LARGEMOUTH AND SPOTTED BASS
Improving.
3 to 15 feet.
Bass are still hitting good on crankbaits, but are also starting to hit 6-inch lizards on Texas rig in pumpkin seed and watermelon seed colors. Crankbaits on the points and flats. Lizards in the rocks and under the docks. Spinnerbaits in chartreuse and white, or just white.
SMALLMOUTH
Improving.
5 to 20 feet.
Some nice smallmouth are being caught right now. Try the pig and jig in crawfish colors in heavy cover. Also try the float and fly with or without tipping with minnow. Try bandit crankbaits on the flats around big patches of stumps. Shad imitators are working nicely. Also try lizards in pumpkin seed or watermelon seed colors. Flukes in shad colors and pearl white are starting to take a few.
STRIPED BASS
Moderate.
Surface to 30 feet .
Most are being caught on live shad either trolled or cast on long rocky banks. Also try big crankbaits in the stumps and on the flats. You can also catch some below the dam on days when the water is running.
MUSKY
Improving.
Surface to 15 feet.
Musky are starting to hit better. Use your big jerkbaits like the Thunderstick, and Shallow Invader, also the big Rapala. Mostly around the big brushpiles and big blown down trees. A lot of bass fishermen are having musky chase their crankbaits all the way up to the boat.
TELLICO RESERVOIR: (4/20/06) -
WATER CONDITIONS:
Surface temperatures are averaging from the mid-60's to 70 degrees with the water mostly clear with some color. The lake is almost all the way back to full pool.
SUMMARY:
The spring weather is looking good for this week, with highs in the 70's and low 80's, which also means some night fishing. Cool mornings are perfect out on the lake catching some nice fish and having a cup of coffee.
BLUEGILL
Improving.
5 to 30 feet.
Bluegill are hitting nicely in the brush. Most are being caught on minnows while crappie fishing. Some really nice ones are being caught in the same brushpiles that the crappie are in. Crickets work well, as well as red worms. The slip bobber system works very good for adjusting your depth to get to the deeper ones.
CRAPPIE
Very good.
3 to 10 feet .
Crappie are moving back out a little bit now, with the warmer water. Try fishing the brushpiles in 3 to 7 feet. Some are being caught at 10 feet also. Minnows are still the best bet for bigger fish.
LARGEMOUTH AND SPOTTED BASS
Improving.
3 to 15 feet.
Crankbaits are doing pretty well right now in shad imitating colors, cranked off the points and flats. 6-inch lizards in pumpkin seed color are starting to take some nice bass around the rocks and stumps. Don't forget to pitch up under boat docks and overhanging trees.
SMALLMOUTH
Improving.
Smallmouth are starting to feed better also. They seem to like the crankbaits a little better right now. But the smallmouth are hitting the spinnerbaits too. They also seem to like the lizards and crayfish imitations around the rocky points and bluffs.
SAUGER AND WALLEYE
Improving.
A few sauger and walleye are being caught in the headwaters. Try trolling with nightcrawler harness and also try trolling two grubs, about 18 inches apart. Red heads with dark green bodies is a very popular combination. Also try night fishing for these toothy critters.
[signature]