Submitted by Greg Crafts (ip 209.39.210.61)

Date Fished: 11/25/2004
Water Temperature: 68
Water Clarity: 0

The lake is 168.47 ft msl and rising- high pool is 172ft. Both generators are running 24/7. Water clarity on the north end of the lake is muddy to stained and clearing as you go south. On the north end of the lake we have a strong current and a lot of fresh muddy water pouring into the lake. Water temp is running in the mid 60s

I’d like to be able to give a glowing report on how the fish have been jumping in the boat but the last couple weeks have been very trying across the board in general. What a roller coaster we’ve been on when it comes to the weather and fishing patterns. Above normal temps, below normal temps, heavy rains, strong current and high winds have kept us covering a lot of water. The lake rose a foot and a half, SRA started generating and it started falling fast. Now, more rain and the lake is back on the rise with flash flood warnings forecast for the next couple days. A steady wind out of the north or south makes fishing the main lake difficult with the high water conditions. Some days have been excellent with limits of white bass and crappie brought in, but you can go back to the same spots the next day and not buy a bite; it’s enough to make your head spin. What an unusual fall we’ve had, and what unusual fishing patterns we’re experiencing for this time of year!

This time of year most of my inquiries and guided trips center on Crappie fishing.. Unfortunately, due to the weather and water conditions, we’ve taken off to a very slow start. Normally by the middle of October the Crappie start bunching up over brush tops along the old river channel in 15 to 25ft and will continue moving into deeper water as the water temp drops. With the fluctuating water levels, clarity and temperature, the Crappie have been scattered and the creels have been much less than we are use to seeing. Our better catches were coming from the river proper below Logansport in two to eight foot of water (unheard of for this time of year), but the recent rains have shut those fish down. Even the die- hard Crappie enthusiasts are saving their gas and waiting for the lake to settle down. Hopefully the lake will stabililize, clear up and we’ll still have a season that can run into February.

The Black Bass are all over the board also. A number of patterns are working from shallow to deep. Shallow fish in 1 to 5 ft of water along creek channel grass edges are being caught on buzz baits, spinner baits; top water plugs, finesse plastics, scum frogs and shallow diving crank baits. Main lake points, creek drops and river channel shelf and ledges are also holding some fish. Crank baits, jigs, slab spoons, tail spinners and Texas or Carolina rigs are also catching some fish. As the water temperature continues to cool and the lake stabilizes the bite should pick up. The schooling activity should also increase so keep a shallow diving crank bait, trap and top water plug handy when they start schooling.

The White Bass are also scattered with all the fresh water. When the lake settles down, concentrate on the main lake sand bars in 15 to 25 ft of water. Slab spoons and tail spinners working best. Keep a trap or shallow diving crank bait handy if they start schooling.

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