Fishing Reports News

Lake level is 296.16 ft. above sea level or .16 ft. above normal winter pool. Water is being released at the dam at a rate of 3,110 cubic ft. per second. Surface temperatures range in the lower 50s.

1. ABOVE HIGHWAY 43 — FAIR
Oddly enough, the surface temperatures have risen almost 8 degrees since the weekend, which is good news for bass fishermen and not so good for crappie anglers. Heavy wind and inclement weather have limited access since the weekend, but at that time the fishing was above average with bass fairly active and crappie biting good deep. The increase in water temperature will push bass up shallow on a feeding binge through the weekend. Crappie will slow down as they disperse through the water column.

2. UPPER MAIN LAKE — POOR
No reports at all Monday through Wednesday as wind made it impossible to fish. It was treacherous throughout the upper lake area Monday and Tuesday with the south winds blowing up the lake, and a cross wind Wednesday granted little relief. Making matters worse is that the report from the weekend was not a good one. Some crappie had been caught deep in the river channel and old lake beds but not in great numbers. Bass fishermen didn’t find a consistent pattern on the upper lake either. It could improve with the warming trend in forecast.

3. LOWER MAIN LAKE — POOR
Oddly enough, this was the only area of the lake that granted much safe refuge on Wednesday, albeit only the northwest corner along the Madison County bank. That was the lee side of the lake and also where the water was clearest. That’s the good news. The bad news is that the waters weren’t very productive. Bass had not moved up tight on the rocks, which warmed throughout the day. Crappie fishing was also poor. No catfish reports available.

4. PELAHATCHIE BAY — POOR
Ever tried to look through a glass of Borden’s Dutch Chocolate Milk? That’s exactly what the water looks like in most areas of the Bay. The heavy rains and strong winds muddied the water throughout the area, which won’t help what was already poor fishing for crappie and bass. The good news is that the catfish bite is above average. Several fishermen were catching cats on trotlines on shallow flats on both sides of the Bay and the key depth seemed to be 5-6 ft. Crappie fishing fair at the bridge.

5. THE SPILLWAY — POOR
The increase in the release of water through the dam hasn’t helped the fishing. James Hardy of Jackson was among the few found fishing on Wednesday and his report was sad. “Three hours, two fish, no keepers,” Hardy said. “I gave up on crappie real quick and started on the catfish and I have caught just two little ones. We need more water to bring more crappie.”

The February 2008 issue of Field & Stream has the “Best Fishing Towns in America” listed with Glenwood Springs, Colo., as No. 1 and Mountain Home as No. 2.

I have lived here for six years and was a Glenwood Springs resident for 19 years. Their scenery is beautiful and so is ours. They have a world class trout fishery and so do we. They can trout fish eight months of the year and we can do it for 12.

They also have more crowds, one-dimensional fishing (mainly trout), fewer fishing access points, more snow and higher prices. We have friendlier people, two gorgeous lakes with a wide variety of fishing species, open water year-round and a milder climate.

Upon further comparison how can they say we are No. 2?

In this colder weather it is tough to get fishing reports since few people are out on the water.

Bull Shoals Lake: The report is short and sweet — slow. The crappie have stopped biting. Casting stickbaits to shore in the evenings is producing an occasional walleye but, those that are caught are good sized. Bass fishing is up and down — depending on cold fronts, wind direction, etc.

Norfork Lake: Crappie and walleye are slow. Some bass are being caught by working shore-line structure with grubs or crankbaits. A slow presentation works the best this time of year.

Some stripers are being caught from 80 to 120 feet of water by spooning or using live bait in mid-lake areas. We caught some smaller ones trolling rogues shallower but the bigger fish right now are holding way deeper. Our best results for white bass this week were trolling with 3-inch swim tails at 1.5 m.p.h. in the upper lake — Red Bank and Bennett’s Bayou.

Tip of the Week:From now until spring one method a lot of us use is casting a light jig head with a paddle-tail grub or swim-tail type body. This is productive on points, etc., but next time try casting it to the deeper bluff walls and letting it sink down slowly while retrieving back to the boat.

You’ll be surprised at how many bass, walleye, and stripers hang near cliff walls in the wintertime. If there is a channel swing at either end — make some extra casts.

Winter cools off the Treasure Coast this week
January 4, 2008

INSHORE:

The new year was welcomed by Ol’ Man Winter this week on the Treasure Coast! Cool temperatures and lots of windy weather has reduced the options of fishing around the area and left most anglers wishing for a chance to get out on the water. The winds will be around for a while, so plan your adventures carefully and safely if you plan on venturing out to fish. Depending on the direction of the wind, you can find places in the river. Offshore will be another challenge for a while.

I did get out prior to the front moving into the area and the fishing has been good on the river. Trout has been the most prevalent bite. Now that they are back in season, many anglers will be targeting them for table fare this month. Some big trout have been on the flats, but look for them to move into deeper water as the area cools down now. Live shrimp on popping corks, DOA CAL jerk baits, top water and suspending lures can all get you some trout in the boat. Most grass flats have held trout, if you can get around the ladyfish and jacks to find them.

Redfish have continued to bite along the flats. Lots of reports of redfish from the Power Plant to the Moorings from anglers. Live shrimp, Gulp shrimp, DOA shrimp or jerk baits have all been working out there. The water is getting churned up this week and will take several days to clear back up once the weather clears up. Look for grassy flats with sand holes scattered through it for some opportunities for a redfish.

Snook fishing has slowed for now. Since the season closed, anglers have mostly been targeting fish that they can keep. Make sure you practice a safe catch and release on any snook you catch this time of year. Ladyfish and jacks are everywhere again. They will attack just about anything moving and are great to keep the kids occupied. Still lots of mackerel around the inlet and channels of the river. Croakers have been biting around the bridges and catwalks lately, along with some black drum. Still some flounder around the inlet and docks. Most of the reports are prior to the cold front moving in, so things could change as the weather clears. Hopefully, the pompano bite will improve with the cooler weather.

Surf: Some anglers are venturing out on the beach in spite of the windy weather. Look for pompano, whiting, mackerel, bluefish and jacks along the surf if it is fishable. Shrimp, sand fleas, small bucktail jigs and silver spoons are good choices along the beach. Good luck and keep warm!

Tip of the Week: As winter settles in on the Treasure Coast, windy conditions will be the norm on most days for the next several months. Small boats that cruise the river in search of a good fishing spot can be especially vulnerable to water blown around in the boat from choppy waves and blustery winds. Make sure cell phones or any things that could be damaged by salt water are stowed secure and dry from the conditions. Dry boxes or zip lock bags can save a cell phone or car keys from sure disaster from the effects of saltwater. Keep them safe and dry before you leave the dock!

By Captain Charlie’s Fish Tales Charters

DEP ANNOUNCES WINTER TROUT STOCKING

In anticipation of this winter’s freeze, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has completed its annual winter stocking of surplus broodstock brown trout. The DEP stocked approximately 1,100 surplus Seeforellen-strain broodstock, brown trout into fifteen lakes and ponds scattered throughout the State during the last two weeks of 2007. The fish released this winter were raised at the Kensington State Fish Hatchery and weigh between 1 and 15 pounds each. “These trout are spawned at the hatchery in the late fall and are then stocked out in the winter to provide additional opportunities for ice anglers to catch a large trout,” said Ed Parker, Chief of DEP’s Bureau of Natural Resources.

. In western Connecticut, a total of 545 broodstock were released into the following waters: Tyler Lake (Goshen) (150 fish), West Hill Pond (New Hartford/Barkhamsted) (150 fish), Stillwater Pond (Torrington) (30 fish), Mohawk Pond (Cornwall/Goshen) (60 fish), Mt. Tom Pond (Morris/Litchfield/Washington) (95 fish) and Westside Pond (Goshen) (60 fish).

In eastern Connecticut, Black Pond (Middlefield/Meriden), Black Pond (Woodstock), Crystal Lake (Ellington), Mashapaug Lake (Union) and Quonnipaug Lake (Guilford) each received 50 fish, and Amos Lake (Preston), Bashan Lake (East Haddam), Cedar Lake (Chester) and Long Pond (North Stonington) were stocked with 75 fish each

DEP reminds winter anglers that SAFETY COMES FIRST. Although it may look and feel like winter is upon the state, be aware that ice thickness varies on all water bodies due to a number of environmental factors including in-lake water circulatory patterns, snow cover and the type and amounts of recent precipitation. Please check the ice carefully before venturing out and check repeatedly to make sure that ice thickness is sufficient.

Anglers are reminded that the 2008 fishing and hunting licenses are now available and can be purchased at town halls, bait and tackle shops and many stores that sell outdoor sporting equipment. Anglers will soon be able to purchase their licenses online. The DEP advises anglers to check fishing regulations in their new 2008 Connecticut Angler’s Guide. Guides are available from Town Clerks, many bait and tackle stores and by contacting the DEP Inland Fisheries Division (860-424-FISH) or can be accessed on the DEP web site at: www.ct.gov/dep/fishing.

Rivers & streams - Colder water, frigid air temperatures and poor weather has stopped most some anglers from scoring while fishing for trout in the Housatonic, Farmington and Naugatuck rivers this week. A few bait dunkers had fair luck in both rivers. Broodstock Atlantic salmon fishing for salmon in the Naugatuck River and Shetucket River fishing has been slow.

Lakes & Ponds – Many smaller ponds and small lake coves had ice cover. Small ponds in northwest section of the state usually have the first safe ice. Several inches of snow on top of thin ice is a dangerous situation for on-ice sports. Conditions can change from day-to-day. It’s best to proceed with caution.

ICE FISHING REPORT

TROUT - For trout fishing try the following locations: Tyler Lake, Lake Waramaug, Highland Lake, Mohawk Pond, Mt. Tom Pond, West Side Pond, Black Pond (Middlefield) and West Hill Pond. Some good catches also reported from the West Branch Farmington River TMA, Naugatuck River and Pequonnock River. A 12-pound plus brown trout (28 5/8″) was caught and released from an unspecified location by a lucky angler (rumors would indicate Mt Tom Pond). Congratulations on a fine catch.

NORTHERN PIKE - Fishing for these monsters has been excellent with many fish being caught. Best reports are from Bantam Lake (catches up to 35″), Winchester Lake (including a 32″ pike), Pachaug Pond, and at Wethersfield Cove and White Oaks Cove along the Connecticut River.

PANFISH - Panfish are being caught in good numbers between the hours of 6:00 am-9:00 am for the early riser looking for cooperative quarry. Jigging with grubs on your favorite lure and moving from place to place is the way to go for these delicious fish. Locations to try include Tyler Lake (37 fish for one angler), Bantam Lake (100 fish for one group), Black Pond (Middlefield), Winchester Lake, West Hill Pond and West Side Pond.

CHAIN PICKEREL – The traditional favorite of ice fishermen, excellent pickerel fishing is reported at Tyler Lake, Lake Waramaug and Winchester Lake. LARGEMOUTH BASS - Bass are being found at Tyler Lake, Mashapaug Lake, Bantam Lake, Lake Waramaug, West Side Pond, Burr Pond, Mt. Tom Pond and Mohawk Pond.

The East Texas Fishing Report

ATHENS — Lake Athens is at normal level and clear. Water temp is in the low 50s.

Charles Spearman at Lake Athens Marina said bass anglers are reporting good numbers of slot fish using crankbaits and worms along drops and creek edges in 15-20 feet of water.

Crappie are fair on minnows soaked around brush piles in 25 feet of water. Catfish are fair to six pounds on jugs baited with shad.

CEDAR CREEK — Cedar Creek is about a foot low and slightly stained. Water temp is the low 50s.

Bass are fair to three pounds using Carolina rigs, jigs and crankbaits on main lake points with brush and around deeper boat docks.

Catfish are fair on shad drifted over deep humps and on punch bait. White bass and hybrid anglers are picking up partial limits using spoons on main lake points and humps.

PALESTINE — Lake Palestine is about normal level and clear. Water temp is in the low 50s.

Josh Meadows at Porter’s Sporting Goods said minnows and jigs are producing limits of crappie around the Highway 155 bridge pilings; most fish are suspended 12 feet down. Deep cedars along the edge of the Neches River near the dam also are holding fish.

Meadows said bass fishing reports were sparse over the holidays. Catfish are fair on punch bait soaked on bottom in 2-8 feet of water.

RICHLAND CHAMBERS — RC is about 1 1/2 feet low and fairly clear. Water temp is in the low 50s.

Catfish are fair to 20 pounds on jugs tipped with cut shad. Rod and reelers are picking up limits of blues and channels using punch bait and night crawlers in standing timber 15-20 feet deep and along windy shorelines.

Crappie and black bass are slow. White bass are fair on spoons bounced on humps and points in about 28 feet of water.

FORK — Lake Fork is three inches low and clear. Water temp is in the low 50s.

Chris Parker at the Minnow Bucket said bass fishing has been excellent to seven pounds on Rat-L-Traps, spinnerbaits, drop shot rigs and Storm swim baits. The best bite has been shallow around hydrilla in 6-8 feet of water.

Crappie fishing has been or miss. Parker said the better concentrations of fish are holding around deep brush in 30-35 feet of water. Points around the dam are hotspots. Catfish are good on punch bait and chicken gizzards fished beneath cormorant roosts and over stump flats.

NACOGDOCHES — Lake Nacogdoches is about 18 inches low and clear. Water temp is in the low 50s.

Bass fishing has been fair to six pounds on crankbaits, Rat-L-Traps and Texas rig plastics fished around scattered hydrilla in 3-8 feet of water. Crappie fishermen are picking up a few keepers using live shiners and jigs over deep brush piles.

SAM RAYBURN — The lake is about 5 1/2 feet below normal and clear. Water temp is in the low 50s.

Fishing guide Jeff Buchanan said Flukes, Senkos and spinnerbaits fished in relation to lily pad stems in 1-4 feet of water are producing good numbers of quality fish up to 4 1/2 pounds. The bite has been best under the warm, afternoon sun. Rat-L-Traps are working around grass patches in 1-5 feet of water.

Buchanan said crappie anglers are picking up steady limits using live shiners and jigs along the edges of the Angelina River just south of the Highway 103 bridge.

TOLEDO BEND — T-Bend is about 3 1/2 feet below normal and clear. Water temperature is in the low 50s.

Fishing guide Stephen Johnston said bass fishing has been fair on 1/2 ounce spoons fished vertical in standing timber in 35-40 feet of water. There also has been a decent bite along outside grass lines using a 1/2-ounce jig and DD22 crankbait.

Johnston said the mid-lake crappie bite has slowed down considerably in recent weeks, mainly because of rising, dirty water.

PINKSTON — Lake Pinkston is about one-foot low and clear. Water temp is in the low 50s.

Fishing guide Alan Spruiell said all fishing has been slow. Not much traffic on the water over the holidays.

Spruiell suggested that crappie anglers target deep brush tops and creek bends with stumps using live shiners or jigs. For bass, work jigs, Carolina rigs and Texas rig plastics slowly around outside grass edges, on points and along creek channel breaks in 8-22 feet of water.