Normal Lake Level – 131.0
Current Lake Level – 130.63
Water Temperature – 80′-85′
Water Clarity – south lake clearing, mid lake,off color, upper river channel clearing.
FISHING FORECAST – Great fishing on Lake Livingston is now starting to bounce back after the flash floods from hurricane Harvey. After 30 years living on the banks of Lake Livingston I had never seen the lake rise and fall so much so fast as during the recent storm. This unsettling of the lake is never good for fishing short term. However, given time is good for fishing as the lake settles back out and the fish reestablish their patterns Great fall fishing is cranking up now on Lake Livingston. The water is in great shape and good reports of fishing are coming in from all parts of the Lake. White Bass, Crappie, Black Bass and Catfish are now being caught in good in good numbers and should get better as fall aproaches. Lake Livingston consists of 90,000 surface acres of water and over 450 miles of shoreline.
SPECIES REPORT:
Black Bass {largemouth} – Look for a good spinner bait bite on the north end of the lake in coming days. Fish Charlies June bug “Brush Buster” Texas rigged around wood an rocks in Bethy and Carolina Creeks. Black Bass up to five lbs. have been caught recently in Thomas Lake and up Carolina Creek. Fish texas rig, Berkly Neon Chigger Craw and Strike King June bug Speed Craw.
Catfish – Good fishing for Blue cats in Harmon Creek on popping corks baited with fresh cut shad and peeled shrimp. Baited holes producing Channels and Blue Cats in Harmon. Also some good catches coming on jug lines in Carolina and Bethy Creeks. Rod and reel fishing in the river channel has been slow.
Crappie – Crappie are beginning to move shallow and are being caught in the boat houses and brush tops at 6′. fishing the mid lake boat houses. White Rock, Carolina, Bethy and Harmon creeks are clearing out and good for Crappie. Best bite has been on live minnows and jigs.
White Bass – Scattered reports of White Bass are coming in from all over the lake. Pine Island area has rebounded after Harvey along with the 190 road bed and hells 1/2 acre. These areas are producing good catches of Whites by jigging Tsunami Zombie Eye jigs off structure 12′ to 17′. Best bite has been at mid morning as long as the wind lays. Look for birds and schooling Whites mid lake and south lake early morning . The mouths of Harmon and Carolina Creeks should be good in coming days as the water there settles out. Throw medium diving crank baits here.
Stripers – occasional Hybrids being caught fishing for Whites. Look for schooling fish south lake area early am. Follow the birds to the schools.
Duck hunting The Lake is in great shape for holding ducks and prospects are good for the regular season opener.
David Scott Cox
Palmetto Guide Service