Normal Lake Level – 131
Current Lake Level – 131.08
Release – cfs. 8,550
Water Temperature – 40/ 48’
Water Clarity – lower lake clear/ mid lake off color/upper river channel off color.
FISHING FORECAST: With duck season winding down it’s time to fish!!! January is the month for fever. Fishing fever that is. “Whites are running!!” Somebody said. Speed Bass old timers used to call them. Weather patterns this time of year will influence the White Bass more than any month. Best fishing will occur with a warming trend and south east wind. Look for Whites to migrate to the river channel and up the creeks with a sustained water temperature of 55-58’. January weather can be tricky and make a big difference in fishing. A strong cold front with high pressure can give fish a case of lock jaw.
Happy New Year! Good luck fishing and be safe on the water.
Dave
SPECIES REPORT:
Black Bass {largemouth} Look for Black Bass to move shallow to spawn in late January. Look for nesting fish and throw 4” Lizards worked near the nest. Fish the cut banks in the upper Lake creeks around wood and rock with June Bug creature baits, also concentrate on the deeper boat houses here. Fish the rocky points with the crank baits.
Catfish. Good limb line fishing for Flat head cats in the river channel baited with live perch. Trot lines good baited with fresh shad near the old river channel. Jug fishing fair in Bethy Creek. Fish Harmon Creek dead standing timber with a popping cork rigged 3-4ft. down baited with fresh shad. Also, drift fish shad around mid-lake and lower lake for Blue Cats.
Crappie – Pre-spawn Crappie will be in the deep holes around the mouths of major creeks. With any sustained warming trend look for Crappie to move up on the banks. Fish live shiners or a jig about 1 foot down near the bank edge.
White Bass. Whites will be staging now for the annual spawning run up the river. Weather patterns will dictate the bite. Be ready for Whites to be moving into the river channel near Riverside. After a local rain look for Whites to move up the major creeks on the north end of the lake.
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