Crappie fair using minnows and jigs 

Largemouth Bass are spawning in the shallow water and are moving to the rocky points using top water baits and jigs

White Bass good using live crawfish

Surface temperature: We have had warmer temperatures this last 10 days or so and the water temp is up in the middle 60's to low 70's.

VISIBILTY- With the lack of rain the visibility has gotten better. Very clear from 30 foot down. Fairly clear on the main lake.

GENERAL CONDITIONS - The water level has stabilized for the most part for now. The lake is 25 feet higher than it was a month ago. There is a lot of brush in the lake along the shoreline. Plus, there are several standing trees which is giving a lot of cover for all species of fish. I anticipate by the next report that the lake will be starting down.

THE SPAWN- It should be one of the best ever since the water is up in the brush. I know the high water causes a lot of problems but there is a silver lining in that dark cloud. From what information I can gather- the spawn is mostly over. There are some Kentucky-spotted bass with eggs in them, which means they might still be spawning but for the most part it seems like it is over.

BASS PATTERNS- The biggest change since last report is the top water bite is on. The bass seem to be scattered more with some close to the surface, some in the brush and some still on the old shore line. In my previous report, most of the bass were on the old shoreline in 20 to 30 feet of water. With the spawn over that has changed where the fish are at. So the patterns have changed.

1. TOP WATER LURES- Just about anything top water is working. Zoom Flukes, Zara Spooks, shallow running rebels just to name a few. There is a good top water bite early in the morning and late in the day. The bass are chasing shad off of the main lake points and around those standing trees.

2. Live minnows with a small split shot in 0 to 30 feet of water is producing all species of bass. For the shallow fish a bobber is working well to keep your minnow out of the brush.

3. Carolina rigging a lizard. This is working mostly for Largemouth and Spotted bass. They are mostly using the green colors with a 2 to 4 foot drop. They are using these in 25 to 35 feet of water mostly on the steeper chunk rock banks and channel swings.

4. Crawfish or green colored tube tubes dragged on the gravel flats is producing some good Smallmouth Bass. These fish are mostly in 20 to 35 feet of water on the gravel rounded points and flats.

5. Other plastic baits such as meatheads, French fry worms, and 4 inch worms. The basic green or brown colors will work. These are Carolina rigged with a 2 to 4 foot drop jut like the lizards pattern above.

6. Wacky rigged bubble gum plastic worms with no weight in shallow water

7. Spinner baits- These were working very well when the water was rising and the color was brown. They have slowed down a little bit.

8. Live night crawlers with a small split shot in 20 to 30 feet of water.

WALLEYE- The walleye have really turned on this past 10 days. They are using shallow running stick baits- mostly rogues- in various depths depending on what type of structure you are fishing. The best colors are chartreuse, yellow, bluegill, perch or purple. They are also catching lots of walleye trolling deep diving crank baits and deep diving stick baits during the day. The walleye are shallow during the early morning and afternoon. They are deeper in the day so deeper diving baits are necessary.

WHITE BASS- There has been a few caught here and there. There have also been the sporadic sightings of the classic white bass surfacing back in the creeks over the last few weeks. However, there has not been the classic white bass run of the past. I would expect to be able to see people catch them at night under the lights any time now.

CRAPPIE- I have not seen many crappies caught which is unusual for spring. Last year was the best crappie year I have ever seen. I have had a couple reports that the crappie are very deep- in 40 to 55 feet of water. This makes sense to me. Nobody else is fishing that deep for them. They have to be somewhere and they have to eat. So-go figure.

CATFISH- The catfish are doing well on jug lines, trot lines and limb lines. We have seen several good catches and stringers. Most of the fish are in shallow water and being caught on the same bait- perch, dead shad, liver, stink bait, etc
 

June 7, 2004

The big story this week is the continued draw down of the lake. The Corp of Engineers have been running 6 to 8 units a day, which is great for the trout on the River, but not so great for the walleye and bass in the lake. The pool is now at 672.21, which is 2 ½ feet down from last week. Normal pool is 654.23, so the lake is still 18 feet over normal pool level, but most of the ramps are now open and there is more parking available. Lake temperature this week is 76 to 77 degrees and 66 degrees 20 feet down, ideal for catching a lot of fish although with the draw down the game fish are disoriented as to where to move to. 

Some crappie are now showing up on old brush piles that were in the shallow water before the lake level rose. Live bait is working the best over the brush in 20 to 26 feet. Bright jig heads (red, chartreuse and pink) tipped with a crappie minnow seems to be the key.

Largemouth bass have been spotty with a few staying in the flooded vegetation, a few relocating onto secondary points and a few moving to the old brush piles. Flipping a jig, worm or brush hog will catch the largemouth in the shallows. Best baits around the brush piles are Spider Jigs or Texas rigged 7 ½" worms and Mojo or Carolina Rigs with a centipede, lizard or brush hog is working around the secondary points. 

Smallmouth bass are on the points and feeding early in the mornings and from 4 o’clock in the afternoon throughout the night. Zara Spook Jrs and Spit’N Image baits will trigger the top water feeders in the morning. Tube baits, Spider Jigs and Mojo rigs with Fish Doctors or finesse worms are the best baits during the day. 

Kentucky Bass are still over deeper water under the shad but a few are starting to move up onto points to feed on Crawdads that have just hatched under the full moon. Pop R’s and Chug Bugs are the best baits on top along with 3" grubs and Pearl colored Sinko’s. The Kentucky bass that are up on the points will strike Spider Jigs, tubes and Hula grubs in brown or watermelon colors.

NIGHT TIME UPDATE: The night bite is so-so as the pool level is dropping. Bass are roaming the shallows for crawdads and jigs are the best bait along with a single spin or Gene Larew strawberry/gold worm. Night time walleye are also shallow feeding on crawdads and sunfish. Best baits continue to be suspended rogues (clown color) and salt craws for the walleye.

Walleye are biting on almost anything you throw out there. They are point oriented both on the main lake and in the creek arms. Split shot nightcrawlers or crawler harnesses pulled with your trolling motor work the best if you are fishing live bait. Jigs, tubes and grubs are working well if you are casting. Trollers can work the points in 20 to 30 feet of water with Reef Runners, Red Hot Tiger and Metallic Watermelon in color or the new Wally Minnow in green flash. Down riggers are catching bigger walleye over 40 to 50 feet of water that are suspended at about 30 feet. Best baits have been crawler harnesses (gold and chartreuse blades) and suspending rogues (blue back or black back).

Well is it almost time - the Professional Walleye Trail will be here June 23, 24, 25th. For more information go to www.professionalwalleyetrail.com. There may be a few spots left for the amateurs. Check out the web site if you are interested. The weigh ins will be held at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock. Plan to join in the fun and festivities and welcome them as the anglers bring in their daily catch.

Trout fishing on the White River has been best on Berkley Power Eggs in yellow, and orange, and red worms. Buoyant Spoons, Rooster Tails and Little Cleo’s have also been working when there is some generation. The fly fishermen have been doing well on olive or black Woolly Buggers, peach egg patterns and San Juan worms. Browns are being caught on Suspending Rogues, Shad Raps, Rebel jointed minnows and nightcrawlers.