Crappie - fair but small

Bass - bass good 

Bluegill good  

Catfish good

Black bass No Report

White bass No Report

Crappie No Report

Catfish No Report

Bluegill No Report

Walleye/Muskie No Report

Bass No Report

Crappie No Report

CRAPPIE: No Report

BASS: Fair: No Report

CATFISH: Good: No Report

White Bass: Fair: No Report

WALLEYE: Fair: No Report

Lake Level: 905.0
Normal Pool: 915.00'
Water Temp: 50-53 degrees

Mid Lake-Kimberling City Area The cooler weather and drop in lake temperature has really helped the fishing pick up. In early morning and late evening, bass are hitting War Eagle spinner baits in pockets just off the main lake where shore minnows are present. On windy days, bass can be taken on spinner baits off chunk rock banks where the wind is blowing in. As the day goes on, use a Carolina rigged centipede in watermelon red or a brown and purple football head jig on the main lake points and flats in about 30-40 feet of water. The fish are also hitting white jigging spoons on main lake bluff ends over deep tree tops that are in 35-45 feet of water. Also try drop shot rigs and 4 inch gray grub on 1/4 and 3/8 ounce heads 30-45 feet deep on main lake flat gravel points and bluff ends over timber. With the colder weather, some fish are starting to move back into the creeks. They can be caught in the creek channels with jigging spoons, gray grub or drop shot around shad schools. On windy days, the crank bait bite should start to improve. Try throwing a crawfish patter wiggle wart.

Lower End-Damn Area There is an early morning spinner bait bite in cedar trees and gravel pockets just off the main lake. Drop shot and spoon fish are being caught in 35-45 feet deep on long flat main lake gravel points. Throw Football head jigs, brown and purple or green pumpkin ,on main lake gravel in 30-40 feet of water. On main lake and secondary points, throw a wiggle wart crank bait in crawfish patterns on ledges or rock structures. Some fish are starting to move back in the creeks, following the shad schools. They can be caught on jigging spoons, grubs and drop shot rigs.

Upper End-James River Work the main lake flats and points with Carolina rig and football head jigs in about 25-38 feet of water. Try throwing a white jigging spoon in 30-40 feet of water on the main lake flats and points around shad schools. Fish are also being caught on shallow running crank baits in the upper ends of the James and Flat Creek. Work channel banks with crawfish pattern wiggle warts and spinner baits.

Bluegill Some of the bluegill are still shallow but allot of the bigger bluegill are on the main lake gravel flats and points in 25-35 feet deep. Crickets are best.

Crappie I've been catching some nice crappie while fishing for bass on bluff ends over deep tree tops 30-45 feet deep on a 1/2 ounce white spoon and gray grub on 1/4 ounce head. I think crappie fishing will improve as the water temperature cools down. Some crappie are also being caught on flats in 25-35 feet deep in the Long Creek area and the James River on 1/4 oz jigging spoons, crappie jigs and minnows.

Lake Taneycomo Trout fishing is very good in the trophy area and also below Fall Creek dock. In the trophy area from Fall Creek to the damn, the trout size seems to be improving with the cooler weather. I'm catching some nice rainbows and a few browns on a small Rapala in the morning and also swimming a white 1/16 ounce jig. The trout in the trophy area will also take pink or green micro jigs under a float and a zebra midge has also been very good. Below the trophy are from Fall Creek down, the trout are biting very good on night crawlers or power baits. In the early morning you can catch them swimming a 1/16 ounce jig or little Cleo spoon.

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From everyone at RIVER RUN OUTFITTERS, WE WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! We will be closed Christmas day. We will be open New Year's Day.

Water Conditions: Have been running water in the mornings and afternoons for a while. Anything from 2-4 generators. Off for a while around noon for 2-6 hours.

FLY FISHING TROPHY AREA (dam to Fall Creek)-SHALLOW WATER-WADING-

No water generating last Sunday until 5:00 p.m. On the water with a couple of fly fishing ladies from Texas. We had a very good day....probably 30-40 fish. The new fly fisher caught a nice 18-20" Brown. We didn't take time to measure it because it was pretty stressed by the time we got it in. The other lady caught a 16" Rainbow right after that one which we did measure, and we know the Brown was definitely bigger. Almost all our fish were caught on the Rusty midge, size 18. Caught a few in the morning on the Copper dun, but we had a pretty overcast day. One of our brave guides was out Monday and fished for a little while. He caught quite a few fish on the Copper dun midge fishing the bank between outlet 2 and 3. Still getting reports from customers that they are seeing shad. Quite possible Table Rock has turned over, especially with the extreme cold weather we have had. Forecast this weekend and next week is mid to upper 40's. We're having a head wave. We'll have to get out and see what the fish are doing. Those braver than us have been coming in the shop and saying that fishing has been good. Still doing better on the smaller (16 or less) scuds in the hatchery area.

STAN'S TIP: Right now the fish are really stressed. We're seeing an unusual number of dead fish in the water. Lots of pressure, lots of fish in the area and many days the oxygen is limited. Make certain you fish is fully revived after you bring it in. Hold it by the tail and support it under the belly with your other hand with the head of the fish facing upstream so the water flow will go through its gills. Don't swish it back and forth, just hold it facing upstream for a bit. When it is ready, it will take off.

This will be the last fishing report for the season as we will be closing the marina down for the winter. We will keep the campground open thru deer season. We will reopen March 1 2006.

We would like to thank all our patrons and wish everyone good holidays and a warm winter. Look forward to seeing you in the spring. Sterett Creek Marina

Crappie are being caught in the creeks on jigs. Look for bluff type banks and fish vertical over them. Use a 1/16 oz jig chartreuse in color. Early morning is the best. Keep your boat in 115 ft of water or more. Fish slow!

Catfish and white bass no report.

Black bass are being caught on spinner baits and jig and frog. Most are being caught in the back of the creeks. Let the sun warm things up and start fishing. Go creek to creek moving slow. The action is not fast but you can catch nice fish. 

The water is in good shape so our winter fishing should be good.