  Toledo Bend Fishing Report ____________________________________________________________ 1-15-02 The lake is at 170.84 ft. High pool is 172 ft. Temperature is ranging in the mid 40s to low 50s. Not many anglers on the lake this past week and not many reports coming in. The lake is starting to clear up but there is still a lot of fresh water moving through the lake. Black Bass have moved into their typical winter pattern. Best pattern is to work ledges dropping off into deep water with slab spoons, Rinky Dink tail spinners, and jigs. Key is to fish slow. If you catch one, you should catch some more. In the afternoons when the water has warmed, work the back of the creeks with spinner baits and traps along outside grass lines close to deep water. White Bass are making their annual migration up the river. Road Runners, lip-less crank baits in chrome and Rinky Dink tail spinners working best. Crappie have slowed with all the muddy water. Should pick up as water clears. Some catfish being caught on trot-lines with cut bait in deep water along river channel shelf. For all my Dallas friends, come see me at the Texas tackle and boat show at Big Town Expo in Mesquite next weekend the 18, 19 and 20th. 1-7-02 The lake is at 170.57 ft, one and half foot below high pool and rising. Not many anglers on the lake this past week because of the cold weather. The lake is extremely muddy and there is a lot of fresh water moving through the lake. Black Bass have moved into their typical winter pattern. Best pattern is to work ledges dropping off into deep water with slab spoons, Rinky Dink tail spinners, and jigs. Key is to fish slow. If you catch one, you should catch some more. White Bass are making their annual migration up the river. Road Runners, lip-less crank baits in chrome and Rinky Dink tail spinners working best. Crappie have slowed with all the muddy water. Should pick up as water clears. Some catfish being caught on trot-lines with cut bait. 12-18-01 The lake is at 169.16 ft and rising. The lake has risen over 4ft over the past week and the river hasn’t crested yet. SRA is running one generator and has 7 flood gates open one foot to control the water coming into the lake and down stream flow. Not many anglers on the lake this past week because of the bad weather. The lake is extremely muddy and there is a lot of fresh water moving through the lake. Good reports of catfish being caught at the mouths of the creeks dumping into the lake. When the lake stabilizes, the fishing should pick up. 12-12-01 The lake is at 166 ft and rising fast with the heavy rains this week. The north end of the lake is extremely muddy and the bass are scattered and holding tight. Recent rains should push the lake to SRA’s established level of 168 ft shortly. When the lake stabilizes the fishing should improve. Concentrate on deep-water drops with jigs, deep diving crank baits, spoons and Rinky Dink tail spinners. The bass are moving into their typical winter pattern as the water temperature continues to drop. Crappie, work river channel ledges and drops with shiners and jigs fished over brush tops in 15 to 25 ft of water. Good reports of Catfish being caught at the mouths of the creeks dumping into the lake. A lot of ducks starting to show up on the lake. 12-05-01 The heavy rains have risen the lake two feet to 165 msl. A lot of fresh water is coming into the lake and has made the north end extremely muddy. Changes in the weather and temperatures in the water have kept the fish on the move. For Black Bass work the creek channel drops, river channel shelfs and areas close to deep water drops with jigs, soft plastics and cranks bait. White perch holding in 15 to 20 ft of water along river channel ledges. Jigs or shiners working best when fished over brush tops. Lots of White Bass being caught along river channel sand bars on slab spoons and Rinky Dink tail spinners. -- 11-27-01 Heavy rains, high winds and cold temperatures have kept most fishermen on the bank this week. A lot of fresh water coming into the lake helping increase the level. The north end is extremely muddy and the water temperature is dropping. As the water temperature continues to drop look for the bass to move into deeper water. Jigs and soft plastics fished along channel drops will be productive. White perch holding in 15 to 20 ft of water along river channel ledges. Jigs or shiners working best when fished over brush tops. Lots of White Bass being caught along river channel sand bars on slab spoons and Rinky Dink tail spinners prior to the cold front. 11-13-01 The lake is at 163.39ft msl and remains stable at approximately 9ft below high pool. Repairs have been made to the dam and the gates have been close. SRA will let the lake rise to 168ft before releasing any water. For available ramps having access to the lake, you can visit the Sabine River Authority’s web-site at www.sra.dst.tx.us. Extreme caution should still be used when running areas other than the river channel proper. Some good fish are being caught but the bite is slow and the fish are scattered. On the north end of the lake the key is fishing the river channel proper. Jigs, crank baits and soft plastics fished on the river shelf and ledges around structure working best. Work root systems, lay downs, and brush tops. Fire-tiger crank-baits, watermelon soft plastics and black/blue jigs working best. Also ½ oz white or white/chartreuse willow leaf spinner baits fished in 2 to 4 ft of water around scattered grass close to deep water. As the water continues to cool, look for the bass to start chasing shad in the back of the coves and shallow pockets. Shallow diving crank baits, spinner baits, traps and top water plugs will all be productive. Crappie starting to gang up on the river channel ledges. Shiners working best when fished over brush piles. 11-09-01 The lake is at 163.41ft msl and remains stable at approximately 8 1/2ft below high pool. Repairs have been made to the dam and the gates have been close. SRA will let the lake rise to 168ft before releasing any water. For available ramps having access to the lake, you can visit the Sabine River Authority’s web-site at www.sra.dst.tx.us. Extreme caution should still be used when running areas other than the river channel proper. Some good fish are being caught but the bite is slow and the fish are scattered. On the north end of the lake the key is fishing the river channel proper. Jigs, crank baits and soft plastics fished on the river shelf and ledges around structure working best. Work root systems, lay downs, and brush tops. Fire-tiger crank-baits, watermelon soft plastics and black/blue jigs working best. As the water continues to cool, look for the bass to start chasing shad in the back of the coves and shallow pockets. Shallow diving crank baits, spinner baits, traps and top water plugs will all be productive. Crappie starting to gang up on the river channel ledges. Shiners working best when fished over brush piles. 10-30-01 The lake is at 163.44ft msl and remains stable at approximately 8 1/2ft below high pool. Repairs have been made to the dam and the gates have been close. SRA will let the lake rise to 168ft before releasing any water. For available ramps having access to the lake, you can visit the Sabine River Authority’s web-site at www.sra.dst.tx.us. Extreme caution should still be used when running areas other than the river channel proper. High pressure this week has slowed the fishing down. Some good fish are being caught but the bite is slow and the fish are scattered. On the north end of the lake the key is fishing the river channel proper. Jigs, crank baits and soft plastics fished on the river shelf and ledges around structure working best. Work root systems, lay downs, and brush tops. Fire-tiger crank-baits, watermelon soft plastics and black/blue jigs working best. As the water continues to cool, look for the bass to start chasing shad in the back of the coves and shallow pockets. Shallow diving crank baits, spinner baits, traps and top water plugs will all be productive. Crappie starting to gang up on the river channel ledges. Shiners working best when fished over brush piles. 10-23-01 The lake is at 163.32ft msl, almost 9 ft below high pool. Repairs have been made to the dam and the gates have been close. SRA will let the lake rise to 168ft before releasing any water. Since the gates have closed, fishing has steadily increase. For available ramps having access to the lake, you can visit the Sabine River Authority’s web-site at www.sra.dst.tx.us. Extreme caution should still be used when running areas other than the river channel proper. On the north end of the lake the key is fishing the river channel proper. Jigs, crank baits and soft plastics fished on the river shelf and ledges around structure working best with bass up to 10lbs and stringers over 20lbs. Work root systems, lay downs, and brush tops. Fire-tiger crank-baits, watermelon soft plastics and black/blue jigs working best. Crappie starting to gang up on the river channel ledges. Shiners working best when fished over brush piles. 11-09-01 The lake is at 163.19 ft msl, almost 9 ft below high pool (over a foot lower since last week). SRA is drawing the lake down to 163 ft msl and will beholding it at this level to make repairs to the dam surface. For available ramps having access to the lake, you can visit the Sabine River Authority’s web-site at www.sra.dst.tx.us. Extreme caution should be used when running areas other than the river channel proper. Good numbers of small fish being caught but the larger fish are harder to come by. A number of patterns are working as the lake continues to fall. Shallow fish in 1 to 2 ft of water along grass edges are being caught on buzz baits, spinner baits, top water plugs, finesse plastics and shallow diving crank baits. ¼ oz. Chrome traps also working when fished in the creek channels. Main lake points, creek drops and river channel shelf and ledges are also holding fish in 8 to 12 ft of water. Crank baits, jigs and Texas or Carolina rigs working best. As the water temperature starts cooling and the lake stabilizes, look for schooling activate to increase. Crappie starting to gang up on the river channel ledges. Shiners working best when fished over brush piles. 11-03-01 The lake is at 164.4 ft msl, almost 8 ft below high pool (over a foot lower since last week) and continues to fall over an inch per day as the SRA draws the lake down to make repairs on the dam and generator. SRA announced they are drawing the lake down to at least 163 ft msl and possibly 162 ft (10 ft. below high pool). This level will be the lowest level since it’s impoundment. For available ramps having access to the lake, you can visit the Sabine River Authority’s web-site at www.sra.dst.tx.us Good numbers of small fish being caught but the larger fish are harder to come by. A number of patterns are working as the lake continues to fall. Shallow fish in 1 to 2 ft of water along grass edges are being caught on buzz baits, spinner baits, top water plugs, finesse plastics and shallow diving crank baits. Main lake points, creek drops and river channel shelf and ledges are also holding fish in 8 to 12 ft of water. Crank baits, jigs and Texas or Carolina rigs working best. As the water temperature starts cooling and the lake stabilizes, look for schooling activate to increase. 9-25-01 The lake is at 165.4 ft msl, 7 ft below high pool (over a foot lower since last week) and continues to fall over an inch per day as the SRA draws the lake down to make repairs on the damn and generator. SRA announced they will draw the lake down to at least 163 ft msl and possibly 162 ft (10 ft. below high pool). This level will be the lowest level since it’s impoundment. For available ramps having access to the lake, you can visit the Sabine River Authority’s web-site. A number of patterns are working as the lake continues to fall. Shallow fish in 1 to 2 ft of water along grass edges are being caught on buzz baits, spinner baits, top water plugs, finesse plastics and shallow diving crank baits. Main lake points, creek drops and river channel shelf and ledges are also holding fish in 8 to 12 ft of water. Crank baits and Texas or Carolina rigs working best. As the water temperature starts cooling, look for schooling activate to increase. 9-19-01 Below is the latest information on the drawdown of the lake received from Larry Kelly with the Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance. If you have any boats in a boat house or marina, you might want to get them out now if you still can. On Tuesday, September 18, 2001, Joe Goodson, Texas Co-Chairman, Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance and I accompanied Mr. Wayne King, FERC, Office of Dam Safety, Atlanta Regional Office, Mr. Barton Rumsey, Mr. Mike Rankin & Mr. Donald Ray Haymen, SRA of Louisiana and Mr. Jim Washburn, SRA of Texas, on an inspection of the soil cement on the up-steam face of the dam. After the inspection a meeting was held with Mr. Donnie Hensen, Operations Manager, SRA of Texas, and those of us who had walked the dam. The news is not good, in fact, it is far worse than was expected at the beginning of the drawdown. We saw damage at approximately 163' msl that requires repair. That means, as it now stands, the lake will be taken down to or below 163' msl. It is even possible the lake could be drawn down to the bottom of the Power Pool, 162.2' msl. Below 163.77' msl will set a new record low water level for the reservoir. The FERC is scheduled to have representatives inspect the dam again during the first week of October. While it is unlikely, the drawdown plan could change at that time. The FERC's schedule to be here in October could change depending on any problems that might occur as a result of the attack on our country. The lake should be down to 165' msl by next week. The generator that remains on line will, for the most part, continue to be operated 24 hours per day to drawdown and hold the lake at the level that must be reached to make all repairs. The FERC and the SRAs assure us that all repairs will be made this year even if it is necessary to use the spillway gates to help bring and keep the lake level down long enough to make the repairs. The only thing that could possibly prevent completion of the repairs this year would be a heavy or prolonged rain that would produce inflows greater than the SRA can release without causing flooding below the dam. I encourage everyone who needs to do work on waterfront property, including piers, bulkheads, boathouses and boat launches, to try to get it done while the lake is down. For those of you who have waterfront property and keep your boat in the water, or if you keep your boat in the water at a marina, and the location may be without water at 163' msl down to 162' msl, I recommend that you monitor the water level and take your boat out when the water approaches your minimum access level. I am sorry the drawdown has worked out the way it has. The good that I see coming out of this is that there should not be any need to lower the reservoir for maintenance of the face of the dam for a long time to come. Joe and I will stay in contact with the FERC and the SRA to monitor and report to you the progress of the repairs. Larry 9-19-01 The lake is at 166.24 ft msl, 6 ft below high pool (over a foot lower since last week) and continues to fall over an inch per day as the SRA draws the lake down to make repairs on the damn and generator. A mixed bag of patterns and lures are catching fish. Shallow fish in 2 to 4ft. of water are being caught on top water plugs, spinner baits and finesse plastics in and around pepper grass. Carolina and Texas rigged soft plastics, deep diving crank baits and jigs fished in 10 to 12ft range along the ledges and breaks in the creek channels and the river channel shelf also producing fish. And ¾ to 1 oz jigs and magnum plastics fished in 18 to 20 ft. grass patches also working. For a general pattern start off working a top water plug, buzz bait or spinner bait over grass close to deep water. As the sun gets up, back out to the channel shelf and ledges, and main lake humps close to deep- water sloughs. Carolina or Texas rigs with soft plastics and deep diving crank baits working best when fished in 10 to 18 ft. ledges and drops around structure. Watch for schooling bass chasing shad. Traps and shallow diving cranks working best when schooling. 9-11-01 The lake is at 167.56 ft msl (4.5 ft below high pool) and is falling approximately 2” per day as the SRA continues the draw down of the lake to inspect the damn and repair a generator. For the majority of fishermen the bite remains slow. The winning patterns in last weekends Oilman’s tournament came from three areas on the lake. Florida and Texas rigged 11 & 8” Camo Ring Rascals fished in 12 to 15ft depths in the 6 mile area took first place with 29.13 lbs (2 day totals). Second best stringer (28.17 lbs) came from the Rebel ridge area using “Bleeding shade Chug Bugs” fished over 12 ft grass areas and third place (27.79 lbs) came from the 1215 area using “Red shade and June Bug” soft plastics fished around 8 to 20ft ridge drops. During the day, start off working a top water plug, buzz bait or spinner bait over grass close to deep water. As the sun gets up, back out to the channel shelf and ledges, and main lake humps close to deep- water sloughs. Carolina or Texas rigs with soft plastics and deep diving crank baits working best when fished in 10 to 18 ft. ledges and drops around structure. Watch for schooling bass chasing shad. Traps and shallow diving cranks working best when schooling. 8-30-01 According to officials of the Sabine River Authority, the lake level will be dropped this fall. During the month of September, 2001 the lake will be lowered until it reaches a level of approximately 165' msl (7ft below high pool) by the end of September. At this time repairs will commence on the face of the dam and are expected to take 1 to 2 weeks. Additionally, one of the two generators will be pulled for major repairs which are expected to take in the neighborhood of six months. The SRA expects to try to hold the lake level under the 168' msl level until some time in December. It is anticipated that the rainy season will then fill the lake and the lake will be controlled with the single operational generator and, if absolutely necessary, the spillway. Naturally, unpredictable weather variables are subject to make considerable changes to these general plans! At this low level, extreme caution should be had running the lake even in marked boat lanes. Cooler weather and cloud cover this week helped drop the water temperature into the low to mid 80s but numerous thunder- storms and high winds have made fishing the main lake difficult. The lake is at 168.15 ft (4ft. below high pool). During the day, start off working a top water plug, buzz bait or spinner bait over grass close to deep water. As the sun gets up, back out to the channel shelf and ledges, and main lake humps close to deep- water sloughs. Carolina or Texas rigs with soft plastics and deep diving crank baits working best when fished in 10 to 18 ft. ledges and drops around structure. Watch for schooling bass chasing shad. Traps and shallow diving cranks working best when schooling. 8-22-01 Water temp is ranging from high 80s to low 90s. The lake is at 168.54 ft (3 ½ ft. below high pool) and falling about half foot per week pulling the shallow fish into deeper water. The bite is extremely slow and the larger fish are harder to come by. If you can find some deep grass, you should find some fish but the deep grass is very limited. Most of the fish are suspended over the thermocline in deep water and the bite is slow. Better fishing at night. During the day, start off working a top water plug, buzz bait or spinner bait over grass close to deep water. As the sun gets up, back out to the channel shelf and ledges, and main lake humps close to deep- water sloughs. Carolina or Texas rigs with soft plastics and deep diving crank baits working best when fished in 10 to 18 ft. ledges and drops around structure. Watch for schooling bass chasing shad. Traps and shallow diving cranks working best when schooling. 8-13-01 The pattern continues to remain the same as it has been for the last couple weeks. Water temp is ranging from high 80s to low 90s. The lake is at 169.09 ft and falling pulling the shallow fish into deeper water. The points off main lake humps and ridges dropping into deep water holding better fish. During the day, start off working a top water plug, buzz bait or spinner bait over grass close to deep water. As the sun gets up, back out to the channel shelf and ledges, and main lake humps close to deep- water sloughs. Carolina or Texas rig with soft plastics and deep diving crank baits working best when fished in 10 to 18 ft. ledges and drops around structure. Watch for schooling bass chasing shad. Traps and shallow diving cranks working best when schooling. White Bass: Work the main lake river channel sand bars, road beds, sloughs and main lake points in 16 to 20ft. of water. Slab spoons and Rinky Dink tail spinners working best. A lot of schooling activity going on so keep a small trap, shallow diving crank and a top water plug handy when schooling. August 7, 2001 Water temp is ranging from high 80s to low 90s. The lake is at 169.44 ft and falling pulling the shallow fish into deeper water. The bite is extremely slow and the larger fish are harder to come by. Better fishing at night. During the day, start off working a top water plug, buzz bait or spinner bait over grass close to deep water. As the sun gets up, back out to the channel shelf and ledges, and main lake humps close to deep- water sloughs. Carolina or Texas rig with soft plastics and deep diving crank baits working best when fished in 10 to 18 ft. ledges and drops around structure. Watch for schooling bass chasing shad. Traps and shallow diving cranks working best when schooling. White Bass: Work the main lake river channel sand bars, road beds, sloughs and main lake points in 16 to 20ft. of water. Slab spoons and Rinky Dink tail spinners working best. A lot of schooling activity going on so keep a small trap, shallow diving crank and a top water plug handy when schooling. 8-2-01 Sorry for the delay in sending out reports but my computer got hit with the dreaded worm 32 virus. I apologize if it was passed onto anyone in my address book. I'm assured my system is as pure as a new born baby. It's been reformatted, scanned and purged of all nasty bugs. Unfortunately, I lost my phone directory. So anyone who thinks I need their phone number, please forward it to me via email for inclusion in my directory. Water temp is ranging from high 80s to low 90s. The lake is at 169.86 ft and falling pulling the shallow fish into deeper water. A lot of small school fish being caught but the bigger fish are harder to come by. Unusually high winds have made fishing difficult on the main lake this week. During the day, start off working a top water plug, buzz bait or spinner bait over grass close to deep water. As the sun gets up, back out to the channel shelf and ledges, and main lake humps close to deep- water sloughs. Carolina or Texas rig with soft plastics and deep diving crank baits working best when fished in 10 to 18 ft. ledges and drops around structure. Watch for schooling bass chasing shad. Traps and shallow diving cranks working best when schooling. White Bass: Work the main lake river channel sand bars, road beds, sloughs and main lake points in 16 to 20ft. of water. Slab spoons and Rinky Dink tail spinners working best. A lot of schooling activity going on so keep a small trap, shallow diving crank and a top water plug handy when schooling. 7-10-01 Better fish coming out of deep water off main lake ridges and humps dropping into deep- water sloughs on deep diving crank baits and Texas or Carolina rigged soft plastics. Early, work a top water plug, buzz bait or spinner bait over grass close to deep water. As the sun gets up, back out to the channel shelf and ledges, and main lake humps close to deep- water sloughs. Carolina or Texas rig with soft plastics and deep diving crank baits working best when fished in 10 to 18 ft. ledges and drops around structure. Watch for schooling bass chasing shad. Traps and shallow diving cranks working best when schooling. Bite is best early morning and late evening. White Bass: Work the main lake river channel sand bars, road beds, sloughs and main lake points in 16 to 20ft. of water. Slab spoons and Rinky Dink tail spinners working best. Watch for schooling activity. June 26, 2001 The north end is muddy to stained and the fish are scattered and the bite is slow since the lake has risen from storm Alison.. Black Bass: Early, work a top water plug, buzz bait or spinner bait over grass close to deep water. As the sun gets up, back out to the channel shelf and ledges, and main lake humps close to deep- water sloughs. Carolina or Texas rig with soft plastics and deep diving crank baits working best when fished in 10 to 18 ft. ledges and drops around structure. Watch for schooling bass chasing shad. Traps and shallow diving cranks working best when schooling. Bite is best early morning and late evening. White Bass: Work the main lake river channel sand bars, road beds, sloughs and main lake points in 16 to 20ft. of water. Slab spoons and Rinky Dink tail spinners working best. Watch for schooling activity. 6-13-01 The lake has risen almost a foot since last weeks rains. The north end is muddy to stained. Level 171.3 ft, Temp 82 Black Bass: Early, work a top water plug, buzz bait or spinner bait over grass close to deep water. As the sun gets up, back out to the channel shelf and ledges, and main lake humps close to deep- water sloughs. Carolina or Texas rig with soft plastics and deep diving crank baits working best when fished in 10 to 18 ft. ledges and drops around structure. Watch for schooling bass chasing shad. Traps and shallow diving cranks working best when schooling. Bite is best early morning and late evening. White Bass: Work the main lake river channel sand bars, road beds, sloughs and main lake points in 16 to 20ft. of water. Slab spoons and Rinky Dink tail spinners working best. Watch for schooling activity. 6-6-01 Black Bass: Early, work a top water plug, buzz bait or spinner bait over grass close to deep water. As the sun gets up, back out to the channel shelf and ledges, and main lake humps close to deep water sloughs. Carolina or Texas rig with soft plastics and crank baits working best when fished in 8 to 10 ft. ledges around structure. Watch for schooling bass chasing shad. Traps and shallow diving cranks working best when schooling. Bite is best early morning and late evening. White Bass: Work the main lake river channel sand bars, road beds, sloughs and main lake points in 16 to 20ft. of water. Slab spoons and Rinky Dink tail spinners working best. Watch for schooling activity. 5-30-01 Lake level: 170.4 and falling Black Bass: Early, work a top water plug, buzz bait or spinner bait over grass close to deep water. As the sun gets up, back out to the channel shelf and ledges, and main lake humps close to deep water sloughs. Carolina or Texas rig with soft plastics and crank baits working best when fished in 8 to 10 ft. ledges around structure. Watch for schooling bass chasing shad. Traps and shallow diving cranks working best when schooling. Bite is best early morning and late evening. White Bass: Work the main lake river channel sand bars, road beds, sloughs and main lake points in 16 to 20ft. of water. Slab spoons and Rinky Dink tail spinners working best. Watch for schooling activity. May 23, 2001 Lake level: 170.7 and falling Black Bass: Early, work a top water plug, buzz bait or spinner bait over grass close to deep water. As the sun gets up, back out to the channel shelf and ledges, and main lake humps close to deep water sloughs. Carolina or Texas rig with watermelon Zipper worms and crank baits working best when fished in 8 to 10 ft. ledges around structure. Watch for schooling bass chasing shad. Traps and shallow diving cranks working best when schooling. White Bass: Work the main lake river channel sand bars, road beds, sloughs and main lake points in 16 to 20ft. of water. Slab spoons and Rinky Dink tail spinners working best. Watch for schooling activity. Bream are scattered and moving off the beds back into deep water. 5-16-01 Lake level: 170.89 and falling Black Bass: Early, work a top water plug, buzz bait or spinner bait over grass close to deep water. As the sun gets up, back out to the channel shelf and ledges. Carolina rig with watermelon Zipper worms and crank baits working best when fished in 8 to 10 ft. ledges around structure. Watch for schooling bass chasing shad. Traps and shallow diving cranks working best when schooling. White Bass: Work the main lake river channel sand bars, road beds, sloughs and main lake points in 16 to 20ft. of water. Slab spoons and Rinky Dink tail spinners working best. Watch for schooling activity. Bream bedding in 2 to 4 ft. of water. Crickets and worms working best. 5-10-01 Lake level: 171.1 Black Bass: Early, work a top water plug, buzz bait or spinner bait over grass close to deep water. As the sun gets up, work 14 to 16 ft creek channel points and bends with Texas or Carolina rigged soft plastics and crank baits. Watch for schooling bass chasing shad. Traps and shallow diving cranks working best when schooling. White Bass: Work the main lake river channel sand bars, road beds, sloughs and main lake points in 8 to 16 ft. of water. Slab spoons and Rinky Dink tail spinners working best. Watch for schooling activity. Bream bedding in 2 to 4 ft. of water. Crickets and worms working best. 5-2-01 Lake level: 171.3 Black Bass are moving into deeper water. Early, work a top water plug, buzz bait or spinner bait over grass close to deep water. As the sun gets up, work 14 to 16 ft creek channel points and bends with Texas or Carolina rigged soft plastics and crank baits. Watch for schooling bass chasing shad. Traps and shallow diving cranks working best when schooling. White Bass: Work the main lake river channel sand bars, road beds, sloughs and main lake points in 8 to 16 ft. of water. Slab spoons and Rinky Dink tail spinners working best. Watch for schooling activity. A lot of Bream being caught in 2 to 4 ft. of water. Crickets and worms working best. 4-23-01 Lake level: 171.33 and falling Black Bass are moving into deeper water. Early, work a top water plug, buzz bait or spinner bait over grass. As the sun gets up, work 14 to 16 ft creek channel points and bends with Texas or Carolina rigged soft plastics and crank baits. Watch for schooling bass chasing shad. Traps and shallow diving cranks working best when schooling. White Bass starting to migrate back into the main lake. Work the river channel sand bars in 8 to 16 ft. of water. Slab spoons and Rinky Dink tail spinners working best. Chrome traps and shallow diving crank baits working when schooling. A lot of Bream being caught in 2 to 4 ft. of water. Crickets and worms working best. Some Crappie being caught in 6 to 8 ft of water along lay-downs and tops along the creek channels. Shiners working best. 4-22-01 For all the people who wanted to be notified when the bream started to bite, well the bite is on. Lots of numbers and lots of big bream. If you want to catch a lot of bream now is the time. To book a trip, just give me a call at (936) 368-7151 or click on the link above. 4-17-01 Lake level: 172.04 and falling Black Bass are moving into deeper water. Early, work a buzz bait or spinner bait over grass. As the sun gets up, work 14 to 16 ft creek channel points and bends with Texas or Carolina rigged soft plastics and crank baits. Eight inch June bug or watermelon dead ringers working best. Watch for schooling bass chasing shad in the afternoon. Traps and shallow diving cranks working best when schooling. White Bass starting to migrate back into the main lake. Work the river channel sand bars in 8 to 16 ft. of water. Slab spoons and Rinky Dink tail spinners working best. Bream starting to spawn in the shallows. Crickets and worms working best. Crappie being caught in 6 to 8 ft of water along lay-downs and tops along the creek channels. Shiners working best. 4-10-01 Lake level: 172.1 and falling Surface Temp: upper 60s to lower 70s A number of patterns are working for Black Bass. For spawning bass fish the shallows in two to six foot of water with spinner baits, brush hogs, jigs, stick baits and finesse plastics (flukes and wacky worms). Post spawning bass are moving to deeper water. Concentrate on the points and bends in the creek channels running from the spawning flats to the deeper main lake areas with Texas or C.R. rigged soft plastics and crank baits. Good reports of White and Yellow Bass being caught on the river proper north and south of the Logansport Bridge. Concentrate along the river sand bars and around the mouth of the sloughs with chrome traps, road runners, Rinky Dink tail spinners, spoons and live crawfish. White bass also being caught along main lake sand bars with 1/2 to 3/4 oz. Slab spoons. 4-4-01 The north end continues to be muddy to stained but is gradually clearing. Falling water has backed most the shallow bass out to deeper water. The bass are holding tight to cover and the bite has been slow but some good stringers are coming in. Brush hogs, and large tubes in darker colors working best when flipped and pitched in heavy brush. Spinner baits with large Colorado blades also working when thrown in heavy cover. Plan on covering a lot of water. Further south the water is stained to clear and the bite has been more active. Spinner baits, wacky worms, flukes, jigs and soft plastics working in two to eight foot of water when fished in flooded brush and along outside grass lines. 3-27-01 Lake Level: 172.32 ft, (172 ft high pool) Clarity: Muddy to stained Temp: upper 50s to lower 60s The recent cold front and falling water have continued to play havoc on the fishing. A number of different patterns are working depending on the area of the lake you are fishing. The north end continues to be muddy to stained. The bass are holding tight to cover and the bite has been slow but some good stringers are coming in. Brush hogs, and large tubes in darker colors (watermelon red and June-bug) working best when flipped and pitched in heavy brush. Further south the water is stained to clear and the bite has been more active. Spinner baits, wacky worms, flukes, jigs and soft plastics working in two to eight foot of water when fished in flooded brush and along outside grass lines. Good reports of White Bass, Yellow Bass and Crappie coming in off the main river channel. Concentrate at the mouth of the sloughs dumping into the river. Yellow bass also holding along main lake river channel in 16 to 18 ft of water, spoons working best. 3-20-01 Lake Level: 172.87 ft, and falling (172 ft high pool) Clarity: Muddy to stained Temp: upper 50s to lower 60s A number of different patterns are working depending on the area of the lake you are fishing. The north end continues to be muddy and the bass are holding tight to cover and the bite has been slow. Brush hogs, and large tubes in darker colors (watermelon red and June-bug) working best when flipped and pitched in heavy brush. Further south the water is stained to clear and the bite has been more active. Spinner baits, wacky worms, flukes, jigs and soft plastics working in two to eight foot of water when fished in flooded brush and along outside grass lines. White Bass have slowed from recent weeks with all the high water. The bite should pick up as the river stabilizes. Note that most of the boat ramps have been closed along the river because of flooding conditions. The La. ramp in Logansport is open. A lot of Yellow Bass (Bar Fish) being caught in the river proper. No reports on Crappie 3-13-01 Lake Level: 173.17 ft, (172 ft high pool) Clarity: Muddy Temp: upper 50s to lower 60s Continued heavy rains have muddied the north end and kept the water temperature low which is keeping the bass from moving into the shallow spawning flats. SRA has opened eleven flood gates pulling a lot of water out of the lake. Work the points and creek bends in 6 to 8 ft of water with Crank baits and soft plastics. The bite is slow. As the water clears and warms back up the Bass will start moving back into the shallow flats and flooded buck brush in 2 to 4 ft of water. Spinner baits, tubes, brush-hogs, jigs and stick baits working best. White Bass concentrate in the flooded sloughs off the river channel with 1/4 to 1/2 oz. Chrome/ blue back traps, and chartreuse or white road runners. Note that most of the boat ramps have been closed along the river because of flooding conditions. Some Crappie being caught in the creeks leading to the backs of the coves. Chartreuse jigs and shiners working best. Lake Level: 173.16 ft, (172 ft high pool) over a 2ft. rise since last week Clarity: Muddy Temp: upper 50s The Black Bass have slowed this week with the high muddy water and recent cold front. The Bass are holding tight to cover. As the water clears and warms back up the Bass will start moving back into the shallow flats and flooded buck brush in 2 to 4 ft of water. Spinner baits, tubes, brush-hogs, jigs and stick baits working best. For White Bass concentrate in the flooded sloughs off the river channel with 1/4 to 1/2 oz. Chrome/ blue back traps, and chartreuse or white road runners. Some Crappie being caught in the creeks leading to the backs of the coves. Chartreuse jigs and shiners working best. 3-1-01 Lake Level: 171.84 ft, (172 ft high pool) and rising Clarity: Muddy to stained on the North End clearing further south Temp: upper 50s to lower 60s Black bass fishing is excellent. Bass moving into shallow flats and flooded buck brush in 2 to 4 ft of water. Spinner baits, lizards, flukes, tubes, brush-hogs, jigs and stick baits all working at times. A lot of numbers and large bass being caught. White Bass have slowed this week with all the fresh water and flooding along the river. Concentrate in the flooded sloughs with 1/4 to 1/2 oz. Chrome/ blue back traps, and chartreuse or white road runners working best. Be careful of the strong river current and floating debris. Some good reports of Crappie being caught in the creeks leading to the backs of the coves. Chartreuse jigs tipped with shiners working best. 2-23-01 Lake Level: 171.6 ft, (172 ft high pool) slowly falling Clarity: Muddy to stained on the North End clearing further south Temp: upper 50s to lower 60s Black bass moving into shallow flats and flooded buck brush in 2 to 4 ft of water. Spinner baits, tubes, brush-hogs and jigs working best. A lot of numbers and large bass being caught. Good reports of White Bass coming in off the river above the Logansport bridge. Concentrate in the flooded sloughs with 1/4 to 1/2 oz. Chrome/ blue back traps, and chartreuse or white road runners working best. Crappie have slowed from last week. Some still being caught but they are suspended in 12 to 14 foot in 20 to 24 ft of water. Concentrate at the mouth of the sloughs dumping into the river channel. Chartreuse jigs tipped with shiners working best. 2-13-01 Lake Level: 171.76 ft, (172 ft high pool) slowly falling Clarity: Muddy to stained on the North End clearing further south Temp: lower 50s, water is starting to gradually warm. A lot of water still coming into the lake but the Authority is releasing a lot of water creating a small fall in the level. Black bass starting to take off. Five fish stringers up to 26 lbs on 3/8 to 3/4 oz spinner baits slow rolled from bank shallow to 7 ft of water on inside and outside grass lines, jigs in black/blue or camo pitched in 2 to 3 ft bushes and 1/2 to 3/4 oz crawfish and chartreuse traps fished in 5 to 7 ft grass clumps working best. A number of double digit fish coming in up to 12 lbs. Good reports of White Bass coming in off the river above the Logansport bridge. Concentrate in the flooded sloughs with 1/4 to 1/2 oz. Chrome/ blue back traps, and chartreuse or white road runners working best. Crappie have slowed from last week. Some still being caught but they are suspended in 12 to 14 foot in 20 to 24 ft of water. Concentrate at the mouth of the sloughs dumping into the river channel. Chartreuse jigs tipped with shiners working best. 2-6-01 Lake Level: 171.99 ft, (172 ft high pool) slowly falling Clarity: Muddy to stained on the North End clearing further south Temp: upper 40s to lower 50s, water is starting to gradually warm. A lot of water still coming into the lake but the Authority is releasing a lot of water creating a small fall in the level. The Black Bass bite is still slow but getting better every day. Five fish stringers up to 22 lbs on 1/2 to 1 oz spinner baits slow rolled from bank shallow to 7 ft of water on inside and outside grass lines, jigs in black/blue or camo pitched in 2 to 3 ft bushes and 1/2 to 3/4 oz crawfish and chartreuse traps fished in 5 to 7 ft grass clumps working best. As the water continues to warm the bass will become more active in anticipation of the spawn. Good reports of White Bass coming in off the river above and below the Logansport bridge. Concentrate on the sand bars, and flooded sloughs with live Crawfish, Rinky Dink tail spinners, road runners, chrome traps and slab spoons. Good reports of large Crappie coming in off river channel proper. Concentrate on the edges of the flooded sloughs. Shiners and jigs working best when fished over brush. 1-30-01 Lake Level: 171.94 ft, (172 ft high pool) Clarity: Muddy to stained on the North End clearing further south Temp: mid to upper 40s, water is starting to gradually warm. The lake is at high pool and a lot of fresh water still coming into the lake. The Black Bass are holding in deep water with the water temp ranging in the 40s. Spoons, jigs and deep diving crank baits working best. Look for balls of shad on your depth finder in 20 plus foot of water. As the water temp starts warming to the 50s, jigs, tubes, soft plastics, traps, crank baits, and spinner baits will become more productive as the fish will start moving up with the rising water and staging off the points, creek bends and flooded brush leading to the backs of the coves and creeks. The White Bass fishing has been difficult because of the fast running water in the river. When the river stabilizes, concentrate on the sand bars, and flooded sloughs with live Crawfish, Rinky Dink tail spinners, road runners and slab spoons. The Crappie are holding in 25 plus foot of water over brush. Shiners and jigs working best. 1-23-01 Lake Level: 171.32 ft, (172 ft high pool) Clarity: Muddy to stained on the North End clearing further south Temp: low to mid 40s Fishing has been extremely slow due to the weather, not many fishermen on the lake. A lot of fresh water still coming into the lake. The Black Bass are holding in deep water with the water temp ranging in the 40s. Spoons, jigs and deep diving crank baits working best. Look for balls of shad on your depth finder in 20 plus foot of water. As the water temp starts warming to the 50s, jigs, tubes, soft plastics, traps, crank baits, and spinner baits will become more productive as the fish will start moving up with the rising water and staging off the points, creek bends and flooded brush leading to the backs of the coves and creeks. The White Bass fishing has been difficult because of the fast running water in the river. When the river stabilizes, concentrate on the sand bars, and flooded sloughs with live Crawfish, Rinky Dink tail spinners, road runners and slab spoons. The Crappie are holding in 25 plus foot of water over brush. Shiners and jigs working best. 1-16-00 Lake Level: 169.7 ft, (172 ft high pool) Clarity: Muddy to stained on the North End clearing further south Temp: low to mid 40s A lot of fresh water passing through the lake but the level is holding steady with the release of water down river. The Black Bass are still holding in deep water with the water temp ranging in the 40s. Spoons, jigs and deep diving crank baits working best. Look for balls of shad on your depth finder in 20 plus foot of water. As the water temp starts warming to the 50s, rattle traps, crank baits, and spinner baits will become more productive as the fish will start staging off the points and creek bends leading to the backs of the coves and creeks. The White Bass are starting to make their annual migration up the river proper in anticipation of their spawn. Concentrate on the sand bars and bends in the river channel. Rinky Dink tail spinners, road runners and slab spoons working best. The Crappie are holding in 25 plus foot of water over brush. Shiners and jigs working best. 01-03-01 Lake Level: 169.8 ft, 2ft -4inches below high pool and rising Clarity: Muddy to stained on the North End clearing further south Temp: Upper 30s to mid 40s The lake has risen 1 1/2 feet in the past two weeks and still a lot of fresh water coming into the lake. High winds, cold temperatures and bad weather have kept most fishermen on the bank. Black Bass: Falling water temperatures have pushed the bass into deep water. Bite is slow and they are holding tight to cover. Jigs in black/blue, brown/orange and camo along with deep diving shad colored crank baits and spoons working best. Bite is better in the afternoon. White Bass: Cold temperatures will slow the migration of the Whites up the lake to the river proper. Concentrate on the old river channel sand-bars with slab spoons and Rinky Dink tail spinners.Crappie: The Crappie have moved into deeper water with the cold temperatures also. Concentrate in 30 to 50 ft. of water with shiners and 1/32 oz. jigs. Double rig a couple lines with a jig and a shiner on each line about 2 feet apart. Put a jig on bottom on one and a shiner on bottom on the other to see what they are hitting best. Bite has been extremelylight. 12-19-00 Lake Level: 168.4 ft, 3 1/2 ft below high pool and holding Clarity: stained north, clear south Not many fishermen on the lake or reports coming in due to the weather conditions. High winds, cold temperatures and bad weather have kept most fishermen on the bank. The pattern remains the same as it has been for the past couple weeks. Black Bass: Falling water temperatures have pushed the bass into deep water. Bite is slow and they are holding tight to cover. Jigs in black/blue, brown/orange and camo along with deep diving shad colored crank baits and spoons working best. Bite is better in the afternoon. White Bass: The White Bass are starting their annual migration up the lake to the river proper. Concentrate on the old river channel sand-bars. Slab spoons and Rinky Dinky tail spinners working best. Crappie: Shiners and 1/32 oz. Black Jigs working best when fished over brush in 18 to 22ft of water. 12-12-00 Lake Level: 168.5 ft, 3 1/2 ft below high pool and holding Clarity: stained north, clear south Not many fishermen on the lake or reports coming in due to the weather conditions. Black Bass: Falling water temperatures have pushed the bass into deep water. Bite is slow and they are holding tight to cover. Jigs in black/blue, brown/orange and camo along with deep diving shad colored crank baits and spoons working best. Bite is better in the afternoon. White Bass: The White Bass are starting their annual migration up the lake to the river proper. Concentrate on the old river channel sand-bars. Slab spoons and Rinky Dinky tail spinners working best. Crappie: Shiners and 1/32 oz. Black Jigs working best when fished over brush in 18 to 22ft of water. 12-04-00 Lake Level: 168.5 ft, 3 1/2 ft below high pool and holding Clarity: stained north, clear south Black Bass: Falling water temperatures have pushed the bass into deep water. Bite is slow and they are holding tight to cover. Jigs in black/blue, brown/orange and camo along with deep diving shad colored crank baits and spoons working best. Bite is better in the afternoon. White Bass: The White Bass are starting their annual migration up the lake to the river proper. Concentrate on the old river channel sand-bars. Slab spoons and Rinky Dinky tail spinners working best. Crappie: Shiners and 1/32 oz. Black Jigs working best when fished over brush in 18 to 22ft of water. 11-28-00 Lake Level: 168.5 ft, 3 1/2 ft below high pool and rising Clarity: muddy north, stained to clear south Temp: Low 50s The lake has risen over a foot in the last week with the recent rains and continues to rise. High rising muddy water and high pressure has slowed the bite way down. Fish are scattered and holding tight to cover. As the lake stabilizes the bite should increase. Black Bass: crank baits in shad colors and half to three quarter ounce jigs in black/blue working best. White Bass: slab spoons and Rinky Dinky tail spinners working best. Crappie: shiners and 1/32 oz. Jigs working best. Good reports of catfish coming in on live and cut bait. Concentrate in areas where fresh water is dumping into the lake. 11-20-00 Lake Level: 167.5 ft, 4 1/2 ft below high pool and rising Clarity: Stained north, clear south Temp: Low 50s Black Bass- cold weather has dropped the surface water temperature into the low fifties pushing the bass into deep water. The bass are bunched up in 21 to 24 ft. of water. Spoons working best. White Bass- work the old river channel sand bars in 16 to 20 ft of water. Slab spoons and Rinky Dink tail spinners working best. Bite is better in the afternoon. Crappie- bite getting better every day as water temperature continues dropping. Early morning best time. 1/32 oz Jigs and Shiners working best fished over river channel brush tops in 12 to 20 ft of water. 11-16-00 Lake Level: 167.3 ft and rising Clarity: Stained north, clear south Temp: Mid 60s Black Bass up to 7 lbs on mid to deep diving crank baits in shad colors when fished on the old river channel shelf and ledges. The bass are suspended and holding in large numbers when located. White Bass have slowed up since last week but still able to catch a limit along the sand-bars in the river channel in 16 to 20 ft of water. Slab spoons and Rinky Dink tail spinners working best. Bite is better in the afternoon. Crappie bite getting better every day. Early morning best time. 1/32 oz Jigs and Shiners working best fished over river channel brush tops in 12 to 20 ft of water. Return to The Outdoors Guide Home ____________________________________________________________ |
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