MSUFisherBear

Just got back. Definitely some current in the upper ends. Did well in the flats. Also, I caught an enormous goggle eye today. Completely took me by surprise. I guess they have moved to bed too.

That's the second oof the same such report I'm hearing. I won't name where I heard they were at from my source at work, in case that's the same place you guys have been catching 'em. Shocks me though, as I usually only catch smallies and goggle eye (again, not complaining). And I've decided to go down tomorrow. Will post a report

Was somewhat my thought. I think by Sunday, and by the looks of the gauge out at Crighton, the water should be closer to normal levels by Sunday afternoon. I do think the addition of some color to the water will help. I always do better with the dingy colored water, and I think that's one of my main draws to this lake and to the river overall.

Ok, I haven't been to that corner of town today, but I suspect that the James is rolling right now and looks pretty near the same as Nesquick Milk. Question is, do you think the water will level off and be less murky on Sunday?

I'll look for ya the next time out. I always wonder when I see another fisherman out on the water when I am yakking along.

Whole-heartedly. I used to catch a bunch of bass in the slot, along with occassionally getting on a good school of crappie or whites. And I could always be sure to catch a limit of good eating sized cats up there. But any more, I have just about given up on the lake. It seems that good days are further and further between, and it's getting less and less worth it to drive up and fish it. Outside of possibly getting together with my buddies and shooting the bull while catfishing at night, even though thats more for the laughs than the fishing.

I was up on Sunday. Super windy, but temps felt like possibly upper 50's. may be a good weekend to go out if the cold front passes quickly.

Aarchdale, I meant to say, I thought I may have seen you out a couple of weeks ago jigging around a lay down by the rr tracks. Also, I am guessing that you guys catch them out of brush as well. Definitely going to have to try it again. May have to get the trap out and catch some minnows for use.

luckycraft - Right on man. And for those of you with the crappie bite, I wanted to throw a couple of things out. When I say I fish with jigs, I usually use 1/16 ounce chart. or white roadrunner heads with a curl tail or Lake Fork swimmer (some of you may have seen these before, if not, they look somewhat like the old stubby butt grubs. If you still can't picture it, think of a tiny swimbait with a pin tail). I personally prefer colors of white, silver, black and silver, or red and silver. I will use some chart. or chart/white when the water gets a little murkier. I feel this plays on the healthy population of the threadfins. When using a spinnerbait, I stick to white or chartruse. Typically it's an 1/8 ounce with a very small willow blade (maybe #2 or #3, depending on the day). You don't have to tell me your secrets or colors, but is this similar to your lures, or am I off base? Also, any tips or retreives? Again, not looking for specifics on area, time of day, or even the exact colors or lures, just some ideas.

Haven't been out yet this spring. I have been debating the fact, but I am thinking that the best option is to wait a bit until some of this forsaken wind slows. It's been an odd spring for weather, and one I haven't necessarily wanted to chance yet.

Dang! Those are some nice crappie. Maybe I'm not going about it the right way. I jig fish and have even thrown a few spinnerbaits, but all I can catch is bass (not a problem that I necessarily hate) :-P

Oh gotchya! If you see me, let me know. Mine a little red 8'er. I usually hang around the bluff area. Give me a shout when your down!

I've had that kind of luck on Fellows. Late in the winter I have caught some REALLY nice crappie out of that lake. I'll try to post a pic sometime. But, I can't find them outside of winter. The lakes can be REALLY frustrating when it comes to crappie around here, so I have really almost completely given up the chase. If I want to eat, I'll catch cats and a bunch of big bluegill. Just as good to eat, and they seem to be plenty abundant.

Lucky, I don't think I was really clear. I was in a Kayak, but I am a loner. :-P. No fishin buddy on that day.

I have caught exactly ONE out of that lake. Totally unexpected. I had the canoe out on that day with the girlfriend. I caught him out of one of the many brush piles WAY up in the river on a Crickhopper that I was using like a top water plug that day :-S. Ironically, the only other fish that I caught that day were bass and some whopper red-ears.

I will be down there in all liklihood on Sunday. Got some other business to attend to in the mean time.

I can do one pole, one lure type may be a little rough. I am an all over the place kind of guy, and like I said in my other post, I always like throwing what the other guy aint if I can get 'em to bite.

I know, it's just nice when a department like that takes it up. Takes a lot of the liability issues out of it. I'm just saying, it doesn't seem like they really cater much to the anglers in town that utilize their parks. But, I would have to say, if push came to shove this woudl definetely be an option.

That's the exact same problem that I have ran into on Springfield. I know everyone has spring fever like I, but why can't they paddle somewhere where the fish are not.

Is anyone going fishing this weekend at Springfield or Fellows?

No, you just take a picture of the fish on a ruler after you catch it. CPR stands for catch, picture, release. That way we don't put any strain on the fish. You could post them on a blog or something like that. Just a thought. It'd be really cool if the parks board did something like this. They sanction all other kinds of athletic events.

LOL, if it wasn't a pipe-dream, I wouldn't hold it against ya :-P.

I wonder if the Marina owners/CU would go for it on Fellows? I wonder who could host. I mean, heck, it would be a blast even if there really wasn't any prizes awarded. Just something to get together to do!

Yes, I would have to agree on that point. Still, as healthy as the shad population in that lake is, you would think that there would be a fairly positive correlation to the amount of crappie. I do know that it has certainly done nothing but help the bass and catfish populations in that lake.

Yeah. I can't figure out why there aren't more tho. That lake has a healthy population of shad... There should be a LOT more crappie. Ironically, all my fish on senkos have came towards the river portion. I've been doing well on the channel breaks all the way up and down the lake. The problem is, I can't see a consistent pattern from one day to the next.