March 26, 2008 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

[Thompson Fishing Guide Service]

March 26, 2008 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

WALLEYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The current lake level is 878.62…normal pool is 867. The rising water, muddied from the runoff from the creeks, has caused a lot of speculation and predictions on how the fishing will be affected. Will the walleye chase shad in the shallow waters of the coves? Or will they stay in the security of the deep waters (especially those close to the dam), and wait for the water to clear and warm up so they can spawn?

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket when reading fishing reports online or talking to folks at the boat ramp. The roller coaster of cold fronts and warm days, combined with frequent rains and constantly flowing creeks, has negated the traditional patterns for the prespawn and spawn. You need to try a variety of tactics at this time to be successful determining patterns and implementing them at the right time. You can definitely find the fish on Stockton now, but you have to experiment to determine what they will eat.

The best approach to catching pre-spawn walleye that are still 30-50 feet deep is the most basic, and that is the jig and minnow or jig and night crawler. You need to position your boat right on top of the fish, and fish the depth of the fish. If the fish won’t take these baits, vary the depth and see if you can draw a strike.

If you are working a school of fish that you are staying on with your scope, give them about 45 minutes (switching baits) and then move if you don’t get a bite. The bite for the most part will be very light, so concentrate!

If the walleye are shallow in the coves chasing shad, cast some crappie jigs (chartreuse or white) at them while they are on the move feeding. If that doesn’t work, throw a bright, suspended jerk bait or a swimming minnow at them.

No matter what you do, fish til dark…they have been really turning on in the early evening til after dark.

Things might be a little more unpredictable than usual right now, but when you find the right combination in the right place at the right time, you’ll have more than you can handle.

Oh, and by the way, the "don't fish near MY docks" issue has been resurrected by a marina lessee who shall remain unidentified. You have a 50/50 chance of winning the argument if a representative of The Law arrives (Water Patrol has jurisdiction, Corps owns the lake, and they don't agree on this issue). My advice is don't choose this hill to die on if you are confronted by a marina lessee. I had two clients with me and was frankly stunned by the immediate hostility with which we were confronted. This is an issue that needs to be handled and clarified before someone gets hurt.

Marty Thompson

Thompson Fishing Guide Service

www.fishstockton.com

417-424-BASS

[Hooked]

Thank you for the report sir. I will come down Saturday afternoon and stay until Monday afternoon. I sure would like to run into a school of feeding walleye. I've only caught 3 in my life time.

It's sad to hear that you have had trouble with the boat docks/marina lessee. I would like to presue this but not sure how to go about it. Like you said, from what I have seen someone is going to get hurt. Some fisherman are not going to put up with someone standing on a dock screaming at them and throwing things at them. It's interesting that the water patrol would support this. Makes me think the officer is related to the issue.

Anyone have any ideas on how to persue the legal aspect of this.

March 26, 2008 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

WALLEYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The current lake level is 878.62…normal pool is 867. The rising water, muddied from the runoff from the creeks, has caused a lot of speculation and predictions on how the fishing will be affected. Will the walleye chase shad in the shallow waters of the coves? Or will they stay in the security of the deep waters (especially those close to the dam), and wait for the water to clear and warm up so they can spawn?

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket when reading fishing reports online or talking to folks at the boat ramp. The roller coaster of cold fronts and warm days, combined with frequent rains and constantly flowing creeks, has negated the traditional patterns for the prespawn and spawn. You need to try a variety of tactics at this time to be successful determining patterns and implementing them at the right time. You can definitely find the fish on Stockton now, but you have to experiment to determine what they will eat.

The best approach to catching pre-spawn walleye that are still 30-50 feet deep is the most basic, and that is the jig and minnow or jig and night crawler. You need to position your boat right on top of the fish, and fish the depth of the fish. If the fish won’t take these baits, vary the depth and see if you can draw a strike.

If you are working a school of fish that you are staying on with your scope, give them about 45 minutes (switching baits) and then move if you don’t get a bite. The bite for the most part will be very light, so concentrate!

If the walleye are shallow in the coves chasing shad, cast some crappie jigs (chartreuse or white) at them while they are on the move feeding. If that doesn’t work, throw a bright, suspended jerk bait or a swimming minnow at them.

No matter what you do, fish til dark…they have been really turning on in the early evening til after dark.

Things might be a little more unpredictable than usual right now, but when you find the right combination in the right place at the right time, you’ll have more than you can handle.

Oh, and by the way, the "don't fish near MY docks" issue has been resurrected by a marina lessee who shall remain unidentified. You have a 50/50 chance of winning the argument if a representative of The Law arrives (Water Patrol has jurisdiction, Corps owns the lake, and they don't agree on this issue). My advice is don't choose this hill to die on if you are confronted by a marina lessee. I had two clients with me and was frankly stunned by the immediate hostility with which we were confronted. This is an issue that needs to be handled and clarified before someone gets hurt.

Marty Thompson

Thompson Fishing Guide Service

www.fishstockton.com

417-424-BASS

[Hooked]

Right now the weather report ( depending on which one you look at ) says 60% chance of Thunder showers on Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday. Saturday will be partly cloudy and about 63 degrees.

So if you are on the lake on Sunday I will be the one with the cup trying to bail the water out.

[Thompson Fishing Guide Service]

My understanding of the Water Patrol's position is that these areas are open to fishermen, but the Corps says their leases with the marina folks allow them to restrict fishing in the areas that are leased to them. Unfortunately, the leases are not available for the public to see. I am quite sure that the Patrol would respond to a disturbance, but I think their hands are tied when it comes to the issue of whether or not boaters can fish marina coves...not just docks, but entire coves.

[CMAC]

There is some new deal regarding this that I thought was taken to the supreme court. Only way you cannot fish is if Corps sign prohibits fishing, unless there is a gas pump then I believe it is 50ft. Otherwise they can't do anything. I am looking for information, but yet to find it.

[Stockton Lake Guide Service]

If the corp of engineers, game and fish, or water patrol has posted the area then it is off limits. The marina owner only signs a lease for the docks, not the water. If you come in contact with the docks, then you can get in trouble, otherwise you should be fine. I agree that it's not worth fighting about. It's a big lake with lots of fish and brush piles, but if that is the only area the fish are biting then fish it and let the guy keep yelling. If he is throwing stuff at you then you can have him arrested for assault. My only question would be why do some people got to be so stupid?