May 7, 2008 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

[Thompson Fishing Guide Service]

May 7, 2008 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

As you all know, water conditions at Stockton lake are high (the highest was 16 feet above normal pool) which is the result of large amounts of rain. The rising water, however, is not really to blame for the hit and miss fishing this year, but it is the unstable weather conditions and the drop in water temperature that affect the fish. The reason I continue to repeat myself (reference the conditions) is in order to catch any fish at all, you as a fisherman or fishermanperson, need to adjust your tactics. Slow and small still seems to be the rule of thumb for bass, crappie and walleye.

Largemouth bass: I was able to have a day off with nice weather, therefore I went bass fishing. In about 1 hour, I caught 4 good bass on a small ¼ oz white jig in the area near Miller Cove. Small plastic worms, Carolina rigged or Texas rigged, are another option. The fish were suspended over about 25 feet of water chasing shad.

Another technique that you need to utilize during this present condition is to vertical fish main lake bluffs with a spinner bait and a Colorado blade. Position your boat close to the bluff, throw down the bluff, let the bait helicopter down and by all means, watch your line. Colorado blade spinner baits sink more slowly and uniformly than willow leaf blades. Also, particularly in the upper or mid section of the lake, the water is stained at best, therefore the extra vibration helps the fish zero in on the bait. When the bait hits the bottom, reel about 3 turns, let it sink again. I find that in stained water conditions, a bigger trailer on the spinner bait will help. Dark colors seem to work well in these water conditions.

Crappie fishing has picked up from what it was 30 years ago. Well, not really, but it seems that long. Anyway, we have been catching crappie right on the edges of the brush line, which can be from 10-15 feet. Males are starting to turn up, which means the females will be laying a little bit deeper. Small Road Runners, small Beetlespins, small curly tailed (by small I mean crappie sized) jigs, fished along these edges, either with or without a minnow, have produced fish for my clients. We are a month behind and you need to consider that in your quest for where the fish will be and what they will be feeding on. Instead of fishing in early May, fish like you do in early April and in the same locations. That’s the same for walleye, bass, crappie. Check water temperature carefully. These fish will congregate in coves due to the fact that largely, the water temperature will be slightly warmer. Crappie spawn in approximately 63-65 degrees (sustained temperature, not this up and down stuff). If you are fishing in water temperatures up in the 50s, fish deeper. If you can find 60+ degree water, the fish will be more shallow. Look for 4 days of stable weather and the fishing should take off. As of right now, as in the days of Noah were, we are facing a great deluge. In Lamar MO, it is possible they’ll get at least 7 inches. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Remember the boat ramp issue. Most boat ramps on Stockton (even though they claim they are open) are unusable. Getting a heavy boat back on the trailer in shallow water is a whole lot harder than getting it off. Make sure your motor is trimmed up a little higher than normal or you’ll gouge out a hole in the parking lot. I have been using Ruark Bluff and RB. On weekends, these parking areas can get congested.

Walleye: Some walleye are being caught in the same areas that the crappie are being caught. Remember that this time of the year (early April, remember you’re a month behind), the walleye move into these areas to feed on shad. By using the same technique as crappie, you should find a few walleye. Added to the list of jigs, try minnow type jerk baits (Rapalas or Rebels), or lures like a small WallyDiver and WiggleWart. The crank baits will work a little better later in the day.

I would concentrate my efforts at least north of the twin bridges, because if this rain produces what they say it will, the Son and Sac arms will be very muddy. With the fishing slow because of environmental conditions, coupled with muddy water, the odds are not in your favor. At least if you fish in clear water and don’t catch fish, you can be assured that the fish at least saw your bait.

All jesting aside, I believe that when the weather stabilizes, along with the water temperatures, fishing will be incredible. There is tons of bait in the lake, a great deal of cover (which is more important than people realize), and new environments appear that help the fish. Watch for logs and snakes.

Marty Thompson

Thompson Fishing Guide Service

www.fishstockton.com

417-424-BASS