February 28, 2006 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

[Thompson Fishing Guide Service]

February 28, 2006 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

Now that the water is starting to warm up again, I would look for walleye on the major points adjacent to the major tributaries on Stockton Lake (Maze Creek, Son and Sac Arms). The fish are staging to spawn in these areas and the best approach would be jerk baits (Husky jerks in shad colors) early and late and drifting white or chartreuse 1/2 oz jigs tipped with night crawlers or minnows during the day. A spawn peak will occur about the middle of March along with the moon phase, so your chance for a big fish is better now than any other time of the year.

A lot of nice large mouth bass are being caught consistently on deeper structure; drop shot rigs or Carolina rigged worms or lizards with a 1 oz sinker seem to work in these areas the best. For early and late fishing, suspended jerk baits work well, along the edges and backs of coves that face south. At this time of year, water temperature is from 3 to 7 degrees warmer on the south side than on the north facing banks.

Crappie are still being caught in the backs of wooded coves where the water temperature is the warmest. The fish in these areas are around 8 feet deep. Early and late try casting crappie jigs with a light spin casting outfit around the brush and you'll get bites. Crappie are also being caught on main lake crappie beds in around 20 feet of water with crappie jigs or minnows. Try slow trolling small crank baits in shad colors along the bluffs and you'll catch bigger fish.

Marty Thompson

www.fishstockton.com

417-424-BASS