Lake Sherwood Trout Fishing

[ozark trout fisher]

I went to Lake Eleanor today today, with the expectation that this late in the season trout would be few and far between. Someone had carved a three foot wide hole in front of the dock, and I decided to drop nightcrawlers down into it. The first cast produced a 10" rainbow, and that ended up being the order of the day. I got my limit (it is three of any size in this lake) within about thirty minutes, and when I cleaned them I found that every single one had either corn or powerbait in it's belly, a sign of how pressured this lake is. It was a nice day, and the trout were hitting quite well. Trout have been open to catch and keep fishing since January 1st, and there was only one stocking of 200 rainbows, so I'm quite surprised the fishing is holding up. As a matter of fact, this was by far my best day fishing there this year, or ever for that matter, and it almost makes me wonder if another stocking had taken place that I wasn't aware of. The trout are kinda small here, but they make good sport on an ultralight. I am really starting to enjoy this whole winter trout pond thing. I always used to overlook it, but I want make that mistake again.

[Sherwood Flycaster]

These last two years of this program havent been what it used to be. For both weather issues and the numbers of people that have come out with their corn and powerbait....many taking to chumming. Weatherwise, heavy rains muddy and then freezing temps make for enough ice to limit available casting water. (As you noted, casting isnt even possible). And, the stocking rate has decreased to boot. Opposite of what it should be. Also, last year about 1/3 of the stock died before the season opened, and I dont know for certain they were replaced.

In years past, I've had some really good days- CnR dozens. Last 2 years, though, I can count on one hand what I've been able to get out of there.

[ozark trout fisher]

These last two years of this program havent been what it used to be. For both weather issues and the numbers of people that have come out with their corn and powerbait....many taking to chumming. Weatherwise, heavy rains muddy and then freezing temps make for enough ice to limit available casting water. (As you noted, casting isnt even possible). And, the stocking rate has decreased to boot. Opposite of what it should be. Also, last year about 1/3 of the stock died before the season opened, and I dont know for certain they were replaced.

In years past, I've had some really good days- CnR dozens. Last 2 years, though, I can count on one hand what I've been able to get out of there.

Yeah, I was pretty shocked, that every single one had corn or some other bait in their belly. Would have released the trout, but there wasn't enough room to cast lures, so I used nightcrawlers, just because I wanted to get some fishing in. As you probably know, this type of fishing isn't very conducive to catch and release, and most swallowed the hook. I can usually avoid that happening in rivers that have open water, but in lakes it is a challenge not to gut hook them. Still, I was pretty pleasantly surprised at the fishing today, it was much better than I expected. I caught 5 in all, but three of those swallowed the hook, and those became my daily limit.

[Sherwood Flycaster]

Yeah, I was pretty shocked, that every single one had corn or some other bait in their belly. Would have released the trout, but there wasn't enough room to cast lures, so I used nightcrawlers, just because I wanted to get some fishing in. As you probably know, this type of fishing isn't very conducive to catch and release, and most swallowed the hook. I can usually avoid that happening in rivers that have open water, but in lakes it is a challenge not to gut hook them. Still, I was pretty pleasantly surprised at the fishing today, it was much better than I expected. I caught 5 in all, but three of those swallowed the hook, and those became my daily limit.

Maybe there'll be some casting lanes open by the weekend....then we'll see just whats left in there!