Stockton Lake Fishing Report

[Stockton Lake Guide Service]

Some of the fish are starting to transition to their fall patterns, while some are still biting the same way as they have all summer.

Walleye have been good in 12-20 foot of water on night crawlers and some are hitting crankbaits and rattletraps on points. Either way should catch you some fish. The bite seems to be best North of the y highway bridge, but that's also where I have been fishing more. I'm sure you can find fish on points up either of the arms. If you decide to go the night crawler pattern, fish in 18-20 foot of water and drift the crawlers on an 1/8 oz jig head (you can use bigger if the wind is blowing hard) If you catch a fish, mark the depth and work that area hard. Don't be afraid to try to go shallower if you don't get hit deep. The crankbaits and rattletrap bite is picking up. Your best bet is to work inside, outside, and straight out on the point. work several depths to locate the fish. They will usually be shallower on the cloudy days, but if the sun comes out they will either move deeper or slow down.

Bass are moving to the backs of the coves and chasing shad. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits are working best. Look for the shad and work that area hard. This lake holds some big bass, and they have to eat, so do your best to imitate a wounded shad, and you increase your chance of a hit. The topwater bite has really picked up also. Chug bugs and pop r's are getting the best bites, but buzzbaits will work also. Again, work from secondary points back, but if the sun is up high, you need to slow down and/or go deeper. Most of the fish are coming in 12 foot or less.

Crappie have been awesome. Still catching some good fish in brush about 20 foot deep, but some of these fish are starting to move up to feed for the winter. Don't pass up fish chasing shad thinking they are always bass/white bass. I've never seen them chasing like the whites do, but crappie will chase shad and you can throw a road runner into them and catch lots of big crappie fast. It only takes a few cast to figure out if they are there. Points are the other place the crappie are hitting now as they stage to go back to feed for the winter.

Catfish are still hitting excellent. Fresh shad is the best bait. "thread" the shad on a #2 crappie hook (or you can go a lil bigger) and use a big enough split shot to get to the bottom then float across the flats in 10-20 foot of water. If weve had lots of rain try the backs of the creeks where water is flowing in to the lake. It's been a great fall for the catfish and a great way to take a grandparent/grandchild or someone who just wants to "catch" fish and doesn't like fishing.

White bass should be hitting the surface still, but I haven't been out in the evening for the past couple nights. Trying to stay away till the weekend is over now.

Be careful this weekend and watch out for the tubers/jet skis and all the kids in the water.

As always feel free to call me at 417-208-9535 if you have any questions. This is a new "google" phone number that rings home/cell at same time then if you leave a message it sends me a text on my cell if I can't answer. Makes me feel important when I get these but don't call after 10, I'll be asleep.