April 26, 2006 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

[Thompson Fishing Guide Service]

April 26, 2006 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

Big Walleye on Stockton Lake have slowed a bit since the spawn, however a lot of legal fish are being taken in the backs of major coves throughout the lake on plastic jigs. White seems to be the best color, but it's always good to experiment. Look for the coves with sandy banks on the down wind side. These walleye are in a pre-summer feeding mode, which means they are where the shad are, and the shad are spawning in these areas. They're also biting on main lake points on anything from Rattletraps to BagleyBs in around 8-10 feet of water. What can I say, fishing's really hot now.

Crappie fishing couldn't be better than it is right now. Timbered coves with pea gravel shores are a guarantee right now, due to the fact that the crappie are spawning. I like to use small white jigs; throw toward the bank and drag it back to the boat in about 12 feet of water. Your bigger Crappie seem to be deeper. Another good Big Crappie location is main lake points. Use your depth finder to find suspended fish and use white or chartreuse jigs at that depth; the weight of the jig depends on wind conditions.

White bass have slowed down a little after the spawn, but your bigger fish can still be caught from the 215 bridge to the dam; the closer to the dam the better. Try jigging small spoons off main lake points and in the mouths of coves in the dam area. White or chartreuse jigs will also work well.

Large mouth bass are being caught all over the lake off secondary points and in the backs of coves. Early and late is good for a top water bite; find the shore facing south in the morning and try BuzzBaits, PopRs, or Prop Baits and you'll catch fish. As the sun comes up, fish the points in the same area that you caught the fish on earlier. Small males can be caught by casting crank baits or tubes along pea gravel shores, however if you want bigger fish, try plastic worms, or Colorado blade spinner baits in about 15-20 feet of water. The Sac River arm anywhere below the 160 bridge is producing decent sized fish (3-5 pounds). It's doubly good if you like fishing timber. I've been catching fish with plastic worms and jigs by dragging them through the creek channels in the timber. A lot of guys don't like to fish this way, but I do, because I'm tough and I'm a fishing guide.

Marty Thompson

417-424-BASS

www.fishstockton.com

[wily]

is the CC ramp usable?

[Thompson Fishing Guide Service]

No, it is not.