January 14, 2010 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

[Thompson Fishing Guide Service]

January 14, 2010 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

Reference the conditions at Stockton Lake: with the present conditions that exist (water temp around 37 degrees, ice 4 inches thick at State Park marina (be glad you don't own a high dollar sailboat), ramps freezing, most of the lake frozen over, floating chunks of ice that could slice open the hull of your boat like knife going through butter, the possibility of falling in the lake and dying of hypothermia, fish not biting), you'd be a fool to get out on the lake right now in these conditions. However, I am talking to many people about trips in the near future.

Guide's note: these conditions are unusual in that a highland reservoir like Stockton Lake freezes over to this degree, if ever. My prophecy is that with the cold water, there will be a large baitfish die-off, which if you have been reading my reports for the last several years, you'll know that much bait means slow fishing; less bait means good fishing because there is less food. Equate that with the fact that Stockton Lake has had excellent spawning seasons for the last 3 years, now you got a lot of hungry fish.

Stay tuned!

Marty Thompson

Thompson Fishing Guide Service

www.fishstockton.com

417-424-BASS

Often imitated, never duplicated. Fish The Finest!

[Thompson Fishing Guide Service]

Here are a couple photos from last weekend at Ruark Bluff

[Dutch]

Thanks for the info Marty.

When do you think it will be safe to motor around the lake?

[getfished]

I'm not sure I understood your opinion. If there is a big bait die off and slow fishing, If there are lots of hungry fish wouldn't that make good fishing? I must have missed something. is there any more explanation for a slow learner like me?

[Dutch]

I do not presume to know what anyone else is thinking just the way I read it. To me it said there may be a big shad die off now and a good bite this spring. Maybe I too need some more feed back.

[Thompson Fishing Guide Service]

What I meant was, if this frozen water causes a lot of shad to die, there will be less bait (shad) in Stockton. If there is less bait for the fish to eat naturally, they are more apt to strike an artificial bait that a fisherman might throw out. So this is good news for all of us fishermen if my prediction reference a bait kill happens.

Marty

[Predator1]

Thanks Marty,

My rig and lines and baits and trailer and etc etc etc are always ready and willing.

See ya'll soon

Charles

[getfished]

Thanks for returning with an additional clarification. I appreciate it. I'm just not the sharpest pencil in the box. It sounds good for this season.

[hooked on crappie]

January 14, 2010 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

Reference the conditions at Stockton Lake: with the present conditions that exist (water temp around 37 degrees, ice 4 inches thick at State Park marina (be glad you don't own a high dollar sailboat), ramps freezing, most of the lake frozen over, floating chunks of ice that could slice open the hull of your boat like knife going through butter, the possibility of falling in the lake and dying of hypothermia, fish not biting), you'd be a fool to get out on the lake right now in these conditions. However, I am talking to many people about trips in the near future.

Guide's note: these conditions are unusual in that a highland reservoir like Stockton Lake freezes over to this degree, if ever. My prophecy is that with the cold water, there will be a large baitfish die-off, which if you have been reading my reports for the last several years, you'll know that much bait means slow fishing; less bait means good fishing because there is less food. Equate that with the fact that Stockton Lake has had excellent spawning seasons for the last 3 years, now you got a lot of hungry fish.

Stay tuned!

Marty Thompson

Thompson Fishing Guide Service

www.fishstockton.com

417-424-BASS

Often imitated, never duplicated. Fish The Finest!

[hooked on crappie]

I was at Stockton today ( Sunday Jan. 17 ). We were able to put in at Old State Park ramp, With a lot of ice breaking. We motored all the way to Mutton Creek, But was blocked by 4 inch ice about 4 hundred yards from Y bridge. We cleared an ice path from the mouth of Mutton Creek to the boat launch at Mutton's south ramp. Spent most of our day breaking ice, But were able to catch one nice 11 inch crappie, about 40 feet deep. P.S. We saw about 18 to 20 EAGLES!!! David H.