May 31, 2006 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

[Thompson Fishing Guide Service]

May 31, 2006 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

Walleye : Warm weather has pushed the walleye into deeper water, therefore the best advice is the basic rule #1: find the shad and you'll find the walleye. Walleye tend to hold on the thermocline this time of the year and travel aimlessly in large schools throughout summer until the water starts to cool. Bigger fish are caught on bigger baits, therefore I have been tipping my 4 inch white or chartreuse twister tail jigs with big minnows. When you go to the bait shop, buy large minnows. Most of my targets have been above the 215 bridge in the area of the dam and in the points off of Masters Cove area. I use my trolling motor to stay on stop of the schools that I mark on my sonar; fish about 2 feet above the depth that you mark the schools of fish. Crank baits such as WigglWarts, Big Os and the like are catching fish early and late off main lake and secondary points above the 215 bridge.

Good bass are showing up off main lake points in the Twin Bridges area. For midday action, I have been using my old reliable purple 11 inch ribbon tailed worms fished off main lake points in about 20 feet of water. Crawdad colored jig n pigs will also catch good fish (3-5 pounds). Early and late produces a good top water bite in the Hawker Point and Old State Park coves with anything from PopRs to Devil Horses. Bigger bass can be caught in the mouths of these coves early and late on deep diving crank baits as they chase shad.

Crappie fishing has been hot throughout the lake, but I have been concentrating my efforts on fish in the Turkey Creek arm. We've been catching nice crappie (10-15 inches) on medium sized minnows in about 20 feet of water in the timber. Find structure within the timber and you'll find fish. This is the most consistent pattern not only in the Turkey Creek arm, but throughout the lake.

White bass: focus your attention on the rip rap on the bridges and you'll find a good white bass top water bite early and late. For midday white bass action, fish deeper water around the rip rap with Tail Spinners or white or chartreuse 1/4 oz jigs. Remember the fish will stay on the shady side of the bridges, so concentrate your efforts there. Reference the jig presentation, most of your bites will be on the fall, so be ready for that electric impulse when it comes up your line.

Marty Thompson

www.fishstockton.com