June 6, 2006 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

[Thompson Fishing Guide Service]

June 6, 2006 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

Walleye: A lot of walleye have been taken in the Turkey Creek arm off of main lake points around the State Park marina. Fish have been caught early and late in the shallows on lipless crank baits. The majority of the big fish, however, are being caught in the deeper water (20-25 feet deep) on crawler harnesses fished with a weight system and 1/2 oz jig head tipped with a 5 inch minnow. Cedar Ridge area is producing some good walleye. Fish the main river channel just north of the 123 bridge with the same presentation. Big walleye are being caught off the flats in the Googer Creek area at night. Deep diving crank baits with a wide wobble, such as the Wally Diver and the Big O are your best choices after dark.

Largemouth bass: Chunk rock bluffs on the main lake which have a long gradual taper at both ends are the places to fish for bass. Plastic worms and jigs work well during the day and top water like Chuggers and ZaraSpooks work well in the evenings along these same bluffs. There is also good top water action in the shallower coves early and late, but your bigger top water fish are caught off the bluffs.

White bass: the coves in the CrabTree Cove area are showing good top water action early and late for feisty white bass. Rebel Pop Rs seems to work well, especially if the rear hook has a white bucktail attached to it. You should have no trouble catching a lot of small males on top, but if you are willing to sacrifice the visual appeal of watching a fish strike your bait on top, back off in the mouth of the cove in deeper water and try casting a white 1/2 oz curly tail jig. Remember to watch your line as you let the bait fall because if you are not ready, you'll miss the fish. Slow trolling deep diving small crank baits in shad colors during the day in the Masters ramp area has been productive.

Crappie: from Price Branch to Birch Branch, find the timber and you'll find the crappie. Your bigger crappie will hold to timber in deeper water and can be caught under a bobber with medium sized minnows. A consistent but smaller bite can be found in the backs of timbered coves in from 7 feet of water to the shore. Small white or chartreuse crappie jigs fished in these areas will no doubt produce fish. The marked crappie beds will also lead you to action. If you can keep your minnows alive, they are the recommended bait either hooked on a jig or an Aberdeen hook.

Marty Thompson

www.fishstockton.com