Last Few Weeks

[OzarkFishman]

I have hit Springfield Lake 5 times in the last 2 weeks. I have been trolling around pitching plastics and jigs right up snug to any cover (trees, grass, shore, any abnormality). I have taken a few different people and each time we boat between 10 - 12 fish (mostly bass, with some big sunfish mixed in). Mainly we are catching pounders, with a few bigger ones mixed in and some dinks along the way.

I plan on trying some different things in the next few weeks.

Good luck and stay hydrated,

OzarkFishman

[Fishin4Fun]

Thanks for the report!

Where do you put in and fish when you go. I have been thinking about taking my boys out on my personal pontoon boats I have and kicking around Springfield lake some. I have never fished it and live 5 minutes away. Any insight you are willing to share I would love to hear. Thanks!

Tyy

[Trout Commander]

Any luck in any locales accessible from shore?

[OzarkFishman]

F4F,

I put in under 65 bridge and troll around the lake. I use my 30# in front most of the time, but when I want to skip over some parts I use my 50# in back.

I've tried some spinnerbaits and cranks, but I can only get a good bite with plastics and jigs. If you can cast accurately, then you will have success. I pitch with a spinning reel and power pro braid. I have better accuracy with a spinning reel.

JDC,

If you can cast to structure, then you should have success. I usually catch a few along the North bank where the walking trail is. If you just walk and look for spots to cast from, then you should pick up a few.

[Fishin4Fun]

Thanks for the info. I will have to get out there and try it. I will let you know how it goes once I get a chance. Maybe I will see you out on the water. If you see a guy in a personal pontoon boat, it's probably me since I don't see anyone else around here using them. Thanks again!

[Trout Commander]

JDC,If you can cast to structure, then you should have success. I usually catch a few along the North bank where the walking trail is. If you just walk and look for spots to cast from, then you should pick up a few.

Thanks OF. I will have to investigate that. The only time I've really spent there has been with now 3 1/2 year old so I haven't been able to explore much. Now that the wife is done with her 12 credit hour summer session I should be able to get in a few short trips sans child and will see what I can find around the trail. Thanks again.

[Hunter91]

I have only been down there once this year but have fished it a lot in years past. My favorite bait is a plastic frog. You get some tremendous blowups and catch some decent fish too.

[Carp E Diem]

Does anyone keep any of the fish that they catch in Lake Springfield? I think they said it is ok to now, but that was only about a year ago, I think, so I'm kinda wary. Just fished there for the first time, caught a few smallies on rooster tails, and some ok-sized bluegill on worms. Are there decent crappie in there at all? I know a lot of people go catfishing there.

[OzarkFishman]

I don't eat anything out of Springfield Lake, but honestly I don't keep what I catch 98% of the time.

As far as being safe, it really comes down to moderation. Smaller fish are safer to eat, because they don't have as much "bad stuff" built up in their tissue.

Tightlines,

OzarkFishman