June 21, 2006 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

[Thompson Fishing Guide Service]

June 21, 2006 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

Walleye: A lot of walleye are being caught in the Crabtree Cove early and late in the backs of coves. I have been catching a lot of fish on small crank baits like shallow running chartreuse Bagley Bs. You'll find a lot of action this way, but a majority of the fish are sub legal. If you fish the middle of the day, I would suggest fishing the mouths of main lake coves above the 215 bridge. The fish will be about 20 feet deep in the thermocline and jig/nightcrawlers seem to be the best combination now, but don't overlook minnows. Bigger walleye (3-4 lbs) are being caught at night along the dam or off the main lake points. I have been slow trolling with deep and shallow diving jerk baits in these areas and have caught good fish. You can also cast these same baits to the shore or along the dam and still catch fish. Most of my walleye fishing at night is slow trolling because I can cover a lot of water, stay in the strike zone longer, and it's safer because I don't have to worry about removing laser sharp hooks from a Husky Rogue from the back of my neck due to a misplaced cast in the dark.

Largemouth Bass: I've been concentrating my efforts in the upper end of the lake (from Route Y bridge to Greenfield put in). I like to fish timber and if you find the right structure, in the timber, you can catch big fish (6-8 lbs). Find creek channel bends in the timber; back off and cast Carolina lizards (purple, blue or black) in the bend and let it set several seconds, then move it about a foot at a time and hold on. Crawdad green jigs worked in the same way work well too. Fish the backs of coves early and late with Chugger type baits and you should see good action. The main lake bluffs in the Turkey Creek arm of the lake have been producing good fish as well. Jigs and willow leaf spinner baits fished horizontally to the bluff are the best approach. Let the jig or spinner bait fall a little deeper on each cast before you start your retrieve, this gives you better coverage than the vertical approach. For more night fishing techniques, please see the July issue of Missouri Game and Fish, page 24.

Crappie: Deep water + cover + large minnows = big Crappie. Find brush off of main lake or secondary lake points in around 35 feet of water. Tie on a 1/4 oz jig head with a medium to large minnow and suspend the bait 2-3 feet above the top of the brush pile. This is where bigger Crappie live and big minnows are what big Crappie eat. For sheer numbers, the marked crappie beds will produce fish anywhere in the lake. These beds are in about 15 feet of water, so you can slow troll small bass plugs around the beds and catch legal fish.

Channel cat fishing is superb on Stockton Lake, as usual this time of the year. Mutton Creek campground, Cedar Ridge campground, are good places to start, whether you are fishing from shore or from a boat. Night crawlers and chicken livers seem to be the most consistent baits, but anything seems to work. Remember one thing: if you fish at night, fish in shallow water (5-8 feet); when the sun goes down, these fish move into the shallows to feed. During the day, fish deeper (15-20 feet).

Marty Thompson

www.fishstockton.com

417-424-BASS

[gonefishin]

I always appreciate your reports Marty; thanks. I hope to come up and fish with you this fall. Are there any good Bluegill being caught?

[Thompson Fishing Guide Service]

For blue gill I'd try the rocky bluff at the point entering State Park. Also, try the marked crappie bed across the lake from State Park put in right off the big rocky bluff. 15-20 feet deep with night crawlers or crickets.

Good to hear you appreciate the fishing reports. Thanks