June 27, 2006 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

[Thompson Fishing Guide Service]

June 27, 2006 Stockton Lake Fishing Report

Walleye are being caught early and late on the flats in the Googer Creek area by slow trolling Wiggle Warts, Rattletrap and crawler harnesses. Start in water around 25-30 feet deep and fish parallel to the shore line, working your way into shallower water from there. Use the same technique in this area at night; the walleye come up shallow after the shad and can be caught on a variety of crank baits. This holds true for the points in the dam area also. During the heat of the day (if you choose to be out there), find the schools of shad which will be 20-23 feet deep and slow drift a jig head with a minnow or a jig head with half of a night crawler. Fish a foot or two above the fish you mark.

Largemouth bass fishing is good throughout the lake, particularly early and late casting crank baits and slow rolled spinner baits to the shore. To catch bigger fish, fish deeper. Instead of casting to the backs of coves to the shoreline for the 13 1/2 inch fish, back off and fish deeper water with slow rolled spinner baits, jigs or plastic worms. Do you ever notice when you catch a lot of little fish, they're all the same size? Big bass like big bucks hang together in more out of the way places. Don't forget top water...early and late obviously is good for top water, but don't forget middle of the day. Cloud cover can bring bass to the surface at any time. For night fishing tips for big bass, refer to the article in the July issue of Missouri Game and Fish.

Crappie: like bass, big Crappie hang together in big Crappie spots. Look at cover on structure in 30-35 feet of water. Medium to large minnows are your best bet when looking for your bigger fish (12 inches +). Numbers will be down, but quality will be up. If you want a lot of action, with less quality fish, try the marked Crappie beds. Turkey Creek area is good, fishing deeper timber, along with the timber in the Sac River arm. If you can find brush in around 20 feet of water, along with timber, that will hold big Crappie.

Channel cats: like always, channel cat fishing has been excellent throughout the lake. For shore fishermen, Cedar Ridge campground, Masters, and Crabtree Cove campgrounds are good areas to shore fish or to fish from a boat. Anything from night crawlers to chicken livers work well. Try this technique: use a crappie light over the side of your boat, slow drift a jig and large minnow, and you'll attract bigger catfish (4 - 7 lbs). Note: this method will also net you Walleye and good Crappie.

Marty Thompson

www.fishstockton.com

417-424-BASS

[fox_76]

Marty, just wanted to thank you for all you reports, and helpful hints. the reports you post here are awsome and i really like that you include us lowly bank fishers.