Spring Fishing

[WHARFRAT]

Havent done great yet, but have managed to catch some crappie so far. B4 the boats came out, caught lots of dinks from lake 33, went over to 38 and caught a few by the corner straight across from the parking lot. None over 9.5"s. but only a couple. Went over to 34, caught one right off the dock not quite 11"s. But didn't catch anything else. Went to 35 and fished both points between the boats and caught 5 over 9"s. and maybe one dink.

Since the boats have been out, I've fished it 3 times, lake35 only. Did ok, lots of dinks. Seemed like the fish were real scattered. Son-in-law caught one 14.5"er on a jig, but most have been under 8"s and much less. Managed less than 20, 9 inches or better in all three boat outings. I think its better in the fall of the year.

[Haris122]

I caught a bass at lake 30 today. That was pretty much it. Saw it stalking Bluegills near the shore, tossed a plastic worm out and got it to go for it. Thought it was a good start, but nothing more hit for the 4 hours I stayed there. The bass was probably the biggest one I caught so far. Around 13-14". I mainly kept trying to see if anything would get it to get hooked again as it continued stalking the bluegill, just kind of as a way for me to see what lures I can really expect to count on, but nothing else worked. Also tried to fool around with the bluegill, but nothing. Those guys just have too small a mouth for me to get them. Kept tossing out a little plastic trout worm, got them nibbling, but never committing enough to really get hooked. That was it. Might have had a bit more luck had I not focused as much on seeing if that bass would get fooled again, but then again I might not have. Also caught my first fish ever at Tilles Park. Just a small bass, but nonetheless, feels good to catch something at a place I tried lots but never had luck in. That heat finally broke my skunking streak.

[stlfisher]

Just an FYI but lake 30 has recently been renovated...I think it opened last year after being closedfor a year or two to let the fish popultions grow a bit. Likey to find mostly small bluegill and smaller size bass...unless they stocked some bigger ones

[Haris122]

Also headed out yesterday and caught 2 bass on Lake 28, after trying my luck at 21 first. 21 seems really shallow and full of vegetation to the point its really hard to fish on it for me. Anything with a hook or a sinker seems to catch on a bunch of vegetation and bring it along. What do you guys think would be some good techniques for lakes like that one? I'm guessing there's something besides fly fishing that can work there, but can't quite figure out what.

[Justin92297]

You could try frog fishing on top of the moss or a spinnerbait just under the surface in clear areas

[Greasy B]

Does a viable bass fishery exist at Busch? In half a lifetime of fishing at BWL I can count one one hand the bass I've caught that were larger than 15". Lake 33 might be worth an actual bass fishing effort but other than that decent bass are one in a hundred. Every evening I spend Bluegill fishing a count a dozen or so 10-12 inchers as bycatch but I can't call that bass fishing.

[mjk86]

Have never bass fished 33 but have heard thats the best lake to go to for 15+ inchers. Ive always had the best luck on 35 where id say about 1 in 10 are 15+ and 1 in 20 are 18+. Caught this one at 35 by the dam yesterday morning. 22 inches, didnt get a weight though. Id guess 5 or 6lbs. There is def some nice bass in that lake, if your willing to wade through 10000 shorts!

[Greasy B]

Excellent fish!

[moguy1973]

A friend of mine has caught many in the 4-5lb range out of both 34 and 35. They are out there, you just have to find them I guess...

[mjk86]

thanks! I have fished 34 before (only twice) and caught several dinks (like every other lake!) but never had any luck on big ones. I will say that 34 is the nicest looking lake in my opinion, sure looks like there should be some monsters in there!