What's Fishing At Thomas Hill Like?

[Haris122]

I asked this at another section of the forum but I wanted to span out to improve my chances of finding out about it.

In case this winter turns out to be as rough as last year, I'm trying to think of potential fishing trips aside from the usual trout fishing, and ice fishing (provided the ice gets thick enough). I'm wondering if someone can give me some fairly recent information on fishing at Thomas Hill Reservoir. Like what kind of fish you have luck with, how busy the lake gets/if it's fishable from a kayak, how good the fishing is, etc. Also am wondering if someone knows of any other warm water discharge lakes within an hour or two of St. Louis (Illinois lakes work too). Thomas Hill is kind of on the far end of how far I'd want to have to go, but if the winter is rough, I would try it once or twice at least.

[rangerman]

Not the most recent.....

The colder the better for that lake. Put in many mornings in the single digits.

A lot depends on what kind of precipitation they get. Low is generally good with a little murkiness. IT CAN GET MUDDY QUICK IF YOU DONT PAY ATTENTION TO THEIR WEATHER REPORTS. My best hybrid out of Thomas hill was 13 pounds with lots in the 5-10 pound range. i liked the pearl white bomber fat free shads in the medium to large size. Can't remember the size number of the crank.

Crappie can be fair but you have to weed through some small ones.

Winter basin can be excellent. Caught a lot in the 3-5 pound range while fishing hybrids.

It is very kayakable. Most of the best fishing is near or close proximity to the hot water outlet. Shad school up and hybrids and everything else follows.

If the bite is on the number of hybrids you can catch is crazy.

Good luck!