They're releasing water

[chi0082]

Lots of people fishing. A variety of fish being caught. Lots of small crappie and small white bass and some catfish. A lot of amish people and other inconsiderate people that like to creep up on your when you catch a fish. It's combat fishing at it's finest. I believe the generation is up around 50,000 cfs so bring lots of lead and a long rod if you plan on fishing. Plan to lose a lot of jigs and lures on them rocks. Not many wipers are being caught. Mostly small ones. Did I mention a ton of people are fishing with tangled lines and evil stares if you cross someone's line or get too close to someone. Avoid this place, it's not like it use to be. Trash is everywhere. The game warden was out checking everyone's license and fishes so just a heads up if you go make sure you're legal.

[MoCarp]

I used to fish those tail waters often..crowds can be crazy! people can be... well rude and nasty there.... for what ever reason, was there once during the high water releases of the great floods of the 90's guys were bow fishing below the dam from the bank! shoot a fish and drop it in the rip rap never to see the light of day. not just them ether... people would toss the gar, buffalo, quill backs etc in the rocks the stink was incredable.......broken off line from guys using surf gear and 80# power pro made fishing interesting in the least....talked to a guy who roamed the rocks in low water conditions for old lead and then remelt it and cast new sinkers to sell on the bank..he was making a good bit that day!

we used steel head casting rods 10 foot, abu 6500c rocket reels with 15# berkley big game line,leave the braid at home guys... tossing 1oz- 3oz  shad head jigs and slap spoons (we cast our own) with half a sluggo for the tail..We caught everything.... my avatar is a 40 pound buff caught there, I have landed a 70# spoon bill on the same gear! talk about a work out in that current. sometimes you can get spooled! we brought lots of extra line!

its a great place to fish..during the week! got to make you own lures or you can spend a fortune, we would sell a few to pay our gas 

 

Blue (white cat) channels and flatheads, hybrid stripers, white bass and crappie, huge buffalo..and at the right time of year spoon bill and walleyes.....by rule you release all spoonbill there...we always would get a spoon or 3 on trips when they were running, they would test you tackle..shelled out many a lesser reel till we stuck with 6500s

a 30-40 pound buff, or a 15# hybrid  will bust a reel seat on a less well made rod as well.

when its right you can get your string stretched that only salt water fishing can rival

PS used to always get a giant burger at cowpatties, wonder if it still there??? back in those days was not many placed to get "fast food"

[MOPanfisher]

Them cow patty burgers were big rascals.  I haven't been there in a long time, don't know if still there or not.  I never noticed folks being rude as a rule, but walleye fishing was tough because of the heavy line that littered the area.