Are white bass done?

[jay bird]

Bill,

Do you think that the cold weather is going to be the end of the white bass or do you think they will make another run when the water warms back up?

[Bill Butts]

Jay Bird~

I've heard this question quite a bit in the past week, it's a logical concern after the fast warm-up (too fast too early) we experienced in March.

Last year the runs were not good due to extremely low water in the rivers and lakes. In fact, the worst I've seen in over 30 years of chasing those crazy fish in the spring.

But, this year is very different primarily because we have good water. All the lakes of the Ozark Region are near or above normal power pool levels. Many of the rivers have great water flow, a few excessive, but a few have gradually become less-than-ideally low, though not critical.

My opinion at this point is that the cold snap we've experienced has reset the clock as far as timing of the runs. We may actually now be just a little behind the usual development of the runs, but not much. Water temps in several well known rivers had reached as high as 70* by the end of March, which was unusually early. All the water temps I've taken in the past week or had emailed or called to me have been around the 55* mark. Once we get 60* or warmer water in any river, I predict it will absolutely break loose with great fishing. My records indicate that the heaviest spawning activity in this region usually occurs when the water temps are mid-60's.

By the way, I had reliable reports of good fishing for White Bass (and a few nice Hybrids) last week when it was so cold......the North Fork of the White in MO, the upper IL River above Tenkiller Lake in OK, the Upper White above Beaver Lake in AR, and the Little Sac just north of Springfield (No, none of those particular fishermen are OA members).

With some cool nights still ahead this week, and signficant rain in the forecast for Friday, some fisheries will probably get some extra water they don't particularly need (SW MO and NE OK), but NW AR is in need of the rain to stimulate their runs. Bottom line is, the rain is an unknown factor at this point but once any river warms up and clears up (if muddied) next week you better be ready for some hot action.

Hope this provides some understanding, and hope for the coming days.

Bill

[Dutch]

I have been in on several good days and am expecting a whole lot more though they may be post spawners down stream a bit.

[troutchaser]

Caught 8 in half an hour on Fellows Lake Tuesday evening. Used a 1/64 oz. white jig with a 3" silver curly tail.

It was cold and it started raining, so I gave up.

[Zach Bearden]

Ive been fishing in the coves here on Lake Tenkiller and they just started coming in and were catching them from the bank then the snap just come in and killed em... Well when we get this rain the other guys are saying youll have a 5 gallon bucket filled with em in 10 mins and you get tired of fishing in 2 lol! (dont think I could ever Get tired of catching em!) but theyre providing excellent fun on a popper and real light weight tippets...

[SilverMallard]

You tell me...

This was our biggest of many from yesterday.

[Wayne SW/MO]

What lake were you fishing SM?

[Guest flyfishBDS]

Dam end of Beaver white have been back on (but Im stuck in the store) should be good fun as it warms back up this week

Cheers

Steve