stockton crappie

[Bayliner]

I've fished Stockton lake off and on for several years but always had mediocre cappie success. (is it me?). my question is what rating would you give this lake and should i just keep trying or move on ......What about walleye ?

[Dutch]

A lot of guys were talking about many short fish this past year.  
 

Where do you live?
 

How do you fish for them and what part of the lake do you usually fish?  I’m sure you can get some pointers from some of the guys here.

[Bayliner]

i'm from Joplin and thats why i'm not a regular. when i fish its usually mutton creek area. minnows and drifting is my style. i've bought a garmin high dollar livescope to help but am still learning its capacity. guess i don't know enough about alternatives when the bite is poor

 

[MrGiggles]

In the past Stockton has always been feast or famine for me. When you could find them, the average size was excellent and there was usually plenty, but if you couldn't, it was pretty tough.

This year, they are much easier to find, but the average size is way down. Expect to sort through a lot of dinks. 

This time of year, deep brush, and fishing in large schools of shad are productive.

Walleye are tough in the winter. Same deal with crappie though, find the shad and they are probably close by. I really only have luck catching them from March-November, they're easier to find in the summer when the thermocline confines them to the top half of the lake. 

To find shad this time of year, just follow the creek/river channels, and look for them on side imaging, split with 2D or down imaging in case you run right over them.

If you don't mind a further drive, I recommend checking out Pomme, the crappie fishing there has been outstanding this year.

I have only had a boat and been fishing there for 3 1/2 years, and am only now starting to piece together a somewhat reliable pattern together.

I would send some spots, but I'm not real familiar with the Mutton creek area, if you want to take a boat ride closer to the dam PM me and I'll send you some brushpile locations.

[Dutch]

1 hour ago, Bayliner said:

i'm from Joplin and thats why i'm not a regular. when i fish its usually mutton creek area. minnows and drifting is my style. i've bought a garmin high dollar livescope to help but am still learning its capacity. guess i don't know enough about alternatives when the bite is poor

 

There are brush piles on most points, banks and coves.  You can find the Conservation Department listing of their brush piles, put them on an sd card and load them into your unit.  I’m not a real crappie guy so my advice may not be worth much but most of the crappie that I have caught have been above the Y highway bridge.  I’ve not done well between there and the dam.