Warsaw/Upper End Condtions

[Ealy]

I’m curious with the lake being low, what are the conditions on the upper end? Thinking about putting in at Warsaw and running downstream for the Big Bass Bash. Is this sketchy to run right now?

[fishinwrench]

Below 657.0 you really need to be familiar with where the channel is.   

Navonics is off in a few areas......Not by much, but enough to get you in trouble.

[Ealy]

Any particular stretches or mile markers to pay extra close attention to?

[fishinwrench]

3 hours ago, Ealy said:

Any particular stretches or mile markers to pay extra close attention to?

It changes with every hard discharge. I don't get up there often enough, so it's a new area every time I get up that way.     

 

[fishinwrench]

Somebody didn't listen 🙄 

[jdmidwest]

That upper end is a mess.  Could not find a way thru the stumps up there last fall.

Now, a buddy has a place there.  Gonna have to take my lumps and learn it.  Stick steer jet boat may be what I take next time.

Why is it low now?  Working on the dam?

[fishinwrench]

3 hours ago, jdmidwest said:

Why is it low now?  Working on the dam?

No, Ameren's biggest concern is keeping milfoil from growing around million dollar homes and docks, so they draw the lake WAY DOWN in the winter, let the shoreline freeze....and then keep it as low as possible until Memorial day weekend.   

Aquatic vegetation can't survive the winter drawdown, and that keeps property values as high as possible.   City folks with big money think hydrilla and milfoil is "yucky".   🙄 

Back when UE managed the lake we had glorious milfoil beds....and the fishing was off the charts. I miss those days 😢

 

[Ealy]

We ended up putting in at Wigwam Access near Ivy Bend near the 65MM. Going downstream from there was no problem as long as you watched the map and stayed in the channel. I wouldn't recommend running up from there unless you really knew what you were doing. I heard of 2 different boats having to be pulled off of flats in a foot of water Friday and Saturday. The amount of spoonbill boats sitting in the channel from there up to around the 55MM was crazy. 

[DADAKOTA]

I'd much rather have coontail than hydrilla or milfoil.  There are some spots on the lake that have water willow beds that seem to always hold some fish.