The current Lake level is 704.66 with the water temperature in the high 40's.  The lake is dangerously low while the Dam is being worked on and could possibly reach lower levels. It's been a crappie fishing bonanza, as they have reached the winter pattern along the bare bank bluffs. Casting an 1/8th ounce jig near the bank and working it SLOWLY back to the boat has produced several fast limits of nice crappie.  This pattern should continue until March when they head to the spawning coves. Mike Edwards from Shelbyville, Illinois came down for the annual Thanksgiving Crappie-thon.  Mike and I have been doing this for about 9 years and this had to be the best ever.  Two limits (30) each day in about 3 hours.  We started at 9 and were back at the dock by 12:30.  It was  a real blast.  A few days we had to hide from the wind, but still caught our fish in the 3 to 3 1/2 hours. I'll be cutting back this winter, beginning in November

The current Lake level is 704.73 with the water temperature in the high 50's.  The lake is dangerously low while the Dam is being worked on and could possibly reach lower levels. White bass are still in the shallows feeding on shad on the windy points and backs of the coves.  Best bait is a inline spinner like a Blue Fox cast within inches of the bank.  Small Shad Raps are also a good choice.  Watch out because there may be a hybrid up there too. It's been a crappie fishing bonanza, as they have reach the winter pattern along the bare bank bluffs. Casting an 1/8th ounce jig near the bank and working it SLOWLY back to the boat has produced several fast limits of nice crappie.  This pattern should continue until March when they head to the spawning coves. I'll be cutting back this winter, beginning in November to catch up on the lure making.  My old bones are getting to the point they need a vacation, so this winter I'm going to

The current Lake level is 704.62 with the water temperature in the low 60's.  The lake is dangerously low while the Dam is being worked on and could possibly reach lower levels. Hybrid fishing came to an abrupt halt for me and the white bass became real spooky. We had to make very long casts for the bigger whites and then they were gone.  With the cold temperatures and higher winds, look for the whites on the wind blown banks.  Baits would include, rooster tails, Pop"R's and Shad Raps. Most of my trips have been for crappie, which we have found in 15-18 ft of water right on the bottom dragging minnows.  Should be time to switch to jigs on the bare bank bluffs and some of the deeper timber areas.  I would think 18-20 feet would be ideal. I'll be cutting back this winter, beginning in November to catch up on the lure making.  My old bones are getting to the point they need a vacation, so this winter I'm going to try and

The current Lake level is 704.80 with the water temperature in the low 70's.  The lake is dangerously low while the Dam is being worked on and could possibly reach lower levels. This has been a pretty good month so far with the hybrids and white bass. It was a strange week as if the sun was out the fish were on fire, but if it was cloudy, should have stayed home.  All the fish were caught in less than 20 feet of water on a  1 ounce green and white "Hot Dog" jigging spoon.  We were casting as far as we could because of spooking the fish if up to close, and hopping it back to the boat.  Once the "feed" began we could slowly retrieve the spoon and get a good hit.  Most of our hybrids were in the 6-7 lb range with one or two 8-9.  Lots of White bass also running with the hybrids. I have seen a few limits of crappie at the cleaning station at Sterett Creek Marina, but

The current Lake level is 704.99 with the water temperature in the low  80's.  The lake is dangerously low while the Dam is being worked on and could possibly reach lower levels.  My understanding is, the historical low is 661.0 recorded November 14, 1978.  Of concern should be the ramp areas as well as the navigation in and out of the ramp areas. Crappie have been on fire this month. Many areas, from brush piles to shallow flats, have produced limits of crappie.  Most caught on minnows in 16-18 ft of water  about 12 feet deep. Lots of 8 63/64th inch fish this year and just enough of them to get you a ticket if you get checked.  Best advise is to get a plastic Crappie Checker and make sure that tail when held together is OVER the 9 inch mark, for those who keep them.  That size fillet will fit on a cracker okay.  Having said that, this means we are looking at a great 2023 spring season of good size fish.  I've been

The current Lake level is 709.61 and falling with the water temperature in the mid 80's.  Needless to say with the falling lake level and the heavy current, it's been a wild week with the Hybrids and white Bass. Tom and Cindy and Randy Brady, from South Dakota, spent three great days catching and releasing Hybrids, Whites and Catfish.  We kept the walleye.  Randy was the fish checker to make sure they were able to return to the water and gave them a lick for good measure.  I wish I had a video of him when someone had a fish on, because he is a real helper on the rod.  He grabs the cork on the rod and pulls.  We had lots of fish and lots of laughs and that's what it's all about. Ron  and Kim Bailey, caught and released several nice hybrids caught on spoons and sassy shad.  It got pretty hot so before we came in they took a little dip in the lake. The whites and hybrids are busting shad just

With the lake at 717.20  and falling, the crappie have moved to deeper water  and the White bass and hybrids are on the feed.  The Kids are having a blast with the whites and hybrids. Sorry I haven't kept up with the weekly reports, but between guide trips, lure making and old age, I have fallen behind...I need a secretary...Lots of wind and rain have caused the lake to rise and be a sea of despair.  We have caught a lot of white bass and hybrids but struggled with crappie.  Funny how we have caught more crappie white bass fishing on 1 ounce hot dog spoons that we caught on jigs and just minnows. With the possibility of the lake starting to fall, we should see a positive current flow which will lead to better white bass and hybrid fishing over the next several weeks.  It looks like next week is going to be heavy winds 15-25mph and high temperatures in the mid 90's. Caught 8 Walleye this past week, fishing for white bass on

With the lake on the fall, 715.97  and falling, the crappie have moved to deeper water  and the White bass and hybrids are on the feed.  I ditched the crappie for the week in favor of Hybrids and whites.  Just about everywhere I looked, I found either one or both and they were hungry.  I hope it stays that way for a couple of weeks before they start messing with the dam schedule. White Hybrid jigs with pearl bodies and 1oz green and white "Hotdogs" were a deadly duo. With the lake falling the crappie have moved out into deeper water and are suspended at various depths with 18-20 being the catch depth.  Still jigs are the bait of choice but minnows are going to be looking good shortly. Rain is still in the forecast and boy, have the storms been rough ones.  Watch the skies and your radar on you smart phone and beat the storm to the dock.... That's it for now, but watch out for the other guy and remember your life

With the lake on the rise, 708.63 and rising, the crappie have moved to deeper water.  Water temp has cooled somewhat due to the rain, but the spawn is on and just moved deeper.  Jigs pitched near the bank and allowed to fall back to about 5 feet are picking up males, while fishing 10-12 deep are picking up females.  White and green chartreuse bodies on 1/8th or 16th oz jigs are producing good fish. This will be an add on report to April 28.  More to come