(2)Took a pretty good whipping on my April trip (10 days). I didn't fish every day but the days that I ventured to the spillway, my walleye success was not good. For the trip, I finished with five walleyes with the largest at 3 lbs. The weather bounced back and forth from thunderstorms, super high winds, and then suddenly jumping to 80 degrees. To boot, the Corp. of Engineers reduced the discharge rates progressively. Discharge rates upon arrival were 1640 cfs and by the time I left, 840 cfs. Each day that I went to the spillway, the water level had dropped 1-2 feet on the shores. This typically spooks the fish. They'll hunker down in the face of the dam or move to the deeper holes downriver. I fished during different times of the day and only saw minimal success from other fishermen. If I were a muskie fisherman, it would have been a fantastic trip. In three days, I caught 15 muskies (24-34 inches) with 8 bite-offs (I'm rigged with 10lb mono and Seagard braid). No match for the bigger fish so I wasn't thrilled about leaving hooks in so many magnificent fish.
Overall, again, meeting people was the best part of the trip. I spent most of my time putting the boat through spring cleaning and now she's ready for fishing in the lake during my upcoming May trip. I can't wait. Fishermen are hitting the crappie and the livescope crews are just crushing them!
I will be targeting walleyes in the north end of the lake initially. If the north end is too muddy, I shift to mid-lake and fish the flats, creek channels, and points to hopefully catch a few for the freezer (this is a harvest trip).
Stay tuned, and stay safe out there. During my last trip, a young man unfortunately lost his life on the lake. Thoughts and prayers to his family.
Tight lines,
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Partly Sunny 45°
Water: 41°
Overall Fishing: Slow
During my March trip, the discharge rates ranged from 880 to 860 cfs. Water release was equally released through each top gate (3). The toughest thing with spring fishing spillways (in my opinion), is determining the bite windows for targeted species based on the weather patterns and barometric fluctuations. Most times, I guessed right. On this trip (and others), it took time to find part of the bite. It was tough reading the water to guess where the fish would stage during inactive periods. My best guess is that the majority of fish moved downriver and straggler males were roaming but there were no population densities. My observation of catch rates during this trip was approximately 1 walleye per 2 hours for all fishermen present. The cold fronts slowed the bite even more but I limit myself to fishing 3-4 hour grids before taking a break in town to grab a meal and rest the old knees.
Highlights:
1. I found active fish close to the dam discharge early in the afternoon.
2. I found active fish downriver, not at dusk, but the moment it was dark.
I had my personal best catch of 5lb plus walleyes (8). All were released. I caught my personal best hybrid white bass that was close to 12lbs.
I had 8 days of fishing and averaged 2 walleyes and saugers per day (15 -16 inches) that were also released. Although I don't fish for them, I caught 11 small muskies (24-32 inches). Most importantly, it was good to see friends and hang out sharing fishing insights. It was tough fishing all around. The best fish were on large paddle tail baits.
Fishing is therapy...and it felt good.
Next trip: April 22, 2024. I hope to find a better bite!
During my March trip, the discharge rates ranged from 880 to 860 cfs. Water release was equally released through each top gate (3). The toughest thing with spring fishing spillways (in my opinion), is determining the bite windows for targeted species based on the weather patterns and barometric fluctuations. Most times, I guessed right. On this trip (and others), it took time to find part of the bite. It was tough reading the water to guess where the fish would stage during inactive periods. My best guess is that the majority of fish moved downriver and straggler males were roaming but there were no population densities. My observation of catch rates during this trip was approximately 1 walleye per 2 hours for all fishermen present. The cold fronts slowed the bite even more but I limit myself to fishing 3-4 hour grids before taking a break in town to grab a meal and rest the old knees.
Highlights:
1. I found active fish close to the dam discharge early in the afternoon.
2. I found active fish downriver, not at dusk, but the moment it was dark.
I had my personal best catch of 5lb plus walleyes (8). All were released. I caught my personal best hybrid white bass that was close to 12lbs.
I had 8 days of fishing and averaged 2 walleyes and saugers per day (15 -16 inches) that were also released. Although I don't fish for them, I caught 11 small muskies (24-32 inches). Most importantly, it was good to see friends and hang out sharing fishing insights. It was tough fishing all around. The best fish were on large paddle tail baits.
Fishing is therapy...and it felt good.
Next trip: April 22, 2024. I hope to find a better bite!
Partly Sunny 50°
Water: 37°
Glad that I have a tough chin! Five days of fishing, 2-2.5 hours fishing per day, and did not catch a single walleye! Caught a few 32-34 inch muskies, buffalo, etc. Saw several skilled old-timers out there and at best, only saw a catch of one walleye on average. In the end, no excuse, it just felt like I was a hair too early in planning my initial trip of the year. I skipped fishing on my last day and visited friends only to hear that there was a decent bite that was beginning to take shape.
March 11th is the next trip.j In the end, I don't think I did anything wrong...that's what makes it fun. I'll get at them next time.
Tight lines.
J
March 11th is the next trip.j In the end, I don't think I did anything wrong...that's what makes it fun. I'll get at them next time.
Tight lines.
J
Albeit slow, the muskies are rebounding in the lake. The teams that were stocking them learned that late summer releases resulted in low survival rates. Mike Mounce (retired) along with others decided to release stocking in October when the waters were cooler. This has resulted in very good and promising results! They aren't monsters yet but we're hearing of several catches in the 24-35 inch range. Reasonf or optimism for sure. They are, however, prolific in the dam (coming through the gates). Last year, I had 3 days that I caught 6-8 muskies during a 3-4 hour fishing grid in the evening.s For the record, I'm a walleye fisherman.
Beginning to see early reports of just a handful of walleyes and saugers in the spillway. Still slow but the fishing should begin to ramp up in the next 30 days. I prefer letting those females get in there and spawn although the fry survival rate is extremely low so if possible, we have to let the big girls go. Looking forward to trying my new jig color combos and stained plastics. I love catching fish on my lures, my terms, and it's a lot of fun although I don't catch as many as I'm capable of by fishing traditional techniques.
I will post the results from my initial trip and what I learned.
Tight lines,
Jigaroni
Beginning to see early reports of just a handful of walleyes and saugers in the spillway. Still slow but the fishing should begin to ramp up in the next 30 days. I prefer letting those females get in there and spawn although the fry survival rate is extremely low so if possible, we have to let the big girls go. Looking forward to trying my new jig color combos and stained plastics. I love catching fish on my lures, my terms, and it's a lot of fun although I don't catch as many as I'm capable of by fishing traditional techniques.
I will post the results from my initial trip and what I learned.
Tight lines,
Jigaroni
Happy New Year!
Well, rinse and repeat as another fishing season is about to begin. My first trip this year will be in mid-February. Being a glutton for punishment and a creature of convenience, I choose to fish the spillway to start the season. The better bite will be on the north end of the lake in the creek channels leading into the rivers. There are several contact points to access the river to begin searching for pre-spawn walleyes as the magic water temperature moves into the 39-43 degree range. Age limits long hikes walking the river channel looking for the bends and deeper holes so best of luck to those with strong legs and motivation.
According to my personal tracking spreadsheet, fishing will be 'poor' at best but I am partly responsible for my results. I typically fish mid-day when it's warmer or at dusk for a decent bite. The better bite occurs between 3:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m. It always sounds good to set an alarm for 2:30 a.m. and then roll over and shut it off when you look at the phone and it's 29 degrees. So I accept that I'll catch fewer fish.
The water has a tremendous flow at the moment (2,700 cfs). Last year at this time, we were averaging 1,700 cfs in outflow. The jig weights required to properly fish the flow will result in several snags due to the ledges in the spillway. Insight: Depending on how far out the ledge is on the bank, a good pair of waders and a 12-foot salmon or crappie rod spooled with a 10lb braid and an 8lb fluorocarbon leader is hard to beat. The walleyes will move to get out of the fastest flows which somewhat pins them to the ledges. If you can reach that ledge and present a small crankbait or plastic, snapping it periodically, you'd be surprised at the bite you can discover right at your fee (at dusk or night).
The best of luck on the water everyone. Time to start shaking off this cabin fever. Hope to meet a few of you this yea!
Jigaroni
Well, rinse and repeat as another fishing season is about to begin. My first trip this year will be in mid-February. Being a glutton for punishment and a creature of convenience, I choose to fish the spillway to start the season. The better bite will be on the north end of the lake in the creek channels leading into the rivers. There are several contact points to access the river to begin searching for pre-spawn walleyes as the magic water temperature moves into the 39-43 degree range. Age limits long hikes walking the river channel looking for the bends and deeper holes so best of luck to those with strong legs and motivation.
According to my personal tracking spreadsheet, fishing will be 'poor' at best but I am partly responsible for my results. I typically fish mid-day when it's warmer or at dusk for a decent bite. The better bite occurs between 3:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m. It always sounds good to set an alarm for 2:30 a.m. and then roll over and shut it off when you look at the phone and it's 29 degrees. So I accept that I'll catch fewer fish.
The water has a tremendous flow at the moment (2,700 cfs). Last year at this time, we were averaging 1,700 cfs in outflow. The jig weights required to properly fish the flow will result in several snags due to the ledges in the spillway. Insight: Depending on how far out the ledge is on the bank, a good pair of waders and a 12-foot salmon or crappie rod spooled with a 10lb braid and an 8lb fluorocarbon leader is hard to beat. The walleyes will move to get out of the fastest flows which somewhat pins them to the ledges. If you can reach that ledge and present a small crankbait or plastic, snapping it periodically, you'd be surprised at the bite you can discover right at your fee (at dusk or night).
The best of luck on the water everyone. Time to start shaking off this cabin fever. Hope to meet a few of you this yea!
Jigaroni
Displaying 1 to 10 of 670 posts
