April/May Report

Water Temp: Cold front conditions: High 40's to 50's. Especially on warm afternoons. Backs of coves will warm up faster then the main lake, with some waters hitting 60 degrees near April's end.  Water warms faster on northwest coves facing the southern sky.

Water Clarity: Main Lake Clear to slightly stained.

Largemouth and smallmouth bass are staging on main-lake and secondary points leading into spawning coves.  Lucky Craft jerkbaits in Ghost minnow is accounting for many of our fish.  This is a "50 degree water temp" bait.  Set up a cadence and jerk this suspending bait aggressively.  Walleyes and pickerel will slam this jerkbait, also.

We are dragging a 1/4 ounce spider jig in sparkle smoke flake down the steeper drops and ledges with good success.  Make sure you drag the bait very slowly imitating an early season crawfish. Mizmo tubes in green pumpkin will also work well in these areas.  Find an underwater spring with warmer water and you may load the boat. The ambient water temps near these springs will be one or two degrees warmer then the surrounding water temps.  Reminder: All bass must be released until June 15th.

Walleyes are cooperating near rocky shorelines and secondary points.  Jerkbaits, rattletraps and motor oil grubs on a 1/8 head are taking walleye in 2 to 8 feet of water

If it's Northern Pike you are targeting, now's the time to use a large shiner under float towards the backs of major coves.  Fish from shore or from a boat. Patience is the key here and when a pike hits your minnow, let him run with the bait before setting the hook.  Some of the biggest pike of the year can be taken now with regularity.

Crappie fishing hasn't reached it's peak as of May first, but fishing will get hot the first few weeks in May.  Slabs are active around sunken brush piles and lay-downs.  They will migrate to shallow water in May. North Glade Cove and Sky Valley are safe bets for crappies as the spring sun warms the shallows. Try small fathead minnows under a float or a marabou or small tube jig in white. Many times the crappie will be suspended in the water column over the cover.

Anglers are reporting stocked trout catches in McHenry Cove, Penn Cove and near the State Park.  Spoons, in-line spinners and small jerkbaits will keep you busy.