hight water?

I know what high water does to the river .But what does
it do to the fish in the lake, I’m talkin on pool 4 ?
THANKS

Fishing on the lake has been very good. Bass and walleye. I’ll be doing reports on both species tonight or die trying!

You can’t die yet !!! I’m not done with you

What is the water quality on the lake right now. Upper end above the Rush and then down the lake further.

Thanks,

Bear

Hey Bear

Water clarity is good but there is A TON of floating debris ranging from full trees to the pesky floating weeds. Not impossible to deal with but a consideration… particularly when motoring from one spot to another.

Fishing today was excellent. Many, many fish on the plus side of 20″ with the largest taping a tad over 25″. Numbers are very good too. 30+ legals today I would guesstimate.

Trolling cranks in 8′ – 12′ of water produced today. # 5 Shad raps and jointed raps. Trolling speeds between 2.5 – 3 mph.

Good stuff. Come on up!

oh good … I thought you were not with us any longer James… sounds like you did good today, was that on the lake or the river? I fished most of the southern part of the lake from below Maple Springs all the way up to Maiden Rock today… got some decent bass but had to work for them, not fast action for sure… they weren’t as agressive as I’d think at this time of year… Water temp 66 on the south end of the lake, marked some water up to 69 (surface temp). Water up towards maiden rock was 56.

Ah yeah…. those reports I’d do or die trying? I just flat ran out of time and I get home to 2 minor emergencies and more e-mail than I can answer in 3 nights. Oh well. I was from Pine Creek north up in to the river. A very good bite took place today right in the middle of the day. We had a sequence of fish that went 23.5″, 21″, 22″, 21″, 25″, 21″… or something pretty darn close to that. All in about 15 – 20 minutes. The rest of the day saw a good mix of 17″ – 22″ fish mixed in with about equal numbers of short fish. Lots of fun and steady action from 9 AM – 5 PM.

Dustin had a combo walleye / bass trip and he spanked the smallies pretty good just north of Maple Springs. He’ll have pics and report soon.

Thanks for the report James. Have all weekend free and you just gave me some good ideas where to start. Thanks again.

I also braved the high water and floating junk on Thursday. I’ll echo what James said: long lining #5 shad raps was the ticket for me. 75% of my fish came just south of Maiden Rock in 8-12 ft of water.

** Note to James and Dustin** The 15′ trolling rod took over 1/2 the fish — pounding the cranks off the bottom almost into the rocks and stumps. Kept the boat in 8-12 ft of water and ran the cranks back 150′, was making pretty consistant contact with the bottom.

Water temp was 62 in the lake where I was. I also fished the backwaters with no success, temp there was 56, but did pop a few smaller fish just off the main channel near the head of the lake.

Any particular colors seem better than others? Only have perch, firetiger, clown and crawdad. Should I pick up a few others?

We were out yesterday. We never went any deeper than 8′. All came on #5 shad raps firetiger and craw. Thunderstick jr.s were also good in the brown color. All fish ranged from 16-23″. All fish came off of sand. Don’t forget the backwaters. They are hot right now.

Here is some picture of the ramps on the south end..Water to crest Saturday about noon.. Is what I was told.
It is high.

Wabasha Marina 5-16-03 about 2:00pm

Roschen Park Lake City.

Hoksala Park at 1:30 pm on 5-16-03.

Great pics. Did you happen to look at Maple Springs? Was thinking about there in the morning.

Yea, James, I figured something must have come up on that report… didn’t figure you croaked on us just yet Glad to see your still with us thanks for the updates once again!

I’d watch out at Roschen Park. If your by yourself like I usually am and decide to wade out on to the dock and tie up your boat, take the pier on the right. The one on the left has a big hole before the pier starts and if you don’t watch your step you could end up all wet like I did last Sat.

guess what, the water’s still high at least it’s on its way down now.

Thanks for the pics Bud. Was out both Sat. and Sun. and we certainally have more river [more water]. ALOT of wood floating down river so be carefull. Thanks, Bill