The weather was absolutely beautiful when I got off work so I figured I best go fishing.The game plan was to try and find some yellows and walleyes.I had not had good fishing my last two outings so I decided to pack light and get away from the crowds I decide on trying a small rock reef on the north shore that has not been getting any pressure I am glad I gave it a try It took awile to find the location I wanted on the reef but when I did the action was steady
As you can see by the picture I did not have any company and I believe that was one reason I had decent fishing as the lake has been good fishing all winter and has been getting alot of pressure in the popular spots.I used a buckshot rattle spoon in green and silver tipped with a minnow head.I missed alot of hits as the fish were,nt very aggresive when the bite slowed I would let my jig set motionless for about 15 seconds and jig and that seemed to trigger a few hits. The total fish for the outing was 10 yellows 2 short walleye and many missed hits. I am looking forward to trying a few other out of the way places.
The size of the yellows has been very good the last few years and are really sought for there excellent table quality and willingness to bite.The bite has been good all winter with late ice ussualy being some of the best. It sure was great to spend some time on the water without having to be in the shack the rest of the week sounds great too hopefully I will have some updates
Thanks for the report Joe. Sounds like a good time on the water with warmer temps making it really nice. How deep were you fishing? Thanks, Bill
I was fishing around 10ft.I hope to get back to the same area for a sundoun bite as I think the area might be holding some walleye as well
I have fished the lake in the summer, but never ice fished it. Thinking about heading up Saturday to try to find the yellows. I don’t have a vex, so any ideas where I should try to get started? How thick was the ice?
Nate
The area north and northeast of the island has been good.The west areator is worth a try with the west side being the most popular also I just recently heard that the dodges point area was producing. The best tip I can give is move till you find fish there seems to be a bite going on someplace everyday .The ice was about 15in keep in mind there are areators in use and use caution in these area,s also the Dodges Point area can have changing ice conditions I would not venture any where you don,t see the locals Have fun let us know how you do
I would also reccomend keeping your bait within 3 to 5in of the bottom I should have included this info in my report my apoligys
I may sound stupid, but is a yellow fish. It doesn’t look like anything I’ve seen before. It looks like the cross of a crappie and sunnie?
Cody, I believe the yellows(yellow bass) are just a variation in strain of the white bass and striper family. They have taken off in growth and numbers in clear lake and a few other reservoirs in Iowa. They fight pretty well and are fun to catch, but can be detrimental to a fishery as they eat a lot and have fast reproduction rates. I have been able to catch them there on minnows/bare hook and jigging spoons before. Hopefully people keep going to clear lake and keeping them.
They are a relative of the striped bass.They don,t get near as big as the stripers with a pound fish being a trophy. They are excellent on the table as they don,t have the dark meat that alot of people don,t like about stripers. I like them on the table as well as crappies or perch.They also have a short life span of about 5 yrs max and have the capabilities of having large spawns which are nightmares for fisheries people.But when the conditions are right and they grow to a decent size they are sought for there excellent table fare
I don,t know what the chances of me and Fish Them All were of making a reply at the same time were but I duplicated alot of his answers.I would like to comment on the fact that you don,t have to feel quilty keeping as many as you want in my opion thats whats kept the fishery in check and allowed us decent sized yellows for a few years now
Thanks for the report Joe. I am looking forward to the weekend. Hope the fish cooperate. OUT…
You don’t have to feel guilty about keeping thiem at all. The game wardens and biologists at Clear Lake are more likely to frown if they see you put one back. This is one place were people want you to take home buckets of fish. (as long as they are yellow bass)
My brother and I went up last Saturday and fished the west aerator from about 2:00-7:30. We only got one yellow total. Has anyone been up there since then, how did you do?
Nate
I went tonite and got a few yellows and missed many they were just bumping the bait till sundown and then they got more agressive. I fished the north shore off from state dock in 10 ft of water and used a buckshot rattle spoon with a minnow head. I might have tried sizing down my bait and it might have helped on the yellows. I kept my jig size fairly large in hopes of connecting with some eyes. There is also a decent bite going on by dodges point use exteme care in this area as it can be change ice conditions rapidly I hope to go again tomorow its great weather
Anyone make it out to clear lake this weekend? How did you do? What were the ice conditions after the heat? I’m planning on heading up next saturday.
Nate
I fished yesterday and the ice was still decent the colder temps coming should firm it back up I don,t think I will be driving on .The fishing the past week has been good walleyes on the areators and yellows .The yellows have been biteing here today gone tomorow keep moving and you should find fish
Anything recently up there? Plan on fishing Dodges Point first thing Saturday morning at about 8:00 when I get up there. Figured if nothing was biting there, we would head over by the island. Not sure where we will go if neither of those work. I talked to a guy the other day who said that he was catching most of his yellows on wax worms. Do you guys use waxies up there much?
Nate