Summer has started off with lots of good trout and striped bass fishing. Trout and striped bass are both active. The water level is currently at 102,000 acre feet. The water level is dropping due to use. The water temperature has risen slightly to 71 degrees. Our water clarity is fair due to warmer temperatures. A good number of trout and stripers continue to be caught both from shore and from boats.

A nice 7.9 pound rainbow trout came out of South Cove on a Krocodile this week, and a beautiful 7.3 pound striped bass came out of Peninsula Cove on an anchovy.

We will be planting catfish sometime this month. Due to warm water temperatures, we have not planted trout since June 24.

Our hours through the end of August are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. with boats due in by 6 p.m.

TROUT

Trout are being caught in South Cove, Oak Point as well as around the lake. The baits of choice for shore anglers are garlic scented powerbaits, nightcrawlers or Kastmasters. Trout average a pound and a half but range to over 5 lbs. Light tackle is important for catching trout with 4-6 pound test being plenty. There are still a lot of limits coming out of the lake. We continue to have anglers catching significant numbers of fish.

Trolling is popular with anglers using Rapalas and other lures in the coves. From the shore, bait fishing with garlic scented PowerBaits and mice tails were the baits of choice. There is no need for line heavier than 6 lb test. A lot of limits and nice stringers have been seen coming out of South Cove and from past the Rock Wall. With more boats going out we have also seen a lot of fish coming in from all of the major coves, especially in the mornings and late afternoon. A nice 7.9 pound rainbow trout came out of South Cove on a Krocodile.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Most anglers were focused on stripers or trout. Some anglers have been working the shore around structure and several bass have been caught and released. Keep in mind that largemouth need to be 12 inches to be kept. Please release any big largemouth bass you might catch. They are the future of largemouth bass fishing in the reservoir. The reservoir is now full of excellent habitat for the bass so we anticipate this fishery to improve over the coming years.

STRIPERS

Shakers continue to be the main action with striped bass. We are seeing 15-20 undersized fish being caught for every keeper. From shore, cut anchovies or shad is the bait of choice. Just a reminder, stripers need to be 18 inches or more to be legal. Please release the small fish as quickly and carefully as possible. They are the future of our striped bass fishery. A beautiful 7.3 pound striped bass came out of Peninsula Cove on an anchovy.

CATFISH

With the warming water we are hoping to see a more active catfish bite start. For those wishing to target catfish, anchovy continues to be the best choice of bait. We encourage and appreciate the release of any monster catfish (15 lbs plus). This summer, once the water temperature increases, we plan on planting more catfish.