Summer is well underway with lots of good trout and striped bass fishing. Trout and striped bass are both active. The water level is currently at 100,000 acre- feet. The water level is dropping due to use. The water temperature is around 72 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.

We saw quite a few large trout this week. There were two over 10 pounds, a 10.58 and an 11.79 pounder. A couple of 5 to 6 pound fish were caught as well. A 9.84 pound trout was caught on a nightcrawler.

The Interpretive Center is open from 9 to 4 on Saturdays and Sundays.

TROUT

Fishing for trout continues to be good with the cooler weather and regular trout plants. They 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 was a 2000 pound plant on Wednesday, July 15th. We are waiting for the water temperature to drop so we can plan our next trout plant. Trout are still being caught all over the lake in good numbers.

Trolling is popular with anglers using Rapalas and other lures in the coves. From the shore, bait fishing with garlic scented PowerBaits and Kastmasters 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. This was a better week for whoppers with a number of fish coming out of South Cove on Kastmasters and Rapalas. There were two fish over 10 pounds, a 10.58 and an 11.79 pounder. A couple of 5 to 6 pound fish were caught as well. A 9.84 pound trout was caught on a nightcrawler.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Most anglers were focused on stripers or trout. 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. There has been an increase in reported 22-26 in fish being caught.

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). We should be planting catfish this week or early next week.