The weather this week has been superb, temperatures in the mid 80s to low 90s with only about 2-4 MPH winds. The water temperature is sitting at a warm 74 degrees and the water clarity is sitting about 8-10 feet. The best bet for fishing is going to be either catfish or stripe bass. With the warm water the bait fish are rising; which means the stripes are rising with them. Top water action has started; we've seen many schools of stripers boiling chasing shad on the surface. Most of the boils seen have been early mornings and late evenings but we have seen a few throughout the day. Anglers have still been catching them on anchovies, chicken liver, or sardines out at the dam.

Catfish have been turning on with the recent plants. The most recent was 7/6/16; we received 750 LBS of catfish. Most anglers have been catching them in the lower narrows around all the fallen trees and weed beds. Best baits to use would be anchovies, mackerel, or nightcrawlers. We do also recommend fishing in the upper narrows as well.

Black bass are showing up more often with the warmer water. More anglers are catching them on crank baits and jerks baits instead of roboworms, senkos, or jigs. You may also catch them on top water lures near Thule patches and weed beds.

On 7/7/16, we trotted the lake specifically targeting Smallmouth Bass. We caught 6 Smallies ranging from 0.75-1.5 lbs., most of them in Swallow Bay along a shoreline with structure and cover. The fish were caught between 10:15 AM and 2:45 PM. A seventh didn't stay hooked. The fish were caught with Panther Martin spinners trotted 10-15 feet below the surface in a 20-25 foot water column. Scent applied to the lures probably helped the fish to strike. The Smallmouth bite keeps escalating as the summer progresses. They are definitely worth pursuing--a truly great game fish!