I’m writing the report for Lisa this week due to an unfortunate circumstance. My heart goes out to her and her family.
Well, the water temp on our end of Beaver Lake and Holiday Island is in the mid 80s now, which means the stripers on Beaver are back on our end of the lake with most being caught from Starkey’s Marina to Rocky Branch in the deeper water off the bluffs and points.
Gizzard shad, brood shiners and sunfish are all catching them, along with trolling umbrella rigs set up with jigs and big swimbaits from 20 to 30 feet deep. You have to get below that thermocline where the bait’s running. You might see a little surface activity if you’re out at the crack of dawn – most are being caught before 9 a.m. or through the night.
Here at the Island, it’s been a different story. Took out Sherry McGarrah this week to teach her to swim and catch some fish. We caught bass and crappie with no problem (from 9 to noon) on minnows 10 to 12 feet deep in the treetops and sunken brush.
As far as the swimming, well she can dog paddle across the lake better than me now.
The walleye are back from the river, with most being caught from Houseman Access to here at the Island trolling 10 to 17 feet deep. Jigs and minnows worked off the bottom will catch them, too.
Another thing about here at the Island is you don’t have to be out before daylight to catch dinner, we’ve been mostly going out at 7 and in by noon to avoid the heat. A few trips are going out at 3 and in about 8 p.m. for the cool water bite upriver since they’re generating late in the afternoon. That water is moving the threadfin shad up past Beavertown towards the colder water, and the fish are following.
Trolling crankbaits from Houseman Access to Beavertown in the evening can put a bit of all in your boat. along with a trout or two. If you have no boat, bream can be caught pretty easy off the shoreline near brush on worms, and that makes kids smile.
Trout can also be caught off the shoreline from the dam to Houseman with power bait worms and jigs being the best bait off the bottom.
Well, guess that’s it for now, enjoy the water, be considerate to others and take a kid fishing before you let them swim. Really enjoyed sharing with you all again and all the past memories.
Robert Johnson Guide Service (479) 253-2258, fishofexcellence.com