SOUTHEAST
Water temperature is 73 degrees. Duckweed is thick on top of the curly-leaf pondweed beds, but not bad elsewhere. Black Crappie – Good: Try a small jig or a slip bobber and minnow in 7 to 8 feet of water along the outer edges of the curly-leaf pondweed beds on the northside of the lake. Bluegill – Fair: Most spawning beds are still vacant. Look for bluegills in a pocket in the curly-leaf pondweed beds or out in the trees down about 6 feet. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Find bass in the brush or outer edges of the weed beds; use soft plastics rigged weedless.
Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is 74 degrees. Water clarity is 7 feet. Black Crappie – Good: Try slow drifting and vertically jigging over the habitat and in about 12-16 feet of water. Trolling speed of about 1 mph works best. Bluegill – Fair: A few male bluegills are on the spawning beds; many remain out in 10-12 feet of water.
Lake Darling
Water temperature is in the mid-70s. Water clarity is good (50-60 inches). The water still has a a green cast. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers are catching crappies off of the brush and rock piles in deeper water by the dam. Bluegill – Fair: Some bluegills are returning to the spawning beds. Many more are staying out around the rock piles in 6-8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass fishing has picked up with the return of the females from deeper water. Best bite is early morning before it gets too hot.
Lake Geode
Water temperature is73 degrees. Water clarity is 5 1/2 feet. Water willows are making a comeback. Black Crappie – Good: Try vertically jigging in the habitat in 8 to 9 feet of water. . Bluegill – Good: Many spawning beds were reoccupied earlier this week. Use worm and a small bobber to avoid spooking the fish. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are looking for young bluegills and crappies to feed on. Find bass in tree falls and rock piles along the old haul road; shallow diving crankbaits should draw their attention.
Lost Grove Lake
Water temperature is 72. Curly-leaf is still in good health. Algae on top of it is getting fairly thick. Bluegill – Good: Anglers are catching bluegill along the outer edges of the flooded brush in 6-8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Good: Best bite is the first 2 or 3 hours of daylight or just as the sun starts to set. If you catch a calm no wind period, switch to topwater for the big splash.
Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)The river is stable at about half bank full. More than adequate water levels for boats. Channel Catfish – Good: Use cut baits and stink baits. Mulberries are starting to ripen; catfish really like to eat mulberries.
Yenruogis Pond
Water is extremely clear; you can see 11 feet down on a cloudy day. Water temperature is 74 degrees. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are still on the spawning beds. Use flyrods and poppers or ultralight rods and tiny jigs in this clear water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try topwater baits on the less noisy side. You can see the bass coming from a distance.
For more information on the above lakes and rivers call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.