The stormy weather has finally passed us, although mornings are still pretty cold with temperatures ranging from 40 to 50 degrees in the morning to 70 in the afternoon. Water temperature is around 63 degrees, which makes for great fishing conditions. Wind has been blowing around 5 mph. Fishing has picked up dramatically with many anglers catching limits, in fact, this has been the best week of fishing so far this year.

This week anglers have seen a lot of trout, some striped bass, catfish and even some salmon.

TROUT

Trout are biting on the south end, all the way to the dam. Most anglers are catching them on either Power Eggs or any Power Bait with a garlic scent. Anglers also suggest smaller jerkbaits, rapalas, Lucky Craft, or Kastmasters. Some anglers have been drift trolling using mice tails. Anglers have been catching trout from the East Beach, Narrows and all the way up to Heron Bay.

BLACK BASS

Black bass are thriving due to the recent rise in water levels. Look for fallen trees, weed beds and tulles. Wacky rigged senkos are pulling the bigger ones from 3 to 6 lbs. You can also catch them on plastic crawdads, jerkbaits, plastic worms, senkos or shallow to mid diving crank baits. Black bass are still in their spawning season, so if you do catch a bass, please carefully release them during this crucial spawning period. Most are staying in beds of shallow water.

CATFISH

Catfish are still on the prowl with anglers catching them on either chicken livers, sardines, mackerel or nightcrawlers. Most of the recent catfish brought in have been from 5 to 25 lbs. Catfish are starting to show up in better numbers as the water temperature continues to heat up.

STRIPED BASS

Striped bass are being evasive right now, with a few anglers reporting catches, averaging from 3 to 5 lbs. This week, an angler did get a whopper at 17 lbs. The best bet to catch them is either anchovies, chicken liver, sardines or mackerel. All reports have been from the deep rock walls by the dam.