The lake is 172.15 ft msl, high pool is 172 ft msl. The water temp is running in the mid to upper 40s. The very north end of the main lake is
muddy along with the feeder creeks. Both generators are running 24/7 causing a strong current and pulling a lot of muddy water into the lake.
Some interesting statistics recorded by the National Weather Service for our area indicates we received 40% of our total annual rainfall in just
12 days. There were only 83 days of measurable rainfall and 39 of those days the rainfall was less than ¼ inch. We had 282 days without a trace of rain.
As expected, the last couple three weeks with all the fresh water, rising lake conditions, cold water temperatures and strong winds have
resulted in very difficult fishing conditions across the board except for the Cat-fishermen. The Crappie have scattered from the main lake
river channel locations. The Blacks have "lockjaw" and the Whites are starting to move into the main river proper beginning their annual
"river run". The fishing has just been "down right tuff". Most of the die-hard fishermen have been taking advantage of the situation to catch
up on the necessary maintenance and repairs of their boats and tackle.
Once the lake stabilizes and the weather settles down, it should be a great season with plenty of water that we haven't seen in the last two
years.
Any day the Black Bass will begin staging and bulking up on food in anticipation of the spawn. Concentrate on the edges of the creeks, main
and secondary points, and the drains and ditches leading to the shallow spawning flats. All sorts of baits can be productive at this time: jigs,
spinner baits, traps, soft plastics, finesse baits, cranks and jerk baits. The Crappie will also start bunching up and moving into the creeks heading to the spawning areas. Work the creek bends and points with shiners and jigs. The Whites are already moving into the river proper with plenty of water in the coves and sloughs. Work the flooded sloughs, creeks, and the main- river eddies with traps, Road Runners, slab spoons, crank baits and live crawfish.
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Greg Crafts
Toledo Bend Guide Service & Lake Cottage
159 Toledo Forest
Shelbyville, TX 75973
936.368.7151
www.toledobendguide.com
gcrafts@bigfoot.com