Caught fishing with Bink yesterday.
The lake level is 571.98 and has dropped 1-3/4 inches in the last 24-hours with generation about 2/3 the time. The surface water temperature is in the mid 80's and the water is clear. Fishing overall is just fair with the stripers going deeper and the top-water bite slowing way down in the morning. Some fish are on the shallower brush piles, some on main lake points at the 23-ft. thermocline, some on the old lake shore before the rise, some in open water on shad and some stripers just on the bottom doing nothing and a few bass coming up at sunrise for just a bit. Catfish are biting on limblines, jugs and trotlines back in the creeks on live bait. Bait up just before dark to keep the turtles and herons from taking your bait. Cut bait is cheap but is not catching much. It looks to be very busy out there this week and I will be glad when it is over. The lake is in good condition for boating, swimming and fishing but the high water will make it tough for day users. Launching, swimming, camping and parking will be severely restricted. It is best to stay at a resort and use their dock and parking whether you rent a boat or bring your own. Make sure the place you stay has a swimming pool, dock and rental boats. Many do not. Some try to pretend they have boat rentals but are just actually sending you to a marina and have none. Many others do not have a dock and also send you to a marina to park your boat. You have to be careful. There will be lots of law enforcement out there and needs to be to keep everyone safe. Do not come on vacation and leave on probation. Many have.
