Fishing Report July 17

This fishing report was compiled for the week of July 15, 2013

Editor’s note: This week is a little disappointing. We knew we were going to be on the water, and we wanted to be able to put you right on the fish. However, the weather had other plans, and it managed to raise the water level in all of our reporting lakes except for Greenbo Lake. While this may for a short time cripple the fishing in our reporting lakes, we have chosen to report what the fish were doing right before the heavy rains. We expect our lakes to return to normal very shortly. We will keep you posted. 

Cave Run Lake: Cave Run at press time was about five feet above summer pool. It is dropping about .2 feet a day. We are looking for it to be back to summer pool in another two weeks, if more rain doesn’t cause more problems. Musky: The muskie fishing is reported fair this week as water temperatures fell into the high 70s. More anglers are electing to fish at night or during the low-light periods where water temperatures dip even further. Spinnerbaits, topwater, and bulldawg type baits remain productive.  Largemouth Bass: With the water levels high, the bass have been slow. As water levels return to normal we should see this change. White Bass: We are getting no reports of white bass catches. If you happen to catch some white bass on this lake drop us a line and tell us about it. Crappie: We are starting to get reports of anglers night fishing under lights with moderate success using live minnows at 18 to 25 feet. Catfish: Catfish have been active this week and continue to be producing. Jug fishing and limb-lines both have reported good catches.

Grayson Lake: Rains have stained most areas of this lake. Water levels rose up about three feet in recent days and turned upstream  areas muddy, while the temperature has dropped. The influx of water has hurt all but the catfish. Bass: The bass fishing is reported slow with some fish being caught on Texas-rigged worms fishing points during the low-light periods early and late. We also had reports of some angler’s fishing at night but they reported little success so far. Crappie: Fair to good, fishing swim jigs around down timber and brush piles. Crappie fishing is improving at night fishing under crappie lights using live bait. Catfish: Improving fishing spawning areas with nightcrawlers and minnows. Catfish are also spawning in the river.

Greenbo Lake: Unchanged, however, even this lake has become a little stained this week. Bass: The bass are reported to be in summer patterns and many anglers are starting to fish this lake at night with Texas-rigged worms and jigs dressed with swim minnows. Trout: Fair, trout are showing up fishing with live bait and small spinners in the heads of coves.  Catfish: Good, fishing very early and at midday. Fish live bait, chubs, small bluegill and cut bait. Bluegill: We didn’t have any reports on the bluegill this week. If you had success, write us and tell us how you did.

Ohio River: The river remains the most difficult to report about these last few weeks as conditions have continued to change rapidly. July is usually one of the best periods for fishing the river and we will do our best to stay on top of the ever-changing conditions of the river. Largemouth Bass: Active fishing small spinnerbaits and buzz baits in the low-light periods. Below the Dam: Twin tail grubs on 1/4 oz. Ball jigs are still the best producers of Sauger and Walleye using slow bump the bottom retrieves. We also got reports that running a two jig setup has been producing better strikes. One of the two baits needs to be a little off the bottom. White Bass: Becoming active as they begin to chase shad. Some reports of schooling fish are starting to show up.  Bass: Above the dam has been fair and improving this week, using small buzzbaits fishing weeds and sandbar areas in the low-light periods.  Catfish: The Catfish have been active this week with reports of good catches in backwater areas using live bait.

Yatesville Lake: This lake was starting to get hot before this last round of rains. All of the Rich Creek area is very muddy while the main lake remains fishable. We look for the fishing to improve as water levels return.  Bass: The big news on this lake this week has been the continued topwater action. We have received reports of good catches using ¼ oz buzzbaits even in the middle of the day. We also had reports of bass being caught on shaky head jigs many coming as the bait was on the way up to the boat. Crappie: good. Fish the edges of flats in channel bends and old fish attractors using 32 oz. white crappie jigs or live bait. Bluegill: The bluegill have spawned for the second time this year. Some good catches were reported last week using nightcrawlers and crickets. Look for hard bottom areas in water about 8-10 feet. Catfish: The catfish have really been active this week. We got reports of good catches on both live bait and small spinnerbaits fishing coves with standing timber along with fishing flats with live bait just off the bottom.

Reports and pictures of your catch can be submitted to: trimmer308@windstream.net