Fishing Report by TWRA Creel Clerks also found at huntfishbuddy
TELLICO FISHING REPORT – Charley Hensley
09 May 2013
WATER CONDITIONS
The predicted water level is approximately 812.2 feet above sea level.
The average surface temperature is in the mid 60’s.
The reservoir is mostly clear, with some mud stained areas around creeks.
SUMMARY:
The increasing water temperatures along with the rains we’ve had recently seem to have stirred up the baitfish, which also causes the bass and other predator fish to become more active. Minnow imitating crankbaits are catching some very nice bass in just about every creek on the lake. The other big news is the crappie. More and more crappie are congregating around submerged structure in just about every corner of the reservoir. Some very nice crappie are being caught trolling with flies and grubs. But, the biggest crappie are being caught in the submerged timber on minnows at about 15ft. White bass are hitting pretty good all over the lake. The white bass seem to like small crankbaits or any other small offerings, such as little inline spinners like rooster tails, and beetle spins.
Crappie
6-30 Feet
Improving
Crappie are still biting and the numbers are increasing. Submerged structure such as brushpiles and fallen trees are crappie magnets right now. You may have to fish as deep as 20 to 30 ft. for some crappie, but some are still biting around the 10 ft. level. Trolling small 1/8 ounce lead heads tipped with minnows is catching some of the bigger crappie. As always, the number one bait of choice for crappie is the minnow. Vertical jigging a minnow on a small leadhead seems to be the best method for catching congregated crappie in the brushpiles.
Walleye
9-23 Feet
Fair
There are some walleye being caught just below the old bridge trestles off of Hwy 129. About a mile below Chilhowee Dam, you can see the old bridge trestles, and the boat ramp is just before you get there. The walleye are being caught just downstream from the ramp. Big white bucktail jigs tipped with a minnow are catching some nice sized walleye. Chartreuse is also a good color choice. Bounce the jigs on the edges of the river channel and work them in the same direction as the current for best results. Sometimes you can find them in the flats area adjacent to the river channel. Pitch the jig up on the flats and work them back toward the channel.
Bass
2-12 Feet
Improving
Bass are moving back to shallower water and the shaky head worm and shaky head lizard are the top lure producers right now. Green pumpkin is the top color choice. Minnow imitating crankbaits, such as Shad Raps and Rattle Traps are really hot right now also. Sproe crankbaits are also good and seem to have a little different action than some other crankbaits, and bass do like to see a little something different sometimes. Creeks, branches, and small streams seem to be holding the majority of the bigger bass right now, especially if there are some downed trees or other submerged structure. Rocky points are another good place to look for bass. As the water temperature increases, so should the number of bass preparing for spring spawning.
White Bass
2-12 Feet
Good
White bass are starting to show up everywhere and make the spring run up the river and streams to spawn. These fish are very fun to catch and they are good to eat also. Just about any small minnow imitating crankbait or inline spinner such as a rooster tail or even beetle spins are good lure choices for these scrappy, hard fighting, good eating, fun to catch fish. Some of these guys can get up into the 2 pound range and those big ones can really pull. Lots of times, if you can find a school of white bass, you can catch them as fast as you can reel them in and cast out again.
25 April 2013
WATER CONDITIONS
The predicted water level is approximately 813.1 feet above sea level,
The average surface temperature is in the mid 60’s and rising.
The water is mostly clear, but still a little stained in some places.
SUMMARY
The biggest news this week is still the bass. Bass are showing up in huge numbers over the entire reservoir. The warmer water temperatures are causing bass to move back to shallower water for spring spawning. A few more degrees in water temperature should make a big difference in all types of fish activity. The increasing water temperatures along with the rains we’ve had recently seem to have stirred up the baitfish which also causes the bass and other predator fish to become more active. Minnow imitating crankbaits are catching some very nice bass in just about every creek on the lake. The other big news is the crappie. More and more crappie are congregating around submerged structure in just about every corner of the reservoir. Some very nice crappie are being caught trolling with flies and grubs. But, the biggest crappie are being caught in the submerged timber on minnows at about 15ft. Walleye are still biting around the Chota area off Hwy.129, below the old bridge trestles.
Crappie
6-30 Feet
Improving
Crappie are still biting and the numbers are increasing. The catch to keeper ratio seems to average; about 4 to 1, which means about 1 keeper to every 4 crappie caught. But, size should improve as the water warms a little more and triggers spawning. Submerged structure such as brushpiles and fallen trees are crappie magnets right now. You may have to fish as deep as 20 to 30 ft. for some crappie, but most are still biting around the 10 ft. level. Trolling small 1/8 ounce lead heads tipped with a minnow is catching some of the bigger crappie also. As always, the number one bait of choice for crappie is the minnow. Vertical jigging a minnow on a small leadhead seems to be the best method for catching the congregated crappies in the brushpiles.
Walleye
9-23 Feet
Fair
There are some walleye being caught just below the old bridge trestles off of Hwy 129. About a mile below Chilhowee Dam, you can see the old bridge trestles, and the boat ramp is just before you get there. The walleye are being caught just downstream from the ramp. Big white bucktail jigs tipped with a minnow are catching some nice sized walleye. Chartreuse is also a good color choice. Bounce the jigs on the edges of the river channel and work them in the same direction as the current for best results. Sometimes you can find them in the flats area adjacent to the river channel. Pitch the jig up on the flats and work them back toward the channel.
Bass
2-12 Feet
Improving
Bass are moving back to shallower water and the shaky head worm and shaky head lizard are the top lure producers right now. Green pumpkin is the top color choice. Minnow imitating crankbaits, such as Shad Raps and Rattle Traps are really hot right now also. Sproe crankbaits are also good and seem to have a little different action than some other crankbaits, and bass do like to see a little something different sometimes. Creeks, branches, and small streams seem to be holding the majority of the bigger bass right now, especially if there are some downed trees or other submerged structure. Rocky points are another good place to look for bass. As the water temperature increases, so should the number of bass preparing for spring spawning.
