This fishing report is provided by TWRA Creel Clerk and huntfishbuddy
DOUGLAS LAKE FISHING REPORT – by Gary Loucks
23 February 2012
WATER CONDITIONS
Water elevation is 953.11 feet as of 7:00 PM, 22 February 2012. This is a .01 foot increase in depth from the 15 February 2012 measurement of 953.01 feet. Average surface temperature for the week is 47.63 degrees averaged across the lake. Water clarity has been good for the most part of the week on the main channel and stained on all creeks.
SUMMARY:
Largemouth and smallmouth bass activity has increased since the last reporting period. Possibly the slight warming of the water has sparked life in Mr. Bass. Crappies have been very active and angler successes have been good. There have been many more throw back, undersized crappies caught than usual for Douglas Lake. This is, however, an excellent indication that the fishery is healthy. Those non-keepers of today are tomorrow’s fish for the creel. The recent warm weather, rain and the advent of pressure systems coming and going will no doubt affect fishing successes in the next few days.
LARGEMOUTH & SMALLMOUTH BASS: Good
Prime times to fish are early morning and later in the afternoon through evening and night.Try top water approaches in the early morning and evening if the surface is calm. Fish deeper during bright sunlight conditions which would be noon until mid afternoon.
Some good lures to try are plastic worms in dark colors and in the six inch lengths. Green plastic lizards tossed against bridge piers and rocky banks have been productive. Chartreuse spinner baits pulled along rocky banks parallel to the shoreline will work for sure. A particularly interesting and successful top water lure is the chug bug. Use a moderate retrieve with the 2.5” chug bugs. Largemouth activity has been good downstream and around the curve in the river from Walters Bridge. Some nice smallmouth and largemouth have been taken in the immediate area of the mouth of Indian Creek.
WALLEYE: Good
Fishing has been good at all periods of the day. Walleyes have been the prominent fish of angler interest on the upper river system since its early emergence onto the scene a month ago. Fish the bottom of river channels and the mouths of creeks. Focus on underwater structure such as rocks and stumps on the river channel itself. Locate deep holes and use jigging techniques or allow current to carry jig heads into and through holes.
Use hard jerk baits or Zara Pups, green Plastic Grubs, Hair Jigs and Lead Heads with feather tails. Green Lead Heads have been particularly effective in current if allowed to bounce along on the bottom mud. Try the main channel at point 18, Walters Bridge and above point 20. Focus on the center of the river channel above the Leadvale ramp. Fish the junction point where the Nolichucky River joins the French Broad. All the water above Swanns Marina is productive. This information is unchanged from last week’s report and remains solid, verified information.
CRAPPIE: Good
Crappies have been biting very well and anglers are experiencing good success through this reporting period. Many reports of anglers catching a disproportionate number of non-keepers is verified. This phenomenon shouldn’t raise concern as the large number of undersized fish is indicative of a very healthy fishery. The keepers are there. It is shown through creel analysis.Tube jigs, 1/32 ounce hair and feather jigs of various color, minnow or jig and bobber adjusted to just off the bottom all will work well. arger fish appear to be holding in the deeper water. Fish muddy points and all quiet water along any rocky shoreline. The shoreline just above Swanns Marina is particularly good for crappie. Indian Creek, Flat Creek, McGuire and Muddy Creeks are all producing well. Don’t overlook the Leadvale ramp area on the shoreline. The right side shoreline of Muddy Creek near the entrance to the creek from the lake has been producing well.
16 February 2012
WATER CONDITIONS
Water elevation is 953.01 feet as of 8:01 AM 15 February 2012. This is a .42 foot drop in depth from the 09 February 2012 measurement of 953.43 feet. Average surface temperature for the week is 46.75 degrees averaged across the lake. Water clarity has been good for the most part of the week on the main channel and stained on all creeks.
SUMMARY:
Crappie activity throughout the week has been good. Good Crappie action has been enjoyed on all creeks throughout the lake system and along the shorelines and cove mouths of the main lake. Walleye fishing has been good on the upper reaches of the lake. Largemouth Bass catches have not improved since the last fishing report. As reported last week – anglers have been having better success, it seems, catching Smallmouth Bass.
LARGEMOUTH & SPOTTED BASS: Fair.
Largemouth and spotted bass catches have shown no appreciable improvement since last report. Rapidly changing water temperatures and water levels are the suspected culprits. Mornings and evenings are still the best time to fish. Fish deep and all the way to bottom during the entire day. The stained water conditions in creeks dictate the use of slower fishing methods in deeper water. Again, the best producing lures are dark in color for the heavily stained water. Colors in purple, black, dark reds and chartreuse do well across the entire lake. Spinner baits in chartreuse, or any of the above colors, with gold blades work well. Lures that create noise such as rattle traps are a preferred lure in muddy water. Use smaller worms, six inch lengths, and dark colors. Slow retrieves will produce more hits with plastic baits. Good areas to try are Flat & Muddy Creeks. McGuire Creek has yielded some nice largemouth this week. The Swann’s Marina area is still providing some action, as has the shorelines of Indian Creek. Areas near points 18 and 6 have been productive last week and are still good bets for this week.
SMALLMOUTH: Good.
Fishing is good in morning and evening and moderate during afternoon hours. Fish deep water with crank baits, dark colored lizards and worms 6 inches in length. Plastic grubs on lead head jigs will also be productive. Dark blue or chartreuse spinner baits with gold blades have been catching fish. A slower retrieve with plastic baits is recommended. See largemouth data. Productive areas have been near points 17, 14 and below and just above Walters Bridge. The above areas are the same as last reporting period and remain productive areas this week.
WALLEYE: Good.
Fishing has been good at all periods of the day. Walleye continue to bite hard this week. They have made themselves available early this season and continue to be a prime focus for anglers. Really good walleye activity is prevalent this week from Swann’s Marina upstream to the confluence of the Nolichucky and French Broad Rivers. Fish the bottom of river channels and the mouths of creeks. Focus on underwater structure such as rocks and stumps on the river channel itself. Walleye seem to be holding close to the bottom but, fish all the water. There is no better time to capitalize on, and enjoy the walleye experience than the present. Try hard jerk baits or Zara Pups, green Plastic Grubs, Hair Jigs and Lead Heads with feather tails. Green Lead Heads have been particularly effective in current if allowed to bounce along on the bottom mud. Try the main channel at point 18, Walters Bridge and above point 20. Focus on the center of the river channel above Leadvale ramp. Fish the junction point where the Nolichucky River joins the French Broad. All the water above Swann’s Marina is productive. This information is unchanged from last week’s report and remains solid, verified information.
CRAPPIE: Good.
The crappie fishing throughout the lake has improved drastically since last reporting period. Rapidly changing water levels last reporting period kept crappie at bay and elusive. The more stable lake conditions this reporting period have painted a very positive picture for the crappie bite.Tube jigs, 1/32 ounce hair and feather jigs of various color, minnow and bobber adjusted to just off the bottom all will work well. Fish muddy points and all quiet water along any rocky shoreline. Fish mud flats and any bottom areas that contain stumps for cover. Indian Creek, Flat Creek, McGuire and Muddy Creeks are all producing extremely good catches. Many, many crappies are being caught on Nina Creek but, the bulk of the fish are throw-backs. Don’t be disappointed in this phenomenon as those many throw-backs are next season’s trophies and they indicate a very healthy fishery. Don’t overlook the Leadvale ramp area on the shoreline. The right side shoreline of Muddy Creek near the entrance to the creek from the lake has been producing well.
09 February 2012
WATER CONDITIONS
Water elevation is 953.43 feet which is a 2.25 foot drop in depth from the 2 February 2012 measurement of 955.68 feet. Average surface temperature for the week is 49.4 degrees averaged across the lake. Water clarity has been good, for the most part of the week, on the main channel and stained on all creeks.
SUMMARY:
Crappie activity has improved since last reporting period. Good crappie action has been enjoyed on most creeks throughout the lake system and along the shorelines and cove mouths of the main lake. The greatest element that has affected fishing success for this reporting period is the frequent, rapid rising and falling of the water level throughout the lake all week long. Walleye fishing has been good on the upper reaches of the lake. Largemouth bass successes have been less than desirable throughout the lake. Anglers have been having better success, it seems, catching Smallmouth Bass.
LARGEMOUTH & SPOTTED BASS:
Fair.
Largemouth and spotted bass are remaining a challenge to angers. Mornings and evenings are still the best time to fish.
Fish deep during the entire day. The heavy stained water conditions dictate the use of slower fishing methods in deeper water.
Again, the best producing lures are dark in color for the heavily stained water. Colors in purple, black, dark reds and chartreuse do well across the entire lake. Spinner baits in chartreuse, or any of the above colors, with gold blades work well. Lures that create noise such as rattle traps are a preferred lure in muddy water.
Good areas to try are Flat & Muddy Creeks especially where slide areas are prevalent. The Swann’s Marina area has been producing action as has the shorelines of Indian Creek. Areas near points 18 and 6 have been productive last week and are good bets for this week.
SMALLMOUTH:
Moderate.
Fishing is fair morning and evening and moderate during afternoon hours.
Fish deep water with crank baits, dark colored lizards and worms 6 to 8 inches in length. Plastic grubs on lead head jigs will also be productive. Dark blue or chartreuse spinner baits with gold blades have been catching fish. See Largemouth data.
Productive areas have been near points 17, 14 and below and just above Walters Bridge. The above areas are the same as last reporting period and remain productive areas this week.
WALLEYE:
Good.
Fishing has been good at all periods of the day. The walleye section of this report has, for the most part remained unchanged accept for the fact that the Walleye bite is really on. Really good Walleye activity appears to have arrived early at the upper end of the lake.
Fish the bottom of river channels and the mouths of creeks. Focus on underwater structure such as rocks and stumps on the river channel itself. Walleye seem to be holding close to the bottom.
Try hard jerk baits or Zara Pups, green plastic grubs, hair jigs and lead heads with feather tails. Green lead heads have been particularly effective in current if allowed to bounce along on the bottom mud.
Try the main channel at point 18, Walters Bridge and above point 20. Focus on the center of the river channel above Leadvale ramp. Fish the junction point where the Nolichucky River joins the French Broad. All the water above Swann’s Marina is productive.
Crappie:
Good.
The rapidly changing depths of the lake have made crappie fishing difficult over this report period, however, increased successes are noted over the last reporting period with both white and black crappie being caught in better numbers all over the lake this week.
Tube jigs, 1/32 ounce hair and feather jigs of various color, minnow and bobber adjusted to just off the bottom all will work well.
Fish muddy points and all quiet water along any rocky shoreline. Fish mud flats and any bottom areas that contain stumps for cover. Rip-rap and floating debris at the back of channels will usually have crappie under it. Indian Creek, Flat Creek and Muddy Creek near points B and D have all shown the best potential for success this week. Nina Creek and point 16 are good crappie waters. Don’t overlook the Leadvale ramp area on the shoreline.
