Will there be fish here? And where?

[Preytorien]

I have received permission from a local church to park in their parking lot and access the headwaters of our local reservoir via kayak anytime I would like to fish. 

That said, the upper end of the reservoir is shaped like a "Y", with the two top arms of the "Y" being where two creeks feed into the lake.

This is a lake that's used for public utilities and therefore is always being drawn from. The upper ends are pretty shallow, rarely getting more than about 3 ft, and since the lake is constantly drawing, the headwaters haven't yet filtered and the water is VERY stained, in some places the clarity of chocolate milk. I don't think it tastes much like it though

So....is it even worth trying? I get pretty discouraged thinking of how to fish a very shallow very dirty part of the lake, albeit with nearly zero boat traffic. I'm not sure where to start, or if I even should.

[Turtle135]

Anyplace that gets little fishing pressure because the general public does not have access is certainly worth investigating. Off color water does two things that I can use to my advantage. The bass will typically be shallow and tight to cover. Also, if you have current and perhaps cooler, better oxygenated water flowing into the reservoir you may have found a summer gold mine.

I fish brown water all the time on the Tidal Potomac and have learned the lack of visibility does not slow the bass down one bit. I have some angling buddies who shy away from that type of water just because they can't get their mind around it. I get on that water and live with a black & blue jig in my hand. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

 

[JPascavage52]

Only way to find out is to give it a few shots and fish it, can't hurt right?

 

[MS662]

Most of the water I fish is basically 0 visibility and trust me shallow dirty water can have some great fish.  Black and Blue jig is one of my favorite muddy water lures. Best of Luck to ya

[Wayne P.]

Shallow-low visibility= Chatterbait

[scaleface]

3 minutes ago, Wayne P. said:

Shallow-low visibility= Chatterbait

and buzzbait .

[WRB]

With current flow there will be creek channels, baitfish in the area and bass, go give it try.

T-rigged 7" black-blue ribbon tail power worm with 1/8-31/6 oz bullet weight and glass bead is always a good choice.

Jointed floating original 4 1/2- 5" Rapala minnow gold black back.

Black jitter bug or the Pompadeur Jr, both make lots of surface disturbance and can stop without sinking.

Good luck, sounds like it would be fun.

Tom

[blckshirt98]

Don't worry about the chocolate milk, bass rely on their lateral line to locate prey more than their eyes, and, 3 feet is plenty deep for bass to hang out in!

[Gundog]

I'm thinking a wide wobbling crankbait in chartreuse color or a spinner bait with a colorado blade and a chartreuse/ firetiger colored skirt with a bulky trailer. Just my opinion.

[lo n slo]

i like the sound of that point where those two creeks enter the main lake, the Y in your description. gotta be some good ones hanging around that place. good luck.

[Team9nine]

4 hours ago, Preytorien said:

I have received permission from a local church to park in their parking lot and access the headwaters of our local reservoir via kayak anytime I would like to fish. 

That said, the upper end of the reservoir is shaped like a "Y", with the two top arms of the "Y" being where two creeks feed into the lake.

This is a lake that's used for public utilities and therefore is always being drawn from. The upper ends are pretty shallow, rarely getting more than about 3 ft, and since the lake is constantly drawing, the headwaters haven't yet filtered and the water is VERY stained, in some places the clarity of chocolate milk. I don't think it tastes much like it though

So....is it even worth trying? I get pretty discouraged thinking of how to fish a very shallow very dirty part of the lake, albeit with nearly zero boat traffic. I'm not sure where to start, or if I even should.

I know where you're talking about, and yes, do yourself a favor and fish it. Stay up that right arm where you'll launch. Not necessarily a ton of fish, but there are some nice ones up there that don't get near the pressure that the rest of the lake gets. Will take you a bit to figure out the best areas, but should be great fun. Bring a small stick for white bass, too, as they sometimes pile up in that creek.

-T9

[Preytorien]

I'll give it a shot. I used to live on the north end, somewhat close to where I'll launch, and we never caught more than a few bluegill. I'll kayak up the creek arm and see what lives there. Thanks!