jhoffman Posted May 29, 2008 Posted May 29, 2008 This is quite odd to me, so I hope someone can point me in the right direction. I live at the junction of two very popular streams in pa which run into a medium size lake. The lake has multiple species of fish and is ranked by the PA boat commission as one of the hot spots for largemouth in the state. Heres my delema. The two streams converge right below my house here and form the tributary which fills the lake. I would not consider it a river, not large enough. Anyhow, these smallies are not found in the lower section below the spring creek but above the confluence in the freestone stream from mid summer to late fall. Then... they vanish again. I have to believe they are going back to the lake. Theres nothing upstream and in fact the stream they run into freezes mid winter. The temperature is no different then the lake. The only thing I can think drawing them upstream is an abundent crayfish population combined with some dobson flies and stone flies. Why on earth are the largemouth not following them or why are the smallies leaving. The lake has an over abundence of panfish and I actually hooked some today fishing with my daughter that I have no doubt a large smallie could swallow. I can get my boat up the trib some ways but like I stated, they are just not as abundent below where the cooler spring creek empties in. When can i find these fish in the lake? What is your guess for them all LEAVING the lake, temps of the lake are ranging from 55 to 67 right now and they arent in sight. Thanks for any help. Jeremy Quote
jhoffman Posted May 30, 2008 Author Posted May 30, 2008 wow no one huh, guess you guys are as baffled as i am Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted May 30, 2008 Super User Posted May 30, 2008 They are following the baitfish. In the spring the baitfish move upstream to spawn, then may return to deeper water or just other areas. Find the baitfish, find the smallmouth, it's that simple. 8-) Quote
jhoffman Posted May 30, 2008 Author Posted May 30, 2008 I understand that, Ive found the baitfish, theres not a smallie anywhere to be found in the lake but go up stream, thats where they are. Ive NEVER seen one caught in the lake but they dont live in the creek year round. Quote
alarcher Posted May 31, 2008 Posted May 31, 2008 They're for sure in the lake all year. Like RW said "bass will follow the bait fish" and that's why you are catching them in the creek. I suggest you take all your bass tackle and hit the lake like a mad man for three to four solid days and you'll catch the smallies (I promise : ). Fish rocks and boulders and really target the smallmouth habitat and I know you'll be in business! Good luck and keep us updated after you fish it... alright I hear your wheels and doubts turning... FISH IT! THEY ARE THERE! Quote
jaystraw Posted May 31, 2008 Posted May 31, 2008 Yeah, I'm pretty sure they are just holding in some of the deeper structure in the lake during the summer. I fish a pond in VT where most of the smallies sit in a deep pool where 2 rivers converge and fill the pond. The smallies hang out 20-30 feet deep in this pool all summer. Quote
jhoffman Posted May 31, 2008 Author Posted May 31, 2008 98% of the bottom of this lake is mud. Ive been going 3-4 times a week since april. In the deep Ive caught walleye. Below the dam ive caught them, above the dam Ive caught them. The only place I havent tried is right on the dam itself. Anyone is welcome to come join me and prove me wrong, Id more then appreciated it. ;D Quote
jhoffman Posted May 31, 2008 Author Posted May 31, 2008 Oh I should have stated, this isnt a lake per say, its a man made resivour which is drained every year. Quote
jhoffman Posted May 31, 2008 Author Posted May 31, 2008 One more thing, at its deepest were looking no more then 20->30ft. Quote
alarcher Posted May 31, 2008 Posted May 31, 2008 The dam would be a great place to try for smallies! They hang in the rocks and rip rap, give that a try. The reservoir drains completely? and the walley keep returning when it fills? Those walley must hate that place. Anyway good luck in your fishing the dam, like I said the fish are there unless the water is toxic or has a dissolved oxygen problem. Quote
jhoffman Posted May 31, 2008 Author Posted May 31, 2008 The dam would be a great place to try for smallies! They hang in the rocks and rip rap, give that a try. The reservoir drains completely? and the walley keep returning when it fills? Those walley must hate that place. Anyway good luck in your fishing the dam, like I said the fish are there unless the water is toxic or has a dissolved oxygen problem. Correct, theres a stream channel running through it where most of the fish go. Its not completely drained but its about 1/8th the size when drained. Check it out on the map service... http://www.bassresource.com/maps/maps.html name: Foster Joseph Sayers Dam state: PA Quote
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