Fishing without pads at Deer Trail

Oct 09 2012

John E. Harvey

Fingerling

Member Since :
2008
Number of Posts :
90

Arrived at Deer Trail Ranch about 8 AM with frogs on the line to take on a vast field of lily pads. WOW, they're gone! A vestage here and there but the pads are no more and the few that remain are sparce and wilted. Caught fish though, about 40 plus and harvested 18. Nothing real big, but losts of 2.5 to 3.5 lb. healthy fish. Even those we harvested were well formed, just not over 14 ins. Most were caught on plastic and in a small spot on the lake, glad we found the spot! Left the lake about 12:00. Stopped in Sulpher Bluff to have George flip a burger for us and headed back to Big D with smiles on our faces and glad to have been able to spend such a fun morning.

Posted By: John E. Harvey

Oct 09 2012

Steve Alexander

Keeper

Member Since :
2010
Number of Posts :
415

Hi John,

I was out there on Monday. I’m sure you noticed the removal of the reeds around the boat awning and the launch site. It has all been re-worked to make getting boats in an out of the lake much easier.

We have also reached our harvest goal at Deer Trail for the year. Thanks for taking us over the top.

Oct 09 2012

Phillip D. Chapin

Slot Fish

Member Since :
2005
Number of Posts :
227

steve, i am curious as to where lilly pads went

Oct 10 2012

Steve Alexander

Keeper

Member Since :
2010
Number of Posts :
415

I was at Oakwood lake Leon a week ago and they are slowly dying back. Same thing at Deer Trial. With water temperatures in the upper 60’s to low 70’s this will happen. Seems a bit early, but my best guess is that they are beginning to go dormant. We did not treat them chemically.

The pads begin to emerge about mid April and are in full swing by mid May.