Apr 26 2014
Bruce Prindle
Fingerling
Member Since :
2010
Number of Posts :
70
On Thursday I made my third trip to Rough Creek this spring and have developed a consistent pattern: I book a trip and the GALE blows in! White caps started from the south and shifted to the north, but in the gale we boated 30 fish before escaping the waves at 1.
Good fishing numbers but I am very concerned about forage in this lake. On trips in March and April (both before, during, and now after spawn), we saw a pattern. Most fish are very thin, more than just post-spawn. Atrophied bodies and large mouths point to a serious lack of forage. Lilly pads were back in force, the any fish we caught over 14” was unhealthy.
We caught plenty, but there wasn’t much to the ones we caught.
Apr 26 2014
Steve Alexander
Keeper
Member Since :
2010
Number of Posts :
415
Bruce,
As you noted the fish are at their thinnest right now. Post spawn and no bluegill spawn until the middle of May, there is limited forage. Once the bluegill begin to spawn (mid may) they will fatten up throughout the summer and fall and by October the females will begin to develop eggs. For most lakes where additional forage is not added, like Rough Creek Lodge, the bass are at their thinnest from late April through June.