The lake level is 600.5 just about a half foot over summer pool. The Corp seams to be content leaving it there hopefully no huge rains. These last two weeks I have seen the water temps go from 54 to 72 then back down to about 59-61. Between the fluctuating water and the big cold fronts this has dropped the crappie back to deeper water. Those still clinging onto three-feet spawners are left puzzled.

I am and have been through this whole ordeal been fishing ledges 8-18ft. on stumps, cubes and brush. Close access to shallow water from Eagle boat ramp to RR bridge.

I have a client on each side of me fishing a drop-shot 5/8oz. weight on bottom and a little loop knot a foot above it and a number four tru-turn hook with a white or chartreuse 4mm bead on it. Just a little attraction. The heavy weight allows me to bounce around on a snag and get it to free itself. Then the biggest minnow I can put on it. I run 20lb. white K-9 braid down to a 15lb. Fluorocarbon leader so my loop knot will hang on the main line.

I am fishing my 1/4oz. Deep Ledge Jig in white and a Brushpile Dart in Peppercorn Pearl now that the lake has cleared up considerably. I flip ahead to structure pick up my jig on Livescope and bring it right across the top and watch crappie rise up and attack it. Instruct clients to do the same. Once those fish are caught we ease up and soak the baits right on top of them. Get the easy ones and then move and repeat.

Really helps to have thousands of waypoints for two weeks I have put my trolling motor in the water fish 20-30 spots take it out of the water and head back in with three limits in what ever kind of wind. Also helps to have big, heavy walleye boat used to be in the wind.

I will work harder on the walleye in the next couple of weeks.

Steve Welch
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