Missouri Lakes Fishing Report

Lake - Stockton 05/07/05:

Main Lake: Still some fish on beds in the backs of spawning pockets, look for them to be close to any cover, wood, rock etc., that is in the pocket. White tubes, green pumpkin lizards and creatures are all catching fish. Early and late a few fish are being caught on flukes and Fin-S-Fish in the deeper pockets and points around the State Park. Your best bet for post spawn smallmouth is to move out on main lake pea gravel points and drag a Jewel 5/16 oz pro spider jig in Missouri Craw with an Orange Marmalade Chomper 4" jig trailer.

Above the bridges: Most of the beds up the river seem to be vacant, it appears the spawn may be almost over in the river arms. Best bet is to fish main lake and secondary points with either a Carolina rigged Chomper's needle worm in green pumpkin or a Jewel 5/16 oz. spider jig in brown with 4" green pumpkin Chomper jig trailer. Work both presentations slowly across the point from 6' - 20' deep paying close attention to any rock or wood cover. There is a buzz bait bite early and late as well with most of the fish coming on secondary points or small pockets.

Walleye fishing has been hit and miss still fish being caught on live minnows drifted below floats on main lake points and swings and on crawler harnesses trolled near the dam 20' - 30' deep but both the size and numbers of fish has dropped in the past week.

Crappie are still being caught, the biggest issue is the number of fisherman fishing for them, it is hard to get onto some of the better spots later in the day and on the weekend, live minnows, 2" grubs and squirts are all working well.