Missouri Lakes Fishing Report

Lake - Stockton 06/07/07

Walleye: If I was looking for walleye, I would begin my quest in the area around the twin bridges. I would troll small deep diving crank baits back and forth under the bridges. Get as close to the concrete pillars as you can, and let the plug deflect off of the cement. This is one trick that has been successful for my clients in the last week.

Another technique is to start at the back of large main lake coves and slow drift or slow troll a jig (1/4 oz + depending on wind) and minnow. There will be a weed line about 10 feet deep, approximately one cast from the shore. Find the weed line on your sonar and fish the outside of it. These fish get in the brush and when the bait goes by, they’ll fire out and grab it.

On sunny bright days, I would fish secondary points in these large coves with the jig and minnow technique in about 25-35 feet of water. This has been very successful for my clients in the last several days. Fish are also being caught above the 215 bridge and off of the main lake points in the area of State Park.

Early and late these fish will be shallow, anywhere from 1 foot to 15 feet of water. When they get up real shallow, the only presentation is to fan cast the shoreline with a jig (no minnow cause it flies off) in white or chartreuse.

Largemouth bass have completed their spawn, so I would begin by fishing shallow early and late along the shore of secondary coves with anything from Buzz Baits to shallow running crank baits. Shallow running crank baits are effective because they run just above the submerged brush. Bass lay in the dark shadows of the submerged brush and will fire up as the plug goes overhead.

Try ripping a weedless crank bait across the top of the brush as well and you’ll catch fish. Top water early and late has been good in these same locations. Due to the fact that the lake is 4 feet above normal pool, fish will be spread out so the best approach is to cover as much ground as possible.

My clients have been catching decent bass (3-5 pounds) during the middle of the day off of structure in anywhere from 15-25 feet of water. Plastic worms, Carolina lizards or jigs work best in these locations. Color hasn’t really been that big of a deal, but you can experiment and see if one produces better than the other. Bass fishing has been superb from one end of the lake to the other, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find fish if you cover enough ground.

Crappie: The best crappie fishing is on deep, isolated cover (25-35 feet deep). Jig and minnow is your best bet. You’ll need to spend time with your sonar to find these deep, out of the way crappie beds. When you do, the majority of your fish will be well over 10 inches. Remember a rule of thumb: it’s like finding a big buck…you have to hunt where they live.

Night fishing is starting to pick up well in these same areas. Hold your boat over the crappie bed with the trolling motor and if your buddy makes a lot of noise by stomping on the bottom of the boat, make sure he does that long before you start to fish. This is very critical. Most people think that they have to whisper to keep from spooking the fish, but it’s the stomping on the bottom of the boat that causes the big problem.

It is interesting to note that I have clients who will wait to get over the cover to begin slamming compartments on the boat. If this happens, you need to move. Center your efforts around the Masters boat ramp.

Catfish: channel cat fishing is good as usual on Stockton. Since the water is up in the brush, a boat is the only way to go, unless you fish some of the grassy shores around the various campgrounds. Secondary points in around 15-20 feet of water are where the fish are hanging out. Night crawlers have been the best for me, but chicken livers, chicken hot dogs or the gross smelly stink baits all work well too.

White bass are not as hot as they should be, but you can find fish if you cover enough water. Deep diving small crank baits or chartreuse and white Rooster Tails will catch fish when you find them. Main lake points are the best places to look. The fish haven’t really started breaking the top yet, to any real degree, but I always a rod loaded with a top water plug, like a Pop R.

It doesn’t really matter what kind of plug you use, if you can find them busting the top, they’ll grab anything. I expect this year to be a super top water bite like the last two years, but that hasn’t really produced yet like I expect it to. For real fun, when you do see them busting the top, use 2 white or chartreuse plastic trailers on a hook only, one tied above the other, and you’ll catch two at once. Do this in front of your friends and they will think you are really something on the proverbial stick. Plus it’s a blast to catch 2 highly agitated 3 pound white bass at the same time.

Guide’s tip of the week: If you love water moccasins, you’ll be glad to know that they are everywhere. For you bass fisherman who like flipping and pitching in the brush, like I do, keep your eyes on the trees and also the back of your boat. These little buggers want to get in your boat by climbing up the transom. I have watched them many times. They go right for the tail end of your boat, and if they get in the ventilation holes, no telling where they will end up.

Marty Thompson
Thompson Fishing Guide Service
www.fishstockton.com
417-424-BASS