Lake Rousseau

Lake Rousseau is an excellent all-around fishery. However, anglers should use caution when navigating the lake due to sunken obstacles. Over the summer months, spawning panfish will begin to congregate in the shallows, making them an easy target for anglers fishing live crickets and grass shrimp. If this doesn’t work, switch to earthworms fished on or near the bottom to try and hook a nice redear sunfish. Crappie are much easier to catch at night than during the day in the hot summer months. Drifting or trolling live minnows in the channel or jigging the deeper offshore structure will usually produce fish. Catfish are a great fish to target here, especially in the upstream portion of the lake or near the dam, where there is some current. Fishing chicken livers, gizzards, and stink baits on the bottom is a good bet. If the scent of your bait hasn’t brought a bite after twenty minutes or so, you may want to refresh the bait or relocate. Bass are the most targeted fish here, and this reservoir produces a lot of fish over eight pounds every year. This year is off to a great start with at least two TrophyCatch Hall of Fame bass (weighing over 13 lbs.) in Season 14, which began October 1, 2025. During the day, pockets of cooler water are sure to hold fish. Try fishing the deeper holes in the channel or the box-cut sides of the lock area. Target submerged structures, such as stumps or fallen logs, with plastic worms and imitation crayfish, or troll live golden shiners along the patches of smart weed.