Walk-in-Water

Bluegill (bream) and redear sunfish (shellcracker) are still biting on crickets and red wigglers near shore at the bullrush and cattail stands but will slow as temperatures drop. Many anglers are now targeting black crappie (specks) instead. Fishing for specks should be excellent over these winter months. Using live Missouri minnows, Hal flies, and small spinners in open water should all produce fish. If the open water bite is not on while you’re on the water, try trolling the same baits along the edges of the ample emergent vegetation this lake offers. Florida Bass fishing is also picking up. Shoreline vegetation including bulrush, cattails, and Kissimmee grass should be holding bass, especially when they begin to spawn. Live wild shiners are producing, and plastic worms, weightless jerkworms, and suspending jerkbaits are the artificial baits of choice for the winter months. The full moon in January signals the beginning of the spawning season, with big bass getting on the beds through April. The north end of the lake (around Walk-In-Water Creek) seems to hold a lot of fish of all stages during this time of year. Some are spawning in the thick bulrush offered here, while others are in their pre and post spawning stages feeding heavily in the sparse off-shore bulrush. Try using plastic lizards, crawfish, tube baits, worms, and frogs to catch these fish. As the water starts to warm, try throwing a black and blue bladed jig or a speed-worm around the shallow vegetation to get the attention of bass that are there to feed. The seven recently refurbished fish attractor sites should be concentrating plenty of quality fish for anglers looking for “offshore” opportunities this season. These sites use mossback artificial trees of varying sizes to provide structure for fish to congregate and anglers to target. These sites are located strategically around the lake and are marked with orange and white buoys. Each location has a total of 40 trees scattered around the centrally located buoy. Recent electrofishing surveys of the refurbished fish attractors revealed that multiple sportfish (bluegill, specks, and bass) of all sizes as well as forage fish (shad and shiners) are using these areas and their numbers are expected to increase as we move into the colder months. For more information on the location of fish attractors visit the interactive fish attractor map found on our website. And don’t forget, there are plenty of TrophyCatch quality bass swimming here. During recent electrofishing surveys, multiple bass larger than 8 pounds were tagged and released, with several over 10 pounds, so be on the lookout for tagged bass. Tags are yellow and located on the back (dorsal) of the fish. If you catch a tagged fish, remember to remove the tag. You will need it to collect your $100 reward! Have fun out there, and tight lines!