The elevation behind the dam on May 1, 2014 at 7 AM was 988.52 feet above sea level. Water temperatures averaged out to 64.8 degrees for the week, creeks combined with bay areas. Tailwater elevation is currently 869.09 feet.


SUMMARY:

Douglas Lake has provided excellent fishing over the past month with crappie being an enormous success as well as white bass. Walleye turned in a great showing across the lake with greatest concentrations occurring on the upper river sections. White bass as well provided excellent fishing on the upper river sections of the reservoir.


CRAPPIE: Good

There is not much change to the crappie section of this report. Crappie fishing continues to be excellent all over the lake but they may be a bit elusive to locate.

All the usual crappie hot spots continue to fish well. Swann’s Marina area (behind the marina), the bridge piers on the main lake as well as the shoreline downstream from Swann’s are all fishing good.

Try minnow and bobber, crappie flies, crappie spinners as well as trolling methods with minnows. Traditional methods are effective. Small Rapallas and jerkbaits have been used this week with great success.


SAUGER/WALLEYE: Good

Sauger and Walleye are still fishing good with Walleye the real performer of the two species.

Fish the holes and along the seams in fast water. There are no new tricks. Take advantage of the walleye’s habitat with green or red jigs fished deep or allowed to tumble along and across current.

Try shadraps, Rapala Husky Jerks, Redeye Shad, stick jigs and a variety of spinner baits. There isn’t really any secret lures here as most of the baits are traditional and effective for sauger and walleye.

Best fishing should be on the upper river from point 18 upstream to and above the Rankin boat ramp.

The following part of this report is unchanged for the most part. Largemouth as well as smallmouth are holding in deeper water and the recent heavy rains will promote turbidity across the reservoir and may affect fishing success.


BLACK BASS: Good

Largemouth and smallmouth have been targeted more and more and bass tournaments are now being held across the lake.

Lures used throughout the week have been varied with the plastic 8” worm, Carolina rig a favorite. Retrieves have been slow, very slow across the bottom. Bass are becoming more active as the water has warmed and are now active at all points across the lake..

Deep diving crank baits as well as spinner baits with gold blades have been effective. Dark colors are recommended and dark green is preferred. Smaller size spinner baits in greens and chartreuse are effective baits.
Fish, for the most part have been in deep water and have been lethargic. This is now changing.


WHITE BASS: Good

White bass are still “on” and can readily be caught from shorelines.
White bass can be found easily at almost any point on the reservoir with highest concentrations, obviously, on the upper reservoir.

Great fishing can be had from above Swann’s Marina all the way upstream to Rankin boat ramp.

Some great lures to try for white bass are the Rat L Trap crank bait which should work well under trolling conditions. Worden’s Roostertails for shallow fishing has been an old standby. The Road Runner Bucktails work well for deeper fishing.