Millwood Lake remains almost 14 feet (272.9 ft-msl now, vs. normal of 259.2 ft-msl) above normal pool with heavy current and wide debris fields. Trees, broken timber, logs, and vegetation grass mats are rolling in heavy current of almost 58,000 CFS of current, and navigation is hazardous. USACE closed all USACE boat ramps over a week ago, the Millwood State Park is still under almost 14 feet of water, and closed as well. We understand that USACE Beards' Bluff Campground is open. We have not been fishing Millwood Lake again this week due to these hazardous conditions, but have been fishing on Lake Columbia near Magnolia, in Columbia County.


On Lake Columbia, here is what we are finding:


Water level is approx 8-10" above normal, clarity is very good at 1-3 feet based on location. Water temperatures are running in the 62-66ºF ranges, under full sun.


Bass are paring up, cruising very shallow in 1-2' of water, and preparing for spawn most lake wide. Largemouth are fair to good up to 7 pounds each on Bass Assassin Shads, Senkos, Trick worms, Beaver Bugs, jigs, spinnerbaits, Rat-L-Traps, Squarebills, and chatterbaits. We have not observed Bass on the beds yet, but preparing them, running in and out of shallow pockets, in preparation, and cruising these areas in large numbers, and in pairs.


Best color of Bass Assassins are pumpkinseed, Silver Phantom, and Grey Ghost. Senkos and trick worms are working in black, blue flake, watermelon-red, crystal ice, and green pumpkin. Beavers and Craw bugs are working in green pumpkin-red or watermelon-red. Best color of jigs seem to be black/blue, black/purple, green pumpkin, or Texas Craw. Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits in shad or bream colors are working. Rat-L-Traps are working best in slightly deeper water areas, 4-8 feet of depth near spawning flats in sexy Chrome, Red Shad, or Red Chrome.


Hopefully the Corps of Engineers will have Millwood Lake lowered to near normal levels by next week, but that is pending inflow and outflow rates, and contingent upon the Red River level continuing to decline in elevation.