Barren in April ???

[RICHYD4U]

I would say it depends on the water level what kind of pattern the fish are on. Last year the water was up in the trees. Year before it was even farther up (I believe).

If we don't get much rain it may well be 5-10 foot below normal for that time too.

Good luck.

It sure was hard to get to them with that water way up in the trees! Hope we don't get that much rain this year. IMO

-Rich

[alycat]

Hi I have a tournament there at the end of march. We still have ice on the lakes around here. So as far as the lake is concerned. Would the water normally be clear, mudddy, stained?
IS there grass or mostly rocks and laydowns. Should I go up in the creeks or fish points on the main lake. This year we are also doing Nolan and Rough river. Any info would be appreciated.

[smashdn]

Hi I have a tournament there at the end of march. We still have ice on the lakes around here. So as far as the lake is concerned. Would the water normally be clear, mudddy, stained?
IS there grass or mostly rocks and laydowns. Should I go up in the creeks or fish points on the main lake. This year we are also doing Nolan and Rough river. Any info would be appreciated.

Barren gets drawn down 25 foot each winter as it is a flood control lake. Therefore there is no grass. You will find fish on points, ledges and on old wood. The banks are mostly all gravel or chunk rock and bluffs in places. What color the water will be will have everything to do with what kind of weather between now and then. As of two weeks ago it was a good clear green color. We havn't had a significant rain or snow since then. The lake is at winter pool now.

I can't speak for where to catch bass as I don't bass fish much. But I will say be carefull and good luck.

[alycat]

Thanks for the info it will give me a better Idea as to what to bring. Sounds like most of the lakes up here. So it should be a good time. Thats the beginning of our season and we 18 have tournaments this year. And I'd like to place better than 6th this year so I'm working hard at doing my home work on the lakes we're fishing. This is a great site I'm glad I found it while being snowed in for a few days last week. Alot of good info and great guys...

[DaveR]

To be in the top 5% I suggest you read a bunch, study topo maps more (even on the crapper if thats all the time you have) be on the water as much as humanly possible and your budget allows, keep logbook, and try not to listen to much dock talk, be versatile while concentrating on your strengths, and keep a keen eye for what you see others on water doing, but on't let it throw you, you need to know who's successful cause 90% of anglers aren't on the most productive pattern to win.

[DaveR]

Hi I have a tournament there at the end of march. We still have ice on the lakes around here. So as far as the lake is concerned. Would the water normally be clear, mudddy, stained?
IS there grass or mostly rocks and laydowns. Should I go up in the creeks or fish points on the main lake. This year we are also doing Nolan and Rough river. Any info would be appreciated.

No Grass that I know of, muddy to stained water. you've got a real mix of rock, gravel, clay/mud banks on barren. To win on mainlake you'll need to know which points and drops are productive bounce around on them rolling a big 3/4 oz spinnerbait. I like the drops around mouths of creeks, more mud/gravel than rock. Majority of fish will come from warmer water, but the mainlake can produce big largemouth and pretty much all of the smallmouth. There are big largemouth that live in creeks and river too though.

[alycat]

Thanks DaveR I have topo's of the lake and have already marked afew points where river channels and creek channels converge. I also keep an eye on the weather to see if it's warming or raining. I've also heard that the water level will be down to winter pool most of the spring into summer to work on the ramps at the dam. I'm fishing co-angler so I'm limited to the amount of tackle I can bring but I think I have all my bases covered. And my boater has fished there a few times. He has a few places in mind. we wil be pre fishing the day before so we will have an idea of whats going on. But it never hurts to have some info from someone that is there on a regular basis. Thanks again..