National Hunting and Fishing Day to be Celebrated Sept. 27

AUSTIN, Texas — Hunting and Fishing Day in Texas and across the nation is slated for Sept. 27 and every outdoors person is encouraged to extend a natural invitation to family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to step outside and share the values and the fun of the outdoors.

That invitation is being extended to Texans on Oct. 4-5 during Texas Parks & Wildlife Expo at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s headquarters complex.

A wide range of activities will mark Hunting and Fishing Day nationwide sponsored by sportsman’s clubs, conservation groups and civic agencies. Texas Parks & Wildlife Expo, while scheduled for Oct. 4-5, is working toward the same end, introducing the young and old to the outdoors.

Dozens of outdoor-related events will be ongoing throughout Expo, including demonstrations, adult and youth shooting, casting clinics and demonstrations, youth fishing derby, seminars and others.

Texas Parks & Wildlife Expo is designed to create public awareness to the importance of hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation; focus public attention on the contributions hunters, fishermen and other outdoor users have made to preserve the abundant wildlife and natural resources of Texas; inform new generations of Texans about the history of hunting, fishing and the outdoors; and underscore the critical role of hunting, fishing and the outdoors in wildlife management and conservation.

At the urging of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Congress designated National Hunting and Fishing Day on the fourth Saturday of every September as a public reminder that good conservation depends on hunters, anglers and shooters. In fact, through licenses and excise taxes, these outdoor enthusiasts generate $100,000 every 30 minutes for fish, wildlife and habitat programs.

In Texas, hunting and fishing contribute more than $14 billion annually to the state’s economy, according to data in the 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.

Findings from the report indicate the economic effect from Texas hunters, anglers and wildlife watchers was estimated to be $14.4 billion

Hunting and fishing play an important ecological role by managing wildlife populations and creating a healthy environment.

It has been more than a century since America’s first environmentalists — hunters and anglers — established the conservation tradition in our nation. These early environmentalists warned that the population growth and industrial development that offered prosperity for our nation also created serious threats to the future of our wildlife resources. Hunters and anglers fought for the laws and regulations that created a new system of wildlife management that would rescue many species of wildlife from near extinction and would set aside millions of acres of important habitat to help ensure future wildlife abundance.

In Texas, efforts by anglers helped create protection of red drum and other aquatic resources from commercial over-harvest, as well as conservation of aquatic habitat such as seagrasses and the control of invasive exotic aquatic vegetation.

New East Texas Fish Hatchery Construction Underway

JASPER, Texas — Construction of the new $27 million East Texas Fish Hatchery, expected to be completed in early 2010, is now underway.

The state-of-the-art facility on 200 acres just below Sam Rayburn Reservoir will replace the 70-year-old Jasper Fish Hatchery and provide at least 45 acres of fish production ponds capable of delivering up to 4.5 million fish annually for stocking in Texas public waters.

A groundbreaking ceremony near the site of the fish hatchery water intake structure was held on Wed., Aug. 27.

“Once operational, this new hatchery will have the capacity to more than double what’s currently produced at the outdated Jasper Fish Hatchery. This will help meet the growing needs of our recreational angling community,” said Phil Durocher, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department inland fisheries director. “We applaud the generous support of Texas anglers, who stepped up to the plate to help fund this critical project through the purchase of the Freshwater Fishing Stamp, and our partners.”

In addition to stamp revenues, Jasper County in 2004 donated 200 acres of land for the hatchery and the Lower Neches Valley Authority has agreed to provide 10,000-acre feet of water from Sam Rayburn Reservoir for hatchery operation.

Also, Temple Inland provided easements to accommodate the county road as well as all site utilities and water conveyance lines. The U.S. Corps of Engineers will provide easements to accommodate the facility water intake station.

“Texas freshwater anglers are the largest single constituency Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has,” noted TPW Commission Chairman Peter M. Holt. “More fish in more places equals better fishing, and that benefits the quality of life in this state.”

HDR FishPro handled the design and programming contract for the East Texas Fish Hatchery and ALLCO, Inc. of Beaumont has been awarded the construction contract.

In addition to the production ponds, the hatchery complex will feature a 34,000-square-foot production building and an 8,200-square-foot administrative building, which will office 24 TPWD employees, including hatchery, aquatic habitat enhancement and fisheries management staffs, and game wardens.

Hatcheries comprise an important component of freshwater fisheries management at TPWD. Hatchery-reared fish are used to establish new populations, enhance existing populations, support research efforts, and maintain fisheries in small urban reservoirs where natural production will not meet anglers’ needs.

“This hatchery will add a greater degree of operational flexibility and increased production by about two million fingerlings a year,” said Todd Engeling, TPWD hatcheries director. “This hatchery will be used primarily for production of largemouth bass, channel and blue catfish and bluegill sunfish. It will also have the capability of producing striped bass should we need it.”

New Mexico Weekly Fishing Report - 8/26/2008

Lake levels — Click here for the latest water storage reports from New Mexico reservoirs.

 This week’s stocking report

August 26, 2008
This fishing report has been generated from the best information available from officers and anglers. Conditions encountered after the report is compiled may differ, however, as stream, lake and weather conditions alter fish and angler activities.

Catches of the week

Abiquiu Lake: On August 21, Jose M. Bustos, Jr. of Pojoaque caught a 29.5-inch, 8-pound 12-ounce walleye. He was using a bottom bouncer/worm rig and fishing the upper end of the lake.

Ute Lake: On August 22, Bob Lechel of Los Alamos caught a 5.2-pound smallmouth bass. He was using a top water lure.

San Juan River: On August 23, Matt Pelletier of Albuquerque caught a 24.5-inch rainbow trout. He was fishing the Upper Flats and using a dead chicken.

Heron Lake: On August 23, Destiny Montano, age 6, of Albuquerque caught a 19-inch kokanee. It was her first fish. On the same day, her sister Shyanne, age 8, caught a 20-inch kokanee. Both fish were caught on trolling rigs at 25 feet.

Conchas Lake: On August 23, Randy Campbell of Albuquerque caught a 4.4-pound largemouth bass. He was using a tube and fishing in the evening hours.

Elephant Butte: On August 24, Carlos Mercado of Rio Rancho caught a 38-inch, 25-pound striped bass. He was using a large gizzard shad.

If you have a catch of the week story or just want to tell us about your latest New Mexico fishing experience, send it to us at fishforfun2@hotmail.com. We may include your story in our next report. For catches of the week include name, date, location, type of fish, length and bait used.

NORTHEAST AREA

CHARETTE LAKES: Trout fishing on the lower lake was fair-to-good using power bait, salmon eggs, hoppers and wooly buggers. The trout ranged in size from 13-to-18 inches. Fishing was good using worms for perch.

CIMARRON RIVER: Water flow near the town of Cimarron as of Monday was 19cfs. Trout fishing was slow-to-fair using yellow stimulators small spinners and salmon eggs. We had no reports from the Gravel Pit Lakes.

CLAYTON LAKE: Trout fishing was slow-to-fair using power bait and worms. Fishing for all other species was slow. The water was clearing.

CONCHAS LAKE: Fishing was very good using top water lures, crank baits, tubes, worms, brush hogs and jigs for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Most of the bass ranged in size from 12-to-13.5 inches. Fishing was fair-to-good trolling crank baits and bottom bouncer/worm rigs for walleye and white bass. Most of the good action reported to us took place on the north side of the lake. Night fishing was fair-to-good using liver, night crawlers, shrimp and dough bait for catfish. Fishing was good using worms for bluegill.

COYOTE CREEK: Trout fishing was good using salmon eggs, worms, hoppers and copper john barrs.

EAGLE NEST LAKE: Fishing from the bank and from boats was good using worms for perch. Fishing was fair-to-good on some days slow on others for trout and kokanee. Anglers did best trolling needlefish and Panther Martins tipped with corn or still fishing and using power bait just off the bottom.

HOPEWELL LAKE: Trout fishing was fair using salmon eggs and Pistol Petes under a bubble.

LAKE MALOYA / LAKE ALICE: Evening fishing at Lake Maloya was fair-to-good this past week using Pistol Petes, home made dough baits and salmon eggs for trout. Fishing at Lake Alice was slow.

MAXWELL LAKES: Fishing was slow.

MCALLISTER LAKE: Due to poor water quality, the lake will remain closed until further notice.

MONASTERY LAKE: Trout fishing was good using cheese bait, corn, salmon eggs and Pistol Petes under a bubble.

MORPHY LAKE: Trout fishing was good for anglers fishing from boats and float tubes and using spinners, Pistol Petes and power bait.

PECOS RIVER: Water flow near the town of Pecos as of Monday morning was 80cfs. Trout fishing was good here and on the Mora for anglers using salmon eggs, night crawlers, spinners, stimulators and hoppers.

RED RIVER: Water flow below the hatchery was 109cfs. Trout fishing was good for anglers using spinners, hoppers, copper john barrs, wooly worms, salmon eggs and night crawlers.

RIO GRANDE: The water flow Monday morning at the Taos Junction Bridge was 338cfs. Trout fishing in the Pilar area was good using hoppers, wooly buggers, night crawlers and spinners. Fishing for pike was good using large bunny leeches.

SHUREE PONDS: We had no reports from anglers this week.

SPRINGER LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species.

STORRIE LAKE: Fishing was good using grasshoppers, salmon eggs and power bait for trout. Fishing for catfish at night was good for anglers using night crawlers and liver.

STUBBLEFIELD: We had no reports from anglers this week.

UTE LAKE: Fishing for white bass was very good if you could find the schools. Best baits were top water lures, Kastmasters and Lytle Secrets. Fishing for smallmouth bass was good using top water lures, lipless crank baits and spinner baits. A few smallmouth and largemouth bass were taken on tubes and 4 inch worms. Fishing for catfish was very good for anglers using liver, dough baits and night crawlers. We had no reports on other species.

NORTHWEST AREA

ABIQUIU LAKE: Fishing was good trolling bottom bouncer/night crawler rigs and deep running crank baits for walleye. A few were also taken using tubes and curly tail grubs on brushy points during windy conditions. Fishing for smallmouth bass was good using top water lures, crank baits, tubes and jigs. A few catfish were caught by anglers using night crawlers and liver. We had no reports on other species.

ANIMAS RIVER: We had no reports from anglers this week.

BLUEWATER LAKE: Fishing was slow for catfish and trout but a few tiger musky were caught by anglers trolling in line spinners.

CANJILON LAKES: We had no reports from anglers this week.

CHAMA RIVER: Monday morning water flows below El Vado and Abiquiu were 593cfs and 813cfs respectively. Fishing above and below El Vado was fair-to-good using night crawlers, streamers and black Panther Martins for brown trout up to 19 inches. Fishing for rainbow trout below El Vado was fair using power bait and salmon eggs. Fishing below Abiquiu was slow.

COCHITI LAKE: Fishing was fair for anglers using top water lures, crank baits and chigger craws for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Fishing was fair using crank baits, minnows and spinners for white bass. Fishing was fair using liver, night crawlers and hot dogs for catfish. A few crappie were taken on small tubes and jigs fished in the deeper trees. A few small pike were taken by anglers using spinner baits, crank baits, top water lures and jigs.

EL VADO LAKE: Fishing was slow-to-fair using salmon eggs, power bait, spinners and night crawlers for trout.

FARMINGTON LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.

FENTON LAKE: Fishing was slow-to-fair using assorted colors of Pistol Petes, salmon eggs and power bait for trout.

HERON LAKE: Kokanee fishing continued to be very good using kokanee killers, Panther Martins, Double Whammies and Fish Creek spinners tipped with corn. Most of the fish were taken at depths of 30-to-38 feet. The best action was in the morning hours. Bank fishing and fishing for lake trout was slow.

JEMEZ WATERS: Water flow on the Jemez as of Monday morning was 61cfs near Jemez Springs. Trout fishing on the Jemez, Rio Las Vacas, Rio Guadalupe and the East Fork was good this past week for anglers using hoppers, royal wulffs, parachute adams, small spinners and salmon eggs.

LAGUNA Del CAMPO (Burns Canyon Lake): We had no reports from anglers this week.

MANZANO LAKE: Fishing was slow.

MCGAFFEY LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species.

NAVAJO LAKE: Fishing was very good using small tubes and jigs in Bancos and La Jara canyons for crappie. Fishing was good using orange speed traps, Rat-L-Traps and spinner baits for northern pike up to 8 pounds. Fishing was slow but a few smallmouth bass and largemouth bass were taken on tubes and worms. Fishing was good trolling Arnies, Panther Martins and Rooster Tails at 28-to-40 feet for kokanee and rainbow trout. We had no reports on other species.

RAMAH LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species.

SAN JUAN: Water flow below Navajo Lake as of Monday morning was at 802cfs. Trout fishing in the Quality Waters was fair using sparkle worms, red annelids, small bead head pheasant tail nymphs, dead chickens, emergers, black wooly buggers, Griffith ’s gnats and parachute adams . Fishing through the bait waters was fair using power bait, salmon eggs, wooly buggers, night crawlers, spinners and jerk baits.

SANTA CRUZ LAKE: Trout fishing was fair using spinners, spoons, power bait, worms and salmon eggs.

SEVEN SPRINGS BROOD POND: Trout fishing was good using salmon eggs and power bait.

TINGLEY BEACH: Fishing at the Youth and Central Ponds was very good using night crawlers and worms for bluegill. A few bass were caught by anglers using power worms and tubes. Fishing for catfish at the Central Pond was quite good this past weekend using shrimp, hot dogs, dough bait and night crawlers. Trout fishing at the Catch and Release pond was slow.

SOUTHWEST AREA

BEAR CANYON: Fishing was slow for all species.

BILL EVANS LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.

BURN LAKE: Fishing was slow.

CABALLO LAKE: Fishing was slow-to-fair using crank baits, minnows, top water lures, spinners and grubs for white bass. Walleye fishing was slow but a few were taken by anglers using crank baits and grubs. We had no reports on other species.

ELEPHANT BUTTE: Night fishing was good using cut bait, shrimp, night crawlers, dough bait and liver over baited holes and from the bank for catfish. Fishing was fair-to-good using live gizzard shad for striped bass. A few stripers were also taken on top water lures. Fishing was fair-to-good trolling and casting crank baits and grubs for white bass. A few white bass were also taken on top water lures and spoons. Good reports came from anglers fishing near McRae, the Jungles and Rock Canyon . Fishing was fair using top water lures, tubes, power worms and jerk baits for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.

ESCONDIDA LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species.

GILA RIVER: Water flow on the Gila as of this past Monday was 99cfs. Fishing was slow.

GLENWOOD POND: Trout fishing was fair for anglers using salmon eggs under a bubble. The pond is quite mossy this time of year.

LAKE ROBERTS: Fishing was slow for all species.

PERCHA DAM: Fishing was slow for all species but a few white bass were caught by anglers using grubs and minnows.

QUEMADO LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.

RIO GRANDE: Water flow below Elephant Butte on Monday was 2,230cfs. Fishing below the Butte was slow but downstream anglers reported catching a few walleye. They were using spoons. Fishing below Caballo was slow.

SNOW LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.

SOUTHEAST AREA

BATAAN LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species.

BONITO LAKE: Trout fishing was fair using worms, salmon eggs, Pistol Petes under a bubble and spinners.

BOSQUE REDONDO: Fishing was slow for all species.

BOTTOMLESS LAKES: Fishing was slow. Stocking has been suspended.

BRANTLEY LAKE: Anglers are to practice catch and release for all fish here as high levels of DDT were found in several fish.

CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species.

GRINDSTONE RESERVOIR: Trout fishing was fair using power bait, salmon eggs and spinners.

JAL LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.

LAKE VAN: Fishing was slow for all species.

PECOS RIVER: Water flow on Monday below Sumner Lake was 1,420cfs. This area may reopen to fishing later in the week as flows subside.

PERCH LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.

RUIDOSO RIVER: Water flow near Hollywood on Monday was 31cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.

SANTA ROSA LAKE: The major water release has been cut short and there will be sufficient water for anglers to launch boats and fish through the Labor Day weekend. Fishing this past week was good using 4 inch power worms, spinner baits and tubes for smallmouth and largemouth bass. Fishing was slow for walleye but a few were taken on grubs and crank baits. Fishing for catfish was fair using liver and night crawlers.

SUMNER LAKE: Fishing was good trolling crank baits and spinners for white bass. Fishing was fair using jigs, crank baits, top water lures and tubes for largemouth bass. Fishing for all other species was slow.

Little Camas Reservoir Opens to Fish Salvage

The Little Camas Reservoir in Elmore County will be dry or nearly dry by late summer, and fish in the reservoir will have a high likelihood of dying as water levels drop.

For these reasons, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game opened the reservoir to salvage of fish.

“We would rather have people harvest these fish than let them go to waste when the reservoir is dewatered,” said Doug Megargle, Magic Valley regional fisheries manager.

Daily bag, possession and size limits will be removed on Little Camas Reservoir, beginning August 20 and ending November 30.

Licensed anglers may take the fish by any method except firearms, explosives, chemicals or electric current.

After November 30, standard fishing methods, bag limits and possession limits will be re-instated.

For more information, call 208-324-4359.

Curly Leaf Pondweed in McClusky Canal, North Dakota

The recent discovery of curly leaf pondweed in the McClusky Canal in central North Dakota serves as a reminder for all water recreationists, including waterfowl hunters, to abide by regulations intended to help prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species.

A state Game and Fish Department fisheries crew discovered the unwanted plant in late July. The plant was spotted in the canal waters near Lake Audubon.

Lynn Schlueter, ANS coordinator, said curly leaf pondweed causes problems to fish populations and hinders recreational fishing. “It is going to be hard to control its spread throughout the canal chain as Lake Audubon is a very large reinfestation source upstream,” he said. “At this point, we can notify recreationists that there is a problem and they have to take the required precautions to prevent it from moving to other areas.”

Curly leaf pondweed grows to a deep depth and forms thick stands, making it extremely difficult to fish in. The plant dies in late summer, and decaying vegetation and seeds for next year’s plants drift about the water body.

It is extremely important ANS regulations are followed, Schlueter said, while emphasizing this finding serves as a good reminder for water recreationists to abide by the rules. “If not, citations may be issued,” he added.

ANS can be transported from lake to lake by boats, trailers and other recreational equipment. To comply with regulations, anglers, hunters, boaters and personal watercraft users must:

Inspect and remove all aquatic vegetation from boats, personal watercraft, trailers, and associated equipment such as fishing poles and lures before leaving a body of water.

Remove all aquatic vegetation from bait containers when leaving the water.

Drain all water from boats and other watercraft, including bilges, livewells and motors, at the ramp site before leaving a water body. The only exception is livewells used to transport game fish or baitfish, and potable water and sewage water which must be disposed of properly.

Not transport live aquatic bait or aquatic vegetation into North Dakota. All water must be drained from watercraft upon entering the state.

Not dump bait into any North Dakota water.

Not introduce any fish into North Dakota water.

Not transport nongame fish (other than legal live baitfish) in water away from the water body in which they were taken.

In addition, with fall hunting seasons approaching, waterfowl hunters must clean duck boats, waders and other hunting equipment before leaving a water body, and are urged to run a brush through a hunting dog’s coat to remove any mud and seed.

South Carolina Freshwater Fishing Trends - 8/11/2008

Fishing trends courtesy www.SCFishingReport.com. Check the site for recent updates and detailed reports.

Mountains Area
Lake Jocassee:

• Trout: Very good. Very nice catches of large rainbow trout are being reported trolling in 70 - 90 feet of water using trolling spoons or large plugs; also pull large live shiners in the same zone. Fishing early and late is best. Night fishing continues to be productive with large fish and good numbers being caught; troll the rivers for best success. Black
• Bass: Good. Early morning the best action is coming on topwater lures until the sun gets high around 9 or 10 AM. By 10:00 move out to deeper water and throw soft plastics along 10 - 15 foot drop offs on main and secondary points. Areas that have rocks and some wood seem to be most productive, and the hot lure remains dark swamp crawler green pumpkin Zoom trick worms. A mixed bag seems to be available, but fish are mainly grouped by species (largemouth, smallmouth, and red eyes).

Lake Keowee:

• Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Very good. Early in the morning when the baitfish are moving Lake Fork swimbaits fished in 10 to 25 feet of water in the backs of coves have been productive for spotted bass in the upper part of the lake - magic shad and albino colors have been most effective. Carolina rigged worms fished around islands and points in 25 to 45 feet in watermelon seed and pumpkin seed colors have been working later in the day. Anglers report schooling action in the morning in the Cane Creek area.
• Crappie: Fair. Crappie have moved out to deep water but night fishermen are doing well off and on by fishing up against bridge pilings with a light to attract bait and crappie.
• Bream: Very good. Bluegill are clearly visible along the banks. Fish crickets in 3 to 15 feet of water.

Lake Hartwell:

• Striped and Hybrid Bass: Very good. Action is hot early and late on the east side of Andersonville Island. Try out lead core line and lures such as Cisco Kids and other similar ones. Also, look for fish stacked up near channels and other 40 - 65 foot deep areas. Largemouth
• Bass: Good. Early and late there is still good topwater action off shoals and points. As the sun gets higher switch to shaky head worms and Carolina rigs in 25 to 30 feet of water off the end of points and along river channels. Deep running crankbaits may also be effective, and deep, shaded boat docks are productive.
• Bream: Very good. Bream are in very shallow water and are feeding aggressively.

Piedmont Area
Lake Russell:

• Striped Bass: Fair to good. Striper action is hit or miss, and some days people are really catching them while other days they may come up empty-handed. Fish in 20-35 feet over main lake humps or around long, deep points.
• Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Fair. Most anglers fishing for bass are fishing at night with dark plastics worms.
• Crappie: Fair. There are reports of decent numbers of crappie being caught trolling up Beaverdam Creek in the late evening and around structure under lights at night.

Lake Thurmond:

• Striped and Hybrid Bass: Good. Water temperatures in the upper 80s mean that the lake is stratifying, and striper can be tough to locate. Best action is coming when the fish are moving to the top and feeding on large schools of threadfin shad - throw bucktails or rattle traps. Captain Dave Willard reports that fish don’t stay up long, and can be hard to locate, but if you can find them and stay ahead of the schools of baitfish they can be very rewarding. When you can’t locate fish on top use live herring in 30 to 60 feet of water around creek channels and drops.
• Largemouth Bass: Good. Some largemouth bass are still shallow, and good numbers of 3 and 4 pound fish are being caught. Try Texas rigged worms or shad raps.
• Crappie: Good. Crappie have moved back out to deeper water but can be caught around brush piles and bridges at night. Look for brush in 25 to 35 feet of water; minnows are producing better than jigs. Bream: Fair. Fish in 2 to 10 feet of water with crickets or worms.

Lake Wylie:

• Largemouth Bass: Fair. Overall fishing is tough, but some patterns are working. Early in the morning anglers are targeting schooling bass feeding on shad first thing with topwater lures, and on cloudy days this bite can continue all day. After the sun comes up switch to vertical jigging with Hopkins spoons. At night bass can be found down to about 15 feet of water or more fishing dark worms around brush. Bigger bass are deeper.
• White Perch: Very good. Fish in 18-22 feet of water on drops next to river channels and look for sandy bottoms. Use a minnow or small spoon lowered to the bottom and then bumped slowly; crickets will also work. Bream: Very good. In a very late spawn some fish are still bedding in shallow areas around the middle of coves; use crickets or worms and try to “smell out” the beds. Also fish shallow structure around the shoreline.
• Catfish: Good. Catfishing is still good although boat traffic makes weekend fishing tough. Use mussels, shrimp, and stinkbaits. Fish are also being caught trolling with minnows using traditional crappie fishing methods. Night fishing is good in shallow water.

Midlands Area
Lake Greenwood:

• Largemouth Bass: From very early until 8 a.m. fish around blocks walls that have some depth - these may be hard to find with water levels a bit down. Use floating worms in bright colors like white, orange, yellow, or pink. Later in the day fishing is tougher and anglers are targeting ledges with Carolina rigs and finesse worms. At night fish dark plastic worms around piers or brush piles.
• Striped Bass: Good. Some schooling activity has been reported but it is sparse and there doesn’t seem to be a pattern for when the fish come up. Largemouth and white perch are mixed in with the schooling striper. Down around the dam some nice catches of striper are being made even on very hot days - fish early and late with live herring.
• Crappie: No reports. Crappie have moved out over deep brush piles and are not being targeted by many fishermen.
• Bream: Good. Bream have generally left the beds and moved out around docks and brush. Fish about four feet deep.
• Catfish: Very good. Fish on the bottom using cut bait or worms in 12 to 15 feet of water, and try fishing at night.

Lake Wateree:

• Largemouth Bass: Tough. Try deep humps or brushpiles with large, deep diving crankbaits like DD22s in chartreuse and green/ blue colors. Target the Colonel’s Creek and Rochelle Creek areas.
• Catfish: Very good. For numbers of fish target the lake flats using cut bait and gizzard shad. Creek mouths where the creeks meet the main river channel are great places to anchor up for bigger catfish. Early morning or night fishing trips are a good ideas for more comfortable fishing in the hot summer. Visit the Lake Wateree message board for more tips from Captain Taylor.
• Bream: Very good. Bream are shallow and hungry, and with the full moon are spawning again. Fish 1 to 5 feet of water using worms and crickets.

Lake Murray:

• Striped