03-21-2006, 12:18 AM
[left][font "Verdana"][size 2]March 16, 2006[/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Verdana"][size 3]DOUGLAS RESERVOIR: [/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2](3/16/06) - The creel clerk will be working on Cherokee Lake during 2006. Fishing reports for Douglas will resume in 2007.[/size][/font][/left] [left] [/left] [left][font "Verdana"][size 3]CHEROKEE RESERVOIR:[/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2] (3/16/06) - [/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]WATER CONDITIONS:
The water level is rising with the surface temperature reaching up to 53.6 degrees up in the day. The water is a light murky color.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]SUMMARY:
Largemouth and smallmouth bass can be found around points, flats, and sandy red dirt banks. Fish 2 to 15 feet deep with shad raps, silver buddy, or cream worms.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]Crappie are being caught on brush piles, submerged treetops along shorelines, bluffs, and in creeks. Fish 2 to 10 feet deep with pink, black, or purple flies, or minnows.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]Striped bass and Cherokee bass are in the areas of Point 18 on up to Point 24. Most are caught trolling with red fins, 30-plus crank baits, jigs tipped with twister tail grubs, and shad. Fish 5 to 30 feet deep.[/size][/font] [left]
[font "Verdana"][size 3]NORRIS RESERVOIR:[/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2] (3/16/06)[/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2] - [/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]WATER CONDITIONS:
The lake elevation rose a foot over the past week. The current lake elevation is1000.3-feet and is predicted to remain steady over the next two days. Water surface temperatures have warmed to 50 degrees in mid-channel, with temperatures as high as the high-50's being found in the back of protected, shallow coves on sunny afternoons. The lake water is clear in all mid-channel locations. The backs of some of the larger creeks have a bit more color. As the water warms through the 50's, anglers may see plankton blooms which will color the lake surface with a brownish stain. This is a natural occurrence. TWRA's Reservoir Data Collection web site, [url "http://www.tnfish.org/"]www.tnfish.org[/url], has other useful information on TWRA's Norris fishery, fish identification photos, map links and fishing reports on other lakes in east Tennessee.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]SUMMARY:
Many smaller smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass are being caught at shallower depths. Larger SMALLMOUTH BASS are in deeper water, off main channel points. LARGEMOUTH and SPOTTED BASS hit better in the upper sections of the lake where there was a bit more color to the water. STRIPED BASS are running upriver and into the heads of the large creeks. CRAPPIE are hitting well in the upper river sections on main channel brush, and in the back of the large creeks WALLEYE catches in the headwaters of the Clinch and Powell rivers are fair on most days, with males making up the bulk of the catch. Lower end walleye are holding on the main channel points and red clay banks at 10 to 15 feet deep.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]SMALLMOUTH BASS
Moderate.
Larger smallmouth are staging on gravel and rocky points at 15 to 25 feet deep, depending upon the brightness of the day and the barometric pressure. Upriver smallmouth (above Points 15 and 31) have been caught as shallow as 5 feet on rocky banks, but most of these have been smaller fish. Small Bandit crankbaits (light yellow or white, or crawfish pattern/color) retrieved slowly, parallel to the rocky shoreline. Also 1/4 ounce or 3.8 ounce pig'n jigs (black and pumpkin color combinations with blues or orange highlights) fished deep, along the bottom, on points where smallmouth are staging. Some on float-and-fly rigs off rocky banks, or deep on points. Some reported caught on spinnerbaits.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]LARGEMOUTH & SPOTTED BASS
Fair.
Surface to 15-feet.
Small, shallow-running crankbaits (Bandits, Fat Raps, Rat'l Traps), retrieved slowly along rocky banks. Crawfish patterns have done well, but catches have come on pearl colored, or other lighter colored plugs as well. Silver Buddies, 1/2-ounce hair jigs tipped with large pork chunks on rocky, steeper banks. Some anglers reported catching fish on spinnerbaits. Main channels, as well as in the back of the hollows are both producing fish. The backs of the hollows are warming considerably more than the channels, and are producing fish.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]CRAPPIE
Moderate on the lower end; good in the upper river sections on main channel brush. 5 to 15-feet, in the brush along steep banks in large creek embayments. Also in the headwaters in deep, shoreline trees and brush. Shallower in early morning and at dusk. Small tube jigs, popeye flies, or minnows in the brush. Davis Creek; Sycamore Creek; the river channels of both the Clinch (above Point 32) and the Powell (above Point 15) are good when fishing in deep water brush/downed trees. Trolling the bottom with small dollflies or plastic grub/leadhead jigs in Sycamore Creek has accounted for some limits of crappie.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]WALLEYE
Fair.
12 to 16 feet in upriver locations (above Points 33 and 17), 10 feet on lower end red clay, main channel banks from the Dam to Point 9 and in Cove and Big creeks.
Upriver: troll or jig along the bottom with 1/2 ounce doll flies tipped with minnows. Hair jigs in orange, yellow, or brown, tipped with tuffy minnows work well in the headwaters above Points 33 and 17. Or troll with Shad-Raps, Hot'nTots, Bombers, Thundersticks, or similar plugs in the same locations. Weekends are not as good as weekdays because of increased boat traffic in shallow water.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]STRIPED BASS
Fair.
Surface to 20-feet deep.
3 or 4-inch Bass Assassins have taken most fish, but Sassy Shads, bucktail jigs, and chrome spoons cast into schools of striped bass are also taking some. Locate the fish by following actively feeding terns and gulls, cast into the water where the birds are feeding and you'll find the fish. Or, driftline on the surface and to 15-feet with shad or alewife.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]Striped bass are starting their spring run to the headwaters of the large creek embayments and the Powell and Clinch rivers. Surfacing striped bass have been seen near Point 14 and Point 29, as well as in Lost Creek and near 33 Highway Bridge.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 3]SOUTH HOLSTON RESERVOIR: [/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2](3/16/06) - [/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]WATER CONDITIONS:
Surface temperatures are in the low-50's at 7:00 a.m. in mornings this week. Water clarity is clear. The lake level as of 4:00 p.m. Wednesday was 1,713.17 feet above sea level.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]SUMMARY:
Bass fishing has been slow this week. Fish continue to be taken on three basic lures along with live bait. The float and fly, bone color "Long A", and a white or chartreuse fluke continue to produce as they have most of the winter. Spoons and Silver Buddies are other good ones also to try. The fluke has been especially good early in the mornings, or throughout the day on cloudy days. Fishing the fluke in about 3-8 feet of water off shallow dirt points has been working the best. The float and fly action is starting to dwindle now but can be effective on cool mornings when tipped with a minnow in about 15-20 feet of water off bluffs and walls. Blue or gray flies seem to be the colors of choice. Jerkbaits seem to be working the best right now. Fish them off long shallow points in the lower end of the lake.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]Crappie fishing did fair this week. The best numbers of fish can be found in the creek channels and coves where brush or treetops are located. Most of these fish are being caught on live minnows in about 5-8 feet of water. Blue or Chartreuse jigs and flies have been somewhat successful. Big or Little Jacobs creeks, Little Oak, or Painter Creek are good areas to look for crappie now.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]Walleye fishing is still slow. Trolling with nightcrawler rigs, in 10 to 20 feet of water from the 421 access down toward the dam in early to mid-mornings, has been most effective recently.[/size][/font]
[/left]
[font "Verdana"][size 3]BOONE RESERVOIR: [/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2](3/16/06) -[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]WATER CONDITIONS:
The surface temperature at 12:00 noon, on Wednesday of this week, was 53.5 degrees. The clearest water in the lake is at the dam with some dingy water up towards the rivers. The lake level as of 4:00 p.m. Wednesday was 1,369.36 feet above sea level.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]SUMMARY:
Bass fishing was real slow this past weekend and continues to be slow during the week. The Hampton Bass Club found fishing really tough last Saturday with the majority of the boats only weighing in one or two fish and several boats having no fish. What fish have been taken since last weekend, have been caught mostly on a jerkbait or small Bandit crankbaits. The majority of the fishermen have been fishing shallow rocky flats or points on the main channel or points at entrances into coves. Most of the bass seem to be holding tight to the rocks and down into them waiting to attack shad and bait fish going by. Some plastics might also work well fished in these rocky areas. Both ends of the lake seem to be producing about the same.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]Striper and hybrid action continues to get better. Closer to the rivers you get the better they seem to be hitting. These fish seem to be best right at first sunrise or about an hour to 30 minutes before dark. Most of the fish caught in either end of the lake are being taken shallow in about 15-20 feet of water late in the evening or on topwater early in the mornings. Shad seems to be the best bait for both stripers and hybrids. White hair jigs and Zara Spooks would also be worth trying.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]Crappie fishermen have been out in better numbers lately and the fish are showing up as well. The majority of the anglers are using chartreuse or blue/white jigs or flies tipped with a minnow in about 6-8 feet of water fishing over submerged treetops or brush piles. Trolling for the crappie has also produced some nice fish lately on the Holston end by Davis Dock.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 3]MELTON HILL RESERVOIR: [/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2](3/16/06) - [/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]WATER CONDITIONS:
Water surface temperatures are averaging the mid-50's. The water temp. is rising slowly. The temperature at the steam plant is the same as the main lake, because of maintenance being done at the plant.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]SUMMARY:
Warm days have helped the fish start biting better. Crappies and bluegills are hitting pretty good, mostly in the deeper water on the fallen trees. Warm temperatures last week got the spring fishing fever started.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]BLUEGILL
Improving.
5 to 15 feet.
Bluegills are starting to hit very well, and are starting to move up into the shallower water and into the shallow cover. Try some crickets for a good stringer of bluegill.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]CRAPPIE
Improving.
5 to 30 feet.
Crappie are starting to move back to shallower water, and into shallow cover, like brushpiles. Some really nice crappie are being caught on popeye jigs tipped with minnows or plain minnows. The slip-bobber is a good setup because you can adjust your depth very easily. Some good crappie have been caught between 6 and 12 feet.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]LARGEMOUTH AND SPOTTED BASS
Improving.
3 to 15 feet.
Bass are really starting to hit good on spinnerbait and crankbait. Try fishing points and flats next to channels or dropoffs. Red is a good crankbait color right now, while chartreuse and white mix is good for spinnerbait in 5/8 to 3/4 ounce size with gold willow leaf blades. Slow rolling your spinnerbait is a good way to find bigger bass right now.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]SMALLMOUTH
Improving.
5 to 20 feet.
Some nice smallmouth are being caught right now. Try the pig and jig in crawfish colors in heavy cover. Also try the float and fly with or without tipping with minnow. Try bandit crankbaits on the flats around big patches of stumps. Red and shad colors are doing pretty well.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]STRIPED BASS
Moderate.
Surface to 30 feet.
Most are being caught on live shad either trolled or cast on long rocky banks. Also try big crankbaits in the stumps and on the flats.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]MUSKY
Improving.
Surface to 15 feet.
Musky are starting to hit better. Use your big jerk baits like the Thunderstick, and Shallow Invader, also the big Rapala. Mostly around the big brushpiles and big blown down trees. Some are being caught while bass fishing with crankbaits and spinnerbaits.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 3]TELLICO RESERVOIR: [/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2](3/16/06) - [/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]WATER CONDITIONS:
Water surface temperatures averaging in the mid-50's and clear for most of the lake.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]SUMMARY:
Some warm days are really getting the fish going. Crappie are moving up into shallower water. Bass are really starting to hit the spinnerbait in 5/8 and 3/4 ounce, chartreuse and white with the willow leaf blade in gold color. Also on the crankbait on the flats with stumps.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]BLUEGILL
Improving.
5 to 30 feet.
Bluegill are moving up from the deeper water to shallow structure, such as brushpiles and fallen timber. Crickets are a good bait along with red worms and wax worms. They should be moving up in large numbers very soon.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]CRAPPIE
Improving.
5 to 20 feet.
Crappie are starting to turn on pretty good in the shallower water. Try leadhead jigs in the 1/16 and 1/8 oz. size tipped with minnow. Also try just a hook and minnow with split shot, with a float or without.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]LARGEMOUTH AND SPOTTED BASS
Improving.
3 to 15 feet.
Spinnerbaits in the 5/8 and 3/4 oz. size are taking quite a few pretty good bass off the points and also on the flats, slow rolling the willow leaf blades works well, mostly in the chartreuse and white combination. Crankbaits are starting to pick up a few also. Mostly in the crayfish colors.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]SMALLMOUTH
Improving.
Smallmouth are starting to feed better also. They seem to like the crankbaits a little better right now. But the smallmouth are hitting the spinnerbaits too. Try the same colors as the largemouth are hitting. The float and fly is still catching some also.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]WALLEYE AND SAUGER
Improving.
Walleye are starting to move up into the channels along with the sauger, but are still a little slow[/size][/font][/left]
[signature]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]WATER CONDITIONS:
The water level is rising with the surface temperature reaching up to 53.6 degrees up in the day. The water is a light murky color.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]SUMMARY:
Largemouth and smallmouth bass can be found around points, flats, and sandy red dirt banks. Fish 2 to 15 feet deep with shad raps, silver buddy, or cream worms.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]Crappie are being caught on brush piles, submerged treetops along shorelines, bluffs, and in creeks. Fish 2 to 10 feet deep with pink, black, or purple flies, or minnows.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]Striped bass and Cherokee bass are in the areas of Point 18 on up to Point 24. Most are caught trolling with red fins, 30-plus crank baits, jigs tipped with twister tail grubs, and shad. Fish 5 to 30 feet deep.[/size][/font] [left]
[font "Verdana"][size 3]NORRIS RESERVOIR:[/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2] (3/16/06)[/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2] - [/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]WATER CONDITIONS:
The lake elevation rose a foot over the past week. The current lake elevation is1000.3-feet and is predicted to remain steady over the next two days. Water surface temperatures have warmed to 50 degrees in mid-channel, with temperatures as high as the high-50's being found in the back of protected, shallow coves on sunny afternoons. The lake water is clear in all mid-channel locations. The backs of some of the larger creeks have a bit more color. As the water warms through the 50's, anglers may see plankton blooms which will color the lake surface with a brownish stain. This is a natural occurrence. TWRA's Reservoir Data Collection web site, [url "http://www.tnfish.org/"]www.tnfish.org[/url], has other useful information on TWRA's Norris fishery, fish identification photos, map links and fishing reports on other lakes in east Tennessee.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]SUMMARY:
Many smaller smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass are being caught at shallower depths. Larger SMALLMOUTH BASS are in deeper water, off main channel points. LARGEMOUTH and SPOTTED BASS hit better in the upper sections of the lake where there was a bit more color to the water. STRIPED BASS are running upriver and into the heads of the large creeks. CRAPPIE are hitting well in the upper river sections on main channel brush, and in the back of the large creeks WALLEYE catches in the headwaters of the Clinch and Powell rivers are fair on most days, with males making up the bulk of the catch. Lower end walleye are holding on the main channel points and red clay banks at 10 to 15 feet deep.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]SMALLMOUTH BASS
Moderate.
Larger smallmouth are staging on gravel and rocky points at 15 to 25 feet deep, depending upon the brightness of the day and the barometric pressure. Upriver smallmouth (above Points 15 and 31) have been caught as shallow as 5 feet on rocky banks, but most of these have been smaller fish. Small Bandit crankbaits (light yellow or white, or crawfish pattern/color) retrieved slowly, parallel to the rocky shoreline. Also 1/4 ounce or 3.8 ounce pig'n jigs (black and pumpkin color combinations with blues or orange highlights) fished deep, along the bottom, on points where smallmouth are staging. Some on float-and-fly rigs off rocky banks, or deep on points. Some reported caught on spinnerbaits.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]LARGEMOUTH & SPOTTED BASS
Fair.
Surface to 15-feet.
Small, shallow-running crankbaits (Bandits, Fat Raps, Rat'l Traps), retrieved slowly along rocky banks. Crawfish patterns have done well, but catches have come on pearl colored, or other lighter colored plugs as well. Silver Buddies, 1/2-ounce hair jigs tipped with large pork chunks on rocky, steeper banks. Some anglers reported catching fish on spinnerbaits. Main channels, as well as in the back of the hollows are both producing fish. The backs of the hollows are warming considerably more than the channels, and are producing fish.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]CRAPPIE
Moderate on the lower end; good in the upper river sections on main channel brush. 5 to 15-feet, in the brush along steep banks in large creek embayments. Also in the headwaters in deep, shoreline trees and brush. Shallower in early morning and at dusk. Small tube jigs, popeye flies, or minnows in the brush. Davis Creek; Sycamore Creek; the river channels of both the Clinch (above Point 32) and the Powell (above Point 15) are good when fishing in deep water brush/downed trees. Trolling the bottom with small dollflies or plastic grub/leadhead jigs in Sycamore Creek has accounted for some limits of crappie.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]WALLEYE
Fair.
12 to 16 feet in upriver locations (above Points 33 and 17), 10 feet on lower end red clay, main channel banks from the Dam to Point 9 and in Cove and Big creeks.
Upriver: troll or jig along the bottom with 1/2 ounce doll flies tipped with minnows. Hair jigs in orange, yellow, or brown, tipped with tuffy minnows work well in the headwaters above Points 33 and 17. Or troll with Shad-Raps, Hot'nTots, Bombers, Thundersticks, or similar plugs in the same locations. Weekends are not as good as weekdays because of increased boat traffic in shallow water.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]STRIPED BASS
Fair.
Surface to 20-feet deep.
3 or 4-inch Bass Assassins have taken most fish, but Sassy Shads, bucktail jigs, and chrome spoons cast into schools of striped bass are also taking some. Locate the fish by following actively feeding terns and gulls, cast into the water where the birds are feeding and you'll find the fish. Or, driftline on the surface and to 15-feet with shad or alewife.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]Striped bass are starting their spring run to the headwaters of the large creek embayments and the Powell and Clinch rivers. Surfacing striped bass have been seen near Point 14 and Point 29, as well as in Lost Creek and near 33 Highway Bridge.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 3]SOUTH HOLSTON RESERVOIR: [/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2](3/16/06) - [/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]WATER CONDITIONS:
Surface temperatures are in the low-50's at 7:00 a.m. in mornings this week. Water clarity is clear. The lake level as of 4:00 p.m. Wednesday was 1,713.17 feet above sea level.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]SUMMARY:
Bass fishing has been slow this week. Fish continue to be taken on three basic lures along with live bait. The float and fly, bone color "Long A", and a white or chartreuse fluke continue to produce as they have most of the winter. Spoons and Silver Buddies are other good ones also to try. The fluke has been especially good early in the mornings, or throughout the day on cloudy days. Fishing the fluke in about 3-8 feet of water off shallow dirt points has been working the best. The float and fly action is starting to dwindle now but can be effective on cool mornings when tipped with a minnow in about 15-20 feet of water off bluffs and walls. Blue or gray flies seem to be the colors of choice. Jerkbaits seem to be working the best right now. Fish them off long shallow points in the lower end of the lake.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]Crappie fishing did fair this week. The best numbers of fish can be found in the creek channels and coves where brush or treetops are located. Most of these fish are being caught on live minnows in about 5-8 feet of water. Blue or Chartreuse jigs and flies have been somewhat successful. Big or Little Jacobs creeks, Little Oak, or Painter Creek are good areas to look for crappie now.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]Walleye fishing is still slow. Trolling with nightcrawler rigs, in 10 to 20 feet of water from the 421 access down toward the dam in early to mid-mornings, has been most effective recently.[/size][/font]
[/left]
[font "Verdana"][size 3]BOONE RESERVOIR: [/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2](3/16/06) -[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]WATER CONDITIONS:
The surface temperature at 12:00 noon, on Wednesday of this week, was 53.5 degrees. The clearest water in the lake is at the dam with some dingy water up towards the rivers. The lake level as of 4:00 p.m. Wednesday was 1,369.36 feet above sea level.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]SUMMARY:
Bass fishing was real slow this past weekend and continues to be slow during the week. The Hampton Bass Club found fishing really tough last Saturday with the majority of the boats only weighing in one or two fish and several boats having no fish. What fish have been taken since last weekend, have been caught mostly on a jerkbait or small Bandit crankbaits. The majority of the fishermen have been fishing shallow rocky flats or points on the main channel or points at entrances into coves. Most of the bass seem to be holding tight to the rocks and down into them waiting to attack shad and bait fish going by. Some plastics might also work well fished in these rocky areas. Both ends of the lake seem to be producing about the same.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]Striper and hybrid action continues to get better. Closer to the rivers you get the better they seem to be hitting. These fish seem to be best right at first sunrise or about an hour to 30 minutes before dark. Most of the fish caught in either end of the lake are being taken shallow in about 15-20 feet of water late in the evening or on topwater early in the mornings. Shad seems to be the best bait for both stripers and hybrids. White hair jigs and Zara Spooks would also be worth trying.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]Crappie fishermen have been out in better numbers lately and the fish are showing up as well. The majority of the anglers are using chartreuse or blue/white jigs or flies tipped with a minnow in about 6-8 feet of water fishing over submerged treetops or brush piles. Trolling for the crappie has also produced some nice fish lately on the Holston end by Davis Dock.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 3]MELTON HILL RESERVOIR: [/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2](3/16/06) - [/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]WATER CONDITIONS:
Water surface temperatures are averaging the mid-50's. The water temp. is rising slowly. The temperature at the steam plant is the same as the main lake, because of maintenance being done at the plant.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]SUMMARY:
Warm days have helped the fish start biting better. Crappies and bluegills are hitting pretty good, mostly in the deeper water on the fallen trees. Warm temperatures last week got the spring fishing fever started.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]BLUEGILL
Improving.
5 to 15 feet.
Bluegills are starting to hit very well, and are starting to move up into the shallower water and into the shallow cover. Try some crickets for a good stringer of bluegill.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]CRAPPIE
Improving.
5 to 30 feet.
Crappie are starting to move back to shallower water, and into shallow cover, like brushpiles. Some really nice crappie are being caught on popeye jigs tipped with minnows or plain minnows. The slip-bobber is a good setup because you can adjust your depth very easily. Some good crappie have been caught between 6 and 12 feet.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]LARGEMOUTH AND SPOTTED BASS
Improving.
3 to 15 feet.
Bass are really starting to hit good on spinnerbait and crankbait. Try fishing points and flats next to channels or dropoffs. Red is a good crankbait color right now, while chartreuse and white mix is good for spinnerbait in 5/8 to 3/4 ounce size with gold willow leaf blades. Slow rolling your spinnerbait is a good way to find bigger bass right now.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]SMALLMOUTH
Improving.
5 to 20 feet.
Some nice smallmouth are being caught right now. Try the pig and jig in crawfish colors in heavy cover. Also try the float and fly with or without tipping with minnow. Try bandit crankbaits on the flats around big patches of stumps. Red and shad colors are doing pretty well.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]STRIPED BASS
Moderate.
Surface to 30 feet.
Most are being caught on live shad either trolled or cast on long rocky banks. Also try big crankbaits in the stumps and on the flats.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]MUSKY
Improving.
Surface to 15 feet.
Musky are starting to hit better. Use your big jerk baits like the Thunderstick, and Shallow Invader, also the big Rapala. Mostly around the big brushpiles and big blown down trees. Some are being caught while bass fishing with crankbaits and spinnerbaits.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 3]TELLICO RESERVOIR: [/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2](3/16/06) - [/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]WATER CONDITIONS:
Water surface temperatures averaging in the mid-50's and clear for most of the lake.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]SUMMARY:
Some warm days are really getting the fish going. Crappie are moving up into shallower water. Bass are really starting to hit the spinnerbait in 5/8 and 3/4 ounce, chartreuse and white with the willow leaf blade in gold color. Also on the crankbait on the flats with stumps.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]BLUEGILL
Improving.
5 to 30 feet.
Bluegill are moving up from the deeper water to shallow structure, such as brushpiles and fallen timber. Crickets are a good bait along with red worms and wax worms. They should be moving up in large numbers very soon.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]CRAPPIE
Improving.
5 to 20 feet.
Crappie are starting to turn on pretty good in the shallower water. Try leadhead jigs in the 1/16 and 1/8 oz. size tipped with minnow. Also try just a hook and minnow with split shot, with a float or without.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]LARGEMOUTH AND SPOTTED BASS
Improving.
3 to 15 feet.
Spinnerbaits in the 5/8 and 3/4 oz. size are taking quite a few pretty good bass off the points and also on the flats, slow rolling the willow leaf blades works well, mostly in the chartreuse and white combination. Crankbaits are starting to pick up a few also. Mostly in the crayfish colors.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]SMALLMOUTH
Improving.
Smallmouth are starting to feed better also. They seem to like the crankbaits a little better right now. But the smallmouth are hitting the spinnerbaits too. Try the same colors as the largemouth are hitting. The float and fly is still catching some also.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]WALLEYE AND SAUGER
Improving.
Walleye are starting to move up into the channels along with the sauger, but are still a little slow[/size][/font][/left]
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