CJ WATER TEMPS AND FISHING THREAD FOR FALL 2015 & 2016

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Originally Posted by crappiemax

What feeds CJ? I'm assuming it's not a major creek if it doesn't mud up.
I think muddy water is a kick in the teeth to crappie especially if it cold muddy water. However I think the effects are pretty short lived and crappie seem to acclimate to the condition pretty quickly. I like dark colors in muddy/murky water.

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She's fed by a Big Creek (Buck Creek).....CJ has the benefit of being surrounded by trees and grasslands, so run-off is contained. No houses built on her, or large developments that feed into her!
To the North where Buck Creek and a few smaller ones run in, is the Prairie Rd Fen and Wetlands....CJ actually has 2 Fens and Wetland areas...Prairie Rd is the Largest in the State...All of the land up North is wooded or grassy also.
Then you add on all the Natural Springs that feed CJ and she stays real nice compared to all the other lakes in the State.
When we had the BIG Floods 5 or 6 years ago, the Water was at the Top of the Breakers walls, the sidewalks and parking lots were flooded, the overlook area was underwater...and the water was perfectly clear...My son and I were out fishing and just tearing it up! I'll never forget it...never seen the water so high.
Even with all that water, it spread out to the North and West....the dam level didn't change and was never in jeopardy, and it was only up 1/4th of the Emergency spillway dam face...that lake can hold ALOT more water than people think! That's why the Army COE frustrates me with their Antiquated water management!

I go with Fluorescent colors in the daytime in colored water....and dark at night!

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Originally Posted by INTIMIDATOR

I go with Fluorescent colors in the daytime in colored water....and dark at night!

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I may have to give that a try. One thing I will say is that in muddy water the fish will SOMETIMES move up in the water column quite a bit. One of my favorite is a black/blue stinger type bait like a BGBS. I bought them years ago somewhere and have never seem them again. I'm optimistic...I keep looking.

This last rain we got at Christmas raised EF over 16' and everything got muddy. I prefer clean water in winter but if you're going to fish down here in winter you'd better get used to fishing with some color to the water. It doesn't take much to push EF up 5' or 10' and 15'-20' is pretty common at least several times a year.

That was a heck of a flood back then. EF went up 40' and every parking lot and launch ramp was under water. That was crazy. Even now, if you look at the lake during the summer you can still see how high the water level was because you can still see a ring around the lake where it killed a lot of vegetation.
You know, I never criticize the COE for what they do with the water levels. The way I see it no matter what the do, someone won't be happy. My only beef with the COE is on the Ohio River and them blocking fishing access at Meldahl. Crappie Crazed worked his butt off trying to get them to lighten up with the restrictions and they won't do it. Of course the real fault lies if the hands of a few guys fishing who ruined it for the rest of us. It used to be a fun place to fish.

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Originally Posted by crappiemax

I may have to give that a try. One thing I will say is that in muddy water the fish will SOMETIMES move up in the water column quite a bit. One of my favorite is a black/blue stinger type bait like a BGBS. I bought them years ago somewhere and have never seem them again. I'm optimistic...I keep looking.

This last rain we got at Christmas raised EF over 16' and everything got muddy. I prefer clean water in winter but if you're going to fish down here in winter you'd better get used to fishing with some color to the water. It doesn't take much to push EF up 5' or 10' and 15'-20' is pretty common at least several times a year.

That was a heck of a flood back then. EF went up 40' and every parking lot and launch ramp was under water. That was crazy. Even now, if you look at the lake during the summer you can still see how high the water level was because you can still see a ring around the lake where it killed a lot of vegetation.
You know, I never criticize the COE for what they do with the water levels. The way I see it no matter what the do, someone won't be happy. My only beef with the COE is on the Ohio River and them blocking fishing access at Meldahl. Crappie Crazed worked his butt off trying to get them to lighten up with the restrictions and they won't do it. Of course the real fault lies if the hands of a few guys fishing who ruined it for the rest of us. It used to be a fun place to fish.

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My Big deal with the COE, is during Spring....they could easily raise the water to help with the Walleye and WB spawns....Walleye wait at the Mouth, then WB wait at the Mouth...NOTHING!
If they raised the level just 2 feet, the fish could get up in the creek and spawn....then we would have a self sustaining Gator population....But NO....the lake has never been close to flooding since it was built and Springfield has not come close to flooding. But they continue to follow orders handed down from the 1950's on dam procedures!
With the available forecasts, they have plenty of time to adjust things if needed!
Just like last week...CJ is at Winter pool....for 2 inches of rain, they dropped it another 2-3 feet....Why? Winter Pool is supposed to give them flexibility to handle heavy Spring rains, plus all the extra that may be needed????
I know what you're saying....they will not listen to reason!:)

During that flood event, and some others, we had ALOT of guys coming up from EF and Caesars to fish...they were amazed she was so clear!

Has any body been out to the lake? is it froze some or can i get my small boat out tommorow if i come up there. thanks

I went by today and she looks fine from Robert Eastman...didn't go to the Main boat ramp!

Impdog, what time were you planning on? I might head there in the afternoon, depending on my schedule.

Stocking up for 2016!:)

DON'T HEAD OUT TO CJ....UNLESS YOU WANT TO DOCK "ice fish"!
CJ STARTED FREEZING....Jeff said she is 50% covered and you can't get a boat in...he tried!:)

Dang it Bobby!

Anyone own an ice breaker??

Good to know that, my 31 mile drive isnt bad but if theres no need why do it!