My wife & I planning a sprig trip to Green River. Any suggestions on
pre-spawn? I'm thinking late March early April.
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My wife & I planning a sprig trip to Green River. Any suggestions on
pre-spawn? I'm thinking late March early April.
Most of my previous trips to Green River Lake, have been during the third week of April. Mostly the Crappie were bedding, during that time period, but there have been occasions where they weren't quite there yet.Quote:
Originally Posted by steve&chris
Unless you have to make your plans well in advance ... I suggest you keep an eye on the fishing reports from there, specifically the water temps, and when they start edging over the 50deg mark (and the weather outlook is for stable & warming weather) --- then head to the lake.
Depending on how this years "Winter" weather goes ...... you could be thinking right (if it warms early). But, mid April is probably a safer bet ... unless, of course, we get an extended cool period.
What are you planning to do .... fishing method wise ?? Troll, tightline, minnows, jigs ??? Where are you planning on fishing ?? River end, mid lake, state park/island area ??? ........... cp :cool:
Unfortunatly I will have to schedule in advance and hope for the best.
I'm just getting started. I havn't fished for crappie in 40 years and then all we used was 14 to 16' 1 piece cane poles. Sure caught a lot of fish though.
The only technique I know is fishing brush and wood with jig or bobber & minnow. Any suggestions would be appriciated. I am beginning to read about some of the different techniques, trolling seem interesting for the amount of water that can be covered in a given time period.
I'm not that familier with the lake. I would probably consider the upper end or the creek arms
First things first :Quote:
Originally Posted by steve&chris
Get you a map of GRL
If you can't wait until later in April, set your plans as far into April as possible ... if you hit prespawn period, you'll do just fine with rod/reel/minnows and drifting over humps or along channels. If the spawn has started, shallow flats with stumps - sandy bottom banks - shoreline wood - around the "island" - and any standing or downed trees back in the creeks, should be good places to cast jigs & Roadrunners or minnow/float rigs.
I'm most familiar with the part of the lake from the Dam to the island and some branch off creeks around Pike Ridge. You can tell very quickly if the Crappie are in next to the banks ... all you need do is cast a Roadrunner or jig along the bank of the island (which is between Green River State Park & Smith Ridge Rec Area). I always stayed in the State Park campground. From the launch ramp, turn left and come around the corner to the State Park. Straight across from there is a cut-thru. Go thru the cut-thru and stop. Start fishing along the bank to your left (backside of island) and it's good fishing all the way around the island, until you come to the rock cliff portion of it (which is most of the side facing the State Park, from cut-thru almost to the point where the lake turns right and goes around the island). You don't catch any fish ... move out deeper and drift minnows or troll jigs, usually in the 12-15ft range in 18-25ft of water.
This area is the North end of the lake, and even though the water is deeper here, the shallows warm up pretty quickly. Don't even be afraid to cast or troll the "beach" area of the State Park Campground and the sand flats that run from the end of the campground towards the NW corner of that part of the lake. The only things that would make these two areas non-productive, is low water, high ESE winds, or being there too early in the season.
On the other side of the island - around Emerald Isle Marina can also be productive (just watch for signs about "no fishing" areas close to the marina or boat slips). On up into Robinson Creek, around the corner from Emerald Isle Marina, and on the right side of the creek is Pike Ridge Rec Area. You'll cross over a submerged road bed (see map) ... the next two creeks on the right, past Pike Ridge, have some good banks to cast jigs to.
Be advised ... the lake not only has a decent Crappie population, but is also home to Smallmouth, Walleye, and Muskie -- all of which are subject to latching ahold of your jig or minnow :eek: :D
I haven't been down there in several years, but last years Spring Crappie fishing was pretty good (from what I've been told) ... so this years fishing should be "good", with the possibility of being "excellent". It seems to run in cycles ... 2-3years of dinks, followed by 1-2years of Slabs. Hope 2007 is a Slab year ;) ... not only for your sake, but because I might get a chance to venture down there this year, myself :p .... luck2ya ... cp :cool:
Thanks for taking the time to respond. We will try to schedule 4 days around the 21st of April. May your rod tips always be active.