Lemon was a mess!

Fished Lemon yesterday and so did about 15 other boaters at 7 am launch. By noon,,most had or were taking out. 3-4 that talked with me,,did have issues like me. East half of the lake was pure mud from previous rains. Most of the lake had floating debris, logs, wood, weeds, Lilly pads, even a few corn stalks floating making long lining of any types of baits difficult. Water temp had shot up to 67-68 in most places and I am sure got higher as the day progressed. I managed maybe 20 total crappie with 3 keepers over 10”. No other types of fish were caught using crankbaits as I also tried 12 or more other colors during the 5.5 hrs before calling it quits. Lake water level is still falling and might even finally be stable today but watch for all the logs and wood when running your big motor. I have experienced fish shut down before and just think the lake needs to stabilize as it’s a shallow lake. You know when it’s full of debris when the pleasure craft wasn’t out.

Another thing,,,no fish was caught in the east half due to mud. When the water column if my mega 360, SI, and DI is completely cloudy not showing a clean picture,,you can see how messed up the water is from top to bottom.

I think the spawn was a bust this year in a lot of places. I was on Raccoon and EC this week and saw the same thing on both - lots of fish pulling out off the bank away from spawning areas. Had a lot of floating debris, but no mud. Did have to contend with the cottonwoods starting to blow. Think I’d rather deal with mud and debris than that stuff floating everywhere and balling up on your line every cast.

We have had 20 some days of below normal temperatures 10-15 degrees below normal and I think the spawn is about here in a week or so with water finally warming. All the eggs I have seen weren’t ready except a few large females. Where I live all the rain has skirted me as I have only had 2/10’s inch of rain now for last 3 weeks and so dry I am watering the garden and wife’s flowers every other day. Can’t fish east fork of the white as to high and muddy for Spots or smallies either. Other day..Monroe didn’t look bad at all. Now we experience 10-15 above normal hot days even to 90. Crazy spring to say the least.

I wish I had seen your report before I decided to try Lemon yesterday. It started out bad before I even got to the lake a deer want to test out how strong my bumper was and it didn’t turn out well for the front of my truck or the deer. Finally got to the lake and saw all the limbs and debris in the water and knew it was going to be a even worse day but I still had to try started fishing at 6:30 ended up with 11 fish over ten inches and twenty nine total before I had enough of clearing my lines of weeds. I was not ready to leave yet so I start to find brush piles and fish them with the live scope ended up catch seven more nice fish so I guess the day as not a total bust outside of my bumper and grill.


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Hate to hear the crash with the deer,,I know how that feels having wacked 3 myself. Sounds like your fishing was a nice effort with the once’s you located and caught. It will get better and any day out in the water is a good day. :ThumbsUp

We were still catching a lot of fish full of eggs at Raccoon Thurs in 8-15ft of water, but we also caught some right against the bank water temps were 67.4deg when we left at 1130. I don't think they've even got really started spawning like they should, might get up on banks this coming week but who knows weird spring.

Fish may crowd the banks to gorge themselves on cicadas. Check the banks for overhanging trees and shrubs.

just starting to come out of the ground good around here should be a ton in a few days.

I had 2.7” of rain. Bloomington area got more than me. Lemon is muddy again and full of crap. Just a FYI.