Flooding slows <b>freshwater fishing</b>, but Carolinas coast is hot

Flooding slows freshwater fishing, but Carolinas coast is hot

While flooding has created extremely dangerous conditions on the Piedmont area lakes, angling action rates excellent along the coast.

The Catawba River chain of lakes – from James downstream to Wylie – are in especially poor shape.

“There are trees and logs measuring 60 feet floating out there,” Boots Beasley, a veteran angler who lives on the shore of Lake Norman near Mooresville, said Wednesday.  “If a bass boat or other relatively small boat hit one of them at much speed, it could be very, very bad.”

Beasley and David Clubb of Mooresville, a long-time guide on the Catawba reservoirs, estimated that it will be “at least four or five days” before boating and fishing conditions improve.

Meanwhile, coastal anglers are scoring sensationally.  There are plentiful whiting in the surf and at piers, big reds in the surf at Ocracoke Island and limits of blackfin tuna, dolphin and wahoo offshore.

LAKE NORMAN: Very high and discolored water traceable to last weekend’s record rainfall in the foothills slowed. Before the rains, there was fair to good action for largemouth and spotted bass  in the backs of creeks on spinnerbaits and flukes. It was good to excellent for crappie around docks and shallow brush, mainly on minnows. Catfish were being taken in the coves on cut baits and pieces of chicken marinated in garlic powder.

LAKE WYLIE: Also high and discolored.  Once the water returns to normal, the catch should resume for crappie around docks and shallow brush and largemouth along the banks on floating artificial worms and other soft plastic lures.

MOUNTAIN ISLAND LAKE: Very poor conditions with much debris floating.

UNION COUNTY LAKES: Excellent at Lake Lee for largemouth to 8 pounds. Fair to good for crappie at the others – Cane Creek Park, Lakes Monroe and Twitty.

RANKIN LAKE, GASTONIA: Fair for bass, bream and catfish.

YADKIN/PEE DEE RIVER LAKES: High and muddy at all reservoirs – High Rock, Tuckertown, Badin, Tillery and Blewett Falls. Despite the heavy influx of water, American shad and blue catfish continue to be caught at the Blewett Falls tailrace.

LAKES JAMES, RHODHISS, HICKORY: Heavily flooded and discolored.

FONTANA LAKE:  Good to excellent for smallmouth and spotted bass on shiners and topwater jerkbaits cast to the shoreline, especially in late afternoon.  Walleye on artificial worms and crawlers worked around pockets with patches of floating debris such as small sticks. Bass, trout and walleye on spoons trolled along the main channel from the dam to Big Island.

LAKE WATEREE: Floodwaters rushing down the Catawba River are likely to create conditions similar to those further up the chain of impoundments.

LAKE MURRAY: Continuing good for striped bass from the mid-lake area to the dam on practically all methods of fishing, from using live baits on downlines to casting bucktails to schools, which are feeding best just after sunrise.  Good for crappie 12-15 feet deep around bridges, brush and cocks.  Fair to good for largemouth on soft plastic lures.

LAKE THURMOND: Action remains good for largemouth and spotted bass on flukes and swimbaits around the points.  Stripers, hybrids near the dam and at creek mouths on live herring trolled under planer boards.

SANTEE COOPER LAKES: Largemouth are still in 6 feet of water and less and hitting soft plastics and spinnerbaits.  Crappie are 6-8 feet down around brush.

LAKE HARTWELL: Stripers, hybrids on live baits worked around shallow points.  Largemouth in the shallows  on soft plastics and topwater lures.

LAKE KEOWEE: Some flooding likely because of runoff from mountain rains.  Depending on developments, largemouth and spotted bass could continue to be caught on soft plastics cast to the secondary points.

LAKE JOCASSEE: Flooding also expected following heavy rains last weekend in mountain areas across the state line in North Carolina.

OUTER BANKS: Nags Head area: Blues in the 3-pound range in the surf and at piers.  Good “runs” of whiting at piers; Oregon Inlet: Good to excellent offshore for blackfin tuna,  wahoo and yellowfin tuna offshore; Hatteras Island: Limits of good-sized dolphin along with blackfin tuna, dolphin, wahoo and large grouper offshore.  Black drum, blues, croaker, flounder, sheepshead and whiting in the surf from Rodanthe to Hatteras Village; Ocracoke Island: Red drum to 50 inches in the surf along with lots of good-sized whiting and black drum; Morehead City area: Plentiful blues along the beach.  Black drum, blues and whiting at piers.  Blackfin tuna and wahoo offshore.  Black drum and sheepshead at the artificial reefs.

SOUTHEASTERN N.C. COAST: Good numbers of keeper-sized flounder in the backwaters, along with puppy drum and trout.  Large wahoo offshore at the Swansboro Hole.  Black drum, blues, flounder and whiting at piers.

S.C. COAST: Little River/Cherry Grove area: Fine numbers of whiting in the surf and at the pier; Grand Strand area: Excellent for whiting in the surf and at piers, along with blues.  Gray trout at the 3-Mile Reef.  Wahoo offshore; Charleston area: Good for reds in the backwaters on mud minnows and chunks of blue crab cast to the edges of marsh grass; Beaufort/Hilton Head area: Plentiful sheepshead on fiddler crabs worked 5-15 feet deep around jetties and pilings.

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<b>Freshwater fishing</b> trends

Mountains Area

Lake Jocassee:

Trout: Good. Trout fishing is still going strong. Blind trolling 30-50 feet deep in the main lake is also working, with spoons and stick baits the size of shad/herring working at first light and live bait more productive as the sun comes up. Very soon the surface bite should start and the fishing should be very strong for the next 3-4 weeks.

Lake Keowee: (unchanged from April 25)

Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Good. Guide Brad Fowler reports that as of a couple of days ago large numbers of fish still had not come shallow on Lake Keowee, and outside of the warm mid-lake area fish were generally still pre-spawn. The best action for these pre-spawn fish has been found around secondary points and just outside of pockets fishing with soft plastics. Very soon bass should move en masse to the banks and the spawn should be fully underway across the lake.

Lake Hartwell:

Catfish: Good. Captain Bill Plumley reports that channel catfish are making their move shallow and feeding, and concentrating in depths of 1-8 feet of water has been most productive. Stinkbait has been working best but cut herring will also produce. The action for blue catfish has slowed a bit, but concentrating in 15-30 feet of water in creeks and at the mouths of creeks is the best bet. Cut herring and shad are both working.

Crappie: Good. Captain Bill Plumley reports that crappie are up shallow around the banks, with some fish already having spawned but the majority post-spawn. Concentrate in 1-10 feet of water around the bank grass that grew up when the lake was down. Long-line trolling as well as casting minnows or jigs under a cork will catch fish. Piedmont Area

Piedmont Area

Lake Russell:

Catfish: Fair to good. Guide Wendell Wilson reports that catfish can be caught anchoring on long points and fishing cut herring in 8-10 feet of water.

Crappie: Fair. Guide Wendell Wilson reports that after a very strong spawning blitz crappie fishing has slowed down on Lake Russell. The best pattern is trolling 1/16 ounce jigs in the backs of creeks in 5-10 feet of water early and late in the day. Fish are also starting to move to brush in the same depth range.

Lake Thurmond:

Crappie: Good. Captain William Sasser reports that crappie were still spawning on Clark’s Hill as of a couple of day ago, and these fish can be caught spread out around the banks in the backs of any of the main creeks. Fishing jigs or minnows under a bobber around shallow cover has been productive, and casting jigs to docks and reeling has also been working. Solid numbers of fish are also in 8-12 feet of water out from the spawning areas, and even the post-spawn fish have not started to group up on the deeper brushpiles yet.

Catfish: Good. Captain William Sasser reports that catfish are cruising the flats and they have been caught by anglers fishing cut bait off the banks, particularly in the Parksville area. A 58 pounder was caught off the bank on a surf rod recently.

Lake Wylie: (unchanged from April 25)

Largemouth Bass: Good. FLW Professional and Guide Matt Arey reports that Lake Wylie bass are in a full-blown spawning mode with the majority of fish up shallowing getting ready to spawn, spawning, or recovering from the spawn. Fish can be caught along the banks throwing soft plastics including a weightless floating worm, wacky-rigged Senkos, and Texas rigs for fish actually on the beds. For fish orienting to docks use jigs. Both sight-fishing and blind fan-casting in areas where fish are bedding will work. Because water temperatures have risen quickly shad have begun to spawn, but because the bass spawn is still underway there are less fish than usual feeding on these shad. Still, fish can be caught on swimbaits and chatterbaits fished in areas where shad are spawning.

Midlands Area

Lake Greenwood: (unchanged from April 25)

Largemouth Bass: Good. Veteran angler Stan Gunter reports that bass are up shallow and they should stay there for a while. Large numbers of fish are pre-spawn or bedding, and each day more fish are post-spawn. Topwater lures such as Pop-Rs and floating worms in white, yellow and merthiolate will catch fish, and Bang-O-Lures are also productive. The dock bite has also been pretty good and fish can be caught flipping jigs and soft plastics.

Catfish: Fair. Captain Chris Simpson reports that channel catfish have been caught drifting in water as shallow as 2 feet and as deep as 30, with 4-10 feet the most productive range overall. Creek runs and large shallow flats have been best, but that changes often so be prepared to adjust accordingly. Herring and shrimp have been the best baits.

Lake Monticello:

Catfish: Fair to good. Captain Chris Simpson reports that he has started catching fish in the shallower range of 5-40 feet right now instead of in their winter-time haunts of 60+ feet. The backs of coves and humps and points in that depth range have been most productive, and drifting or anchoring have both been working. There are plenty of fish out deep but at times it seems as if the shallow fish are more aggressive. Big cut gizzard shad and white perch are working for big fish, and if you want to put any size fish in the boat small cut herring is tough to beat.

Lake Wateree:

Crappie: Very good. Will Hinson of the Southern Crappie Tournament Trail reports that now is the time to get out on Lake Wateree for crappie. Large numbers of fish are on the banks spawning in 6 inches of water out to 8 feet. All of the major creeks have fish, and they can be caught around shallow cover, docks, and bridges. Long-line trolling, tight-lining, casting minnows and jigs under a cork, and jigging are all productive right now. This peak period of the crappie season should last a couple more weeks before the fishing falls off into a post-spawn funk.

Largemouth Bass: Good. Guide Dearal Rodgers reports that bass are in full spawn at Lake Wateree. They are spawning so hard that it can be difficult to get a bite on any technique besides bed fishing. Jigs and worms will both work for fish on the beds.

Lake Murray:

Bream and shellcracker: Fair to good. Captain Brad Taylor reports that bream and shellcracker are on the verge of spawning, and on the May full moon there should be a wide open spawn. For now fish secondary points with nightcrawlers on the bottom.

Catfish: Fair to good. Captain Chris Simpson reports that fish are still scattered in various depth ranges, but the bite is getting more consistent. Both drifting and anchoring can catch fish, and anglers need to be willing to try a variety of depth ranges. Cut herring has worked as well as anything, but it’s a good idea to be prepared to use different baits.

Largemouth bass: Fair to good. Veteran Lake Murray tournament bass angler Captain Doug Lown reports that fish at all three stages of the spawn – pre-spawn, spawning, and post-spawn – can be caught on Lake Murray right now. This should continue well into May as water temperatures have stayed relatively cool. It’s hard to go wrong fishing soft plastics in the shallows right now, including shakey heads, flukes and Texas-rigged worms. Herring are starting to spawn on Lake Murray and a few bass are starting to key on them. For now this bite is day to day, but the herring bite should get better and more reliable. There is not much of a topwater bite yet but once water temperatures hit about 70 degrees topwaters and swimbaits should be wide open.

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April events at Texas <b>Freshwater Fisheries</b> feature fun, food, fishing

There’s no better example of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department motto “Life’s Better Outside” than April events at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center.

Outdoor Fools Day April 6 will be followed by the Athens Big Green Egg Fest April 13. Up to five rainbow trout per angler can be harvested free at TFFC during both events. No license is required to fish at TFFC. Those wishing to harvest fish should bring a cooler or stringer since none are available at TFFC.

Improving your outdoor skills is the focus of Outdoor Fools Day. The event showcases outdoor recreation opportunities in East Texas while teaching some of the skills needed to enjoy them, such as camping, fishing, outdoor cooking, birding and more.

Openings are still available for cooks, so if you’ve been thinking about becoming an Egghead, now’s your chance. You can sign up to cook, taste or buy an Egg at www.athenseggfest.wordpress.com. The site also includes recipes from last year’s event to tempt your taste buds.

Both Outdoor Fools Day and the Big Green Egg Fest will run from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. While all Outdoor Fools Day activities are free with paid admission, an additional fee is charged for tasting at the Big Green Egg Fest. Those who preregister online can taste for $5; the fee on-site is $10. All proceeds benefit the Friends of TFFC.

The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is located at 5550 F.M. 2495 in Athens, about 75 miles southeast of Dallas. Admission is $5.50 for adults, $4.50 for seniors, and $3.50 for children age 4 through age 12.

For more information visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us/tffc or call 903-676-2277. A TFFC app is also available for both Apple and Android devices from their respective app stores.

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of alvinsun.net.

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Is New Zealand&#39;s <b>Freshwater Fishing</b> Under Threat?

Could the future quality of New Zealand's world-famous freshwater fishing be under threat? The Chief Executive of Fish and Game New Zealand seems to believe so and has made a plea to local anglers to send comments on proposed changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) and also the Freshwater Reform Proposals before the submittal deadlines of April 2nd and 8th 2013.

The below message was sent to all subscribers of 'Reel Life' - the newsletter of Fish & Game New Zealand.

25th March 2013

Future of freshwater fishing under threat 

The present government is hell-bent on wrecking the RMA. The key points are as follows:

The RMA is being dramatically changed to allow the development and degradation of sports fish and game habitat by farmers and industry.Lowland streams will have no legal recognition so will become 'farm drains'.Water Conservation Orders will ultimately go, with their previously recognised habitat protection and recreation values lost in one- size-fits-all 'regional plans'.Practically all the substantive case law that has been developed over the years around environmental protection (much of it with Fish & Game licence fees), will be lost.Current protection of the habitat of trout and salmon will be scrapped.

This is a plea for all anglers to ensure they have their say on the future of the RMA, the only real safeguard we have against rampant, unsustainable development of the freshwater resources trout and salmon rely on for survival.

You only have until 5.00pm April 2, 2013 to submit on the RMA.

Submission on the equally devastating Freshwater Reform proposals must be received by 5.00pm April 8, 2013.

Don't worry if you have never made a submission before – it can be as simple or as complex as you choose to make it, the most important thing is that you have a say.

Information on how to make a submission, suggested points to make in your submission, and where to send it are on our RMA resource page here.

Please, stand up for freshwater quality protection and the future of angling in this country – it's in your hands.

Bryce Johnson 

Chief executive 

Fish & Game NZ

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54.3-pound blue catfish sets new mark for Texas <b>Freshwater Fisheries</b> Center

ATHENS—Jordan Rethmeier of Garland and his father often fish in Lake Zebco, the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center’s stocked casting pond. They’ve caught some big catfish, but Saturday, March 16, produced the biggest yet, a new water body record blue catfish.

Jordan reeled in a 54.3-pound fish that was 47 inches long and 31 inches around.

Lake Zebco covers about 1.5 acres. A stream enters one end of the pond, and fishing piers line both sides. At the opposite end the pond widens and deepens, and that’s where Jordan was fishing.

“The bait was a whole four-inch gizzard shad set two to three feet below the bobber and left to drift as the wind blew it across the pond,” he said. “I was using a heavy spinning reel with 50-lb. braided line on our standard big-fish pole that we never thought would get seriously tested by anything. We set the pole down and flipped the bail so if it got a bite the fish wouldn’t haul off with it; it’s a good idea if you want to keep your rod and reel!”

Jordan sat down to rig a trout pole, and suddenly his dad yelled, “Jordan your bobber is gone and it’s not coming back up!”

Jordan continued his story. “The fish took the bait as all the other big ones do in that pond. They grab it and start swimming off. There is no playing around with those catfish. Once they decide to eat it, they rarely if ever let go. He took off on his first run, and I felt his full power! My eyes got big when I saw the huge swirl he made on the surface of the water! My dad said he must be a good one, 15 maybe 20 pounds.

“This fish was big and fighting like it; you could feel the power in every tail stroke! When he would start to get close to shore he would peel off line and head back for the middle of the pond. The difference with this fish was the endurance he had. He just would not tire out and kept peeling line whenever he would get close to the bank. There was one point when he went into a roll, and I thought I was going to lose him. When they do that it sometimes dislodges the hook. We didn’t get a look at him for quite a few minutes, but after each run, my dad kept raising his guess as to his weight, 20 to 25, another run, 30 pounds?

“Then we caught a glimpse of him and my dad just said, ‘OH MY! We may need a golf cart to haul him to the scales!’ The fight must have lasted eight minutes or more—just a tug of war with him taking line whenever he came in close and me pulling him back in afterwards. Thankfully he got tired out just before I did! I pulled one last time and got him close in, where my dad managed to grab him and pull him up on shore with my assistance since it was a bit too heavy for him alone. We both were speechless, and just knew we had a BIG one but didn’t know how big! Fortunately a TFFC staff member arrived with the golf cart to put him in, and it was off to the big scale. I was exhausted! We weighed him and measured him and couldn’t believe the numbers! 54.3 pounds, 47 inches long, and 31 inches around! All I could do was smile. We took him back to the pond and made sure he was doing OK and let him go. Truly a magnificent fish!”

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<b>Freshwater fishing</b>

March 15, 2013

Santee Cooper System

Catfish: Fair. In both lakes the catfish bite has been inconsistent, with fish feeding well some days and other days being a little slower. After a prolonged period of low water temperatures the catfish’s metabolism will inevitably slow and they will feed less. Move from deep to shallow water depending on the location of the fish. Try drifting gizzard shad chunks or anchoring with cut baits, and don’t be afraid to look shallow. Crappie: Fair. With the cold water crappie fishing has dropped off, and fish are in a winter pattern. Fish are moving out of brush and moving along the ledges and creek channels.

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Midlands area

Lake Wateree

Catfish: Good. Catfish are scattered across the mudflats in 18 to 20 feet of water. Fresh gizzard shad or cut perch are among the most productive baits, and perfect bait sized 4 to 5 inch gizzard shad are thick in the channel and can be cast netted with a heavy cast net of 8 foot diameter or more. Look for the continuous band of bait from 20 to 30 feet down. Striped Bass: Fair. Striped bass fishing has slowed considerably in the last couple of weeks although live shiners or herring in the lower part of the lake will still produce. Look for schools of bait in the Colonel’s Creek area. Largemouth Bass: Slow. Lake Wateree bass fishing remains difficult and the fish seem to be turned off. Try finesse fishing very slowly with soft plastics, or slow roll spinnerbaits along the bottom.

Lake Greenwood

Catfish: Good. Drift cut bait across shallow flats at these times. A cold snap will push the baitfish back out to deeper water and slow the fishing considerably. Crappie: Good. Crappie action has been good at the forks of the Reedy and Saluda Rivers, and also below the 72 Bridge in the Quarters Creek area. Drifting and spider rigging in 12 to 20 feet using worms and jigs seems to be the ticket. Striped Bass: Fair. Few striper reports are coming in, but the best striper action is being reported jigging spoons in 25 feet of water. There is still some schooling activity being reported.

Lake Monticello

Catfish: Good. Patience is very important right now to catching big blues on Monticello. The most consistent way to catch big fish is to anchor on humps with baitfish nearby when you are marking fish underneath them; it make take the catfish a long time to feed, but eventually they will.

Lake Murray

Crappie: Fair to good. Lake Murray crappie fishing has been feast or famine recently, and on some days anglers are wearing the fish out and then the next day no one seems to get a bite. Most anglers are concentrating on the Kempson’s Bridge area up the lake and tight-lining in 10 to 12 feet of water. Purple and yellow jigs are the go-to color. Catfish: Fair to good. Blue cat bite is inconsistent from day to day, and the fish seem to be scattered and moving a lot. Best action is coming for channel and white catfish, which are holding in 10 to 15 feet of water on flats adjacent to the channel. Drifting cut herring is most effective. Largemouth Bass: Slow. Anglers fishing recent tournaments have had tough time, and just weighing in a fish has usually been enough to at least put you in the middle of the pack. Despite warmer air temperatures bass have stayed deep; try Carolina rigging with green worms or fishing Tennessee shad or shad colored crankbaits.

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Piedmont Area

Lake Russell

Crappie: Fair. Fish small to medium minnows or slider jigs in 6 to 12 feet of water around tree tops. Largemouth Bass: Slow. After feeding well for much of the early winter the largemouth bite has really slowed down. Try live herring or jigging spoons in deep water by the Lake Russell dam in 30 to 50 feet. Striped Bass: Slow. Very few fish are being caught right now.

Lake Thurmond

Striped and Hybrid Bass: Good. After being down for several weeks the striper fishing has really improved, and even some bank fishermen report really getting into the fish. There is good fishing in the Little River area, and the fish are starting to stack up down close to the dam. However, these fish are not feeding aggressively, although they may turn on when water temperatures start to warm. Crappie: Good. Look for 20 feet of water in creeks and fish only 2 to 4 feet below the surface. Best jig colors are black and chartreuse, brown and yellow, black and yellow, and black and chartreuse.

Lake Wylie

White perch: Good to very good. White perch action continues to be hot, particularly at night and in the Crowders Creek area, although on some days the schools may be difficult to locate. Look for large schools in 18 to 24 feet, and fish live minnows vertically or small spoons. Crappie: Fair. Crappie are still in deeper water, and 18 to 20 feet is good a depth to start prospecting. A good Lake Wylie pattern is to find deep boat docks or marina structure and drop a chartreuse jig all the way to the bottom and slowly wind up. Slabs can be caught this way on Wylie right now. Catfish: Fair. Cold water can slow the channel cat bite on Lake Wylie, but for blue cats this can be a good time to drift the deep flats on the middle to lower lake with cut bait.

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Mountains Area

Lake Jocassee

Trout: Good. Fish are suspended from 40 to 50 feet deep up to the surface over 100 to 200 feet of water. Target them with Bad Creek trolling spoons, or by trolling or drifting large minnows. Black Bass: Fair. Bass fishing has improved slightly, although pressure remains very low and few reports are coming in. Fish in 20 to 30 feet of water using dark green swamp crawler pumpkinseed worms Texas or shaky-head rigged, or try deep diving plugs. Catfish: Slow. A few catfish are being caught with cut bait fished on the bottom in 60 to 70 feet of water in the rivers.

Lake Keowee

Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Fair. Lake Keowee bass fishing is improving, but water temperatures are still very cold. The predominant pattern remains fishing very deep and slow with drop shot rigs or doodling shaky head worms. Target fish in 30 to 70 feet of water.

Lake Hartwell

Striped and Hybrid Bass: Good. Striper and hybrid fishing is good, particularly in the Conneross area, and some very nice fish continue to be caught. Trolling the major creeks is working well, and umbrella rigs are very productive right now. Look for the birds which will tip you off to where the bait and fish are. Largemouth Bass: Good. Bass are still doing well although up and down temperatures have slowed the fishing a bit from two weeks ago. Fish jigging spoons, crankbaits, or drop shot rigs in 10 to 30 feet around secondary points, at the mouths of major creeks, and on main channel points. Fish are also being picked up fishing jigs around deep structure and brushpiles.

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Best Tasting <b>Freshwater Fish</b>

In this order:

1. Walleye

2. Yellow Perch

3. Northern Pike

Not a huge fan of trout or salmon, but I've been told the dime bright specimens I bring home for the grill or the smoker are outstanding.

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Report cites continued growth in <b>freshwater fishing</b>

Freshwater angling is growing in economic importance in B.C. and the Thompson-Nicola region is among the hot spots, a new report says.

The economic impact report, commissioned by Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C., states that freshwater fishing's economic impact has grown to more than $546 million a year in direct spending, an increase of $23 million annually since 2005.

In relative terms, anglers spend three times more on equipment than downhill skiers and add almost as much as cruise ship passengers to the provincial economy.

Participation is also growing, a trend that is expected to continue, the report says.

Using data from the 2010 Survey of Recreational Fishing in Canada, the report shows that the number of anglers in B.C. grew by six per cent from 2005.

Benefits of the expanding industry are concentrated in certain regions. The Thompson-Nicola region, with 18 per cent of the economic impact, is second only to the Lower Mainland.

The region also placed second in total fishing package expenditures, with almost $4 million spent on lodge, guided charter boat or fly-in fishing packages. Direct economic benefits in the region total $99 million.

Results of the study show that the industry remains strong despite the economic slowdown in 2008, said Don Peterson, president of the Freshwater Fisheries Society.

"It's positive news for the province as a whole," Peterson said. "A significant number of B.C. anglers live in urban areas and fish in rural areas, which represents a transfer of economic activity from urban to rural."

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<b>Freshwater Fishing</b> (March 28)

1 Around Lakeland, Trenton Gilileo and Pauline Jarvis landed two bass — 10.80 pounds and 11.21 pounds flipping wild shiners around points and underwater structure at Saddle Creek Park. Adam Shuck caught a 9-pound bass on a red shad worm along the grass edges at Saddle Creek, reports Phillips Bait and Tackle. Lake Parker continues to turn out bass 7-9 pounds with an occasional 10 or bigger flipping cattails and cane grass. Bass up to 7 pounds at Tenoroc. Specks still good at Tenoroc on lakes 3, 4, 5 and B, and decent at Saddle Creek.

2 At Auburndale, Rochelle and Haines producing a few bass up to 6-7 pounds on topwater lures — frogs (Booyah Pad Crasher), buzzbaits and hardplastic baits — when conditions are right, reports Ron Schelfo at Ron's Tackle Box in Lake Alfred. Bass up to 4-5 pounds decent on bigger of Twin Lakes. Anglers braving the cold bringing in a lot of handsized shellcracker on Rochelle and Alfred, both along shoreline ledges and off docks with red worms.

3 At Winter Haven, mid-sized bass pretty good on Howard, Summit and Shipp, with topwater bite developing when winds aren't kicking up. Ron Schelfo said fishermen hooking up on Cordell Pencil Poppers and Booyah Pad Crasher frogs, or most soft plastic frogs. Specks still strong off dock behind McDonald's on Lake Howard, with a few shellcracker starting to show. Schelfo said fishermen catching catfish while going for specks or shellcracker on south chain. Water low in many canals on south chain, but you can still get through some of them.

4 At Lake Hamilton, mid-range bass most active on days preceding cold fronts. Still a few specks, but soon it will be shellcracker and bluegill.

5 At Lake Marion near Haines City, mixed bag with mostly specks and a few panfish, reports Eileen O'Leary at Bannon's Fish Camp. Shellcracker are bumping shallow lily pads, but no big catches yet. Specks hitting jigs or minnows in the area of Hermit's Dock and the southeast corner.

6 At Lake Pierce, bass and bluegill were decent before cold front, reports Jennings Resort. Bass 2-5 pounds hitting 10-inch worms, spinnerbaits and wild shiners. Some bluegill hitting minnows offered by speck fishermen, who are getting 8-15 per trip 9-10 inches. Just a handful of shellcracker.

7 At Lake Hatchineha, one fishermen released three bass 7-8 pounds up shallow on dark-colored frogs (junebug, watermelon red Horny Toad or Lane Toad-color Cane Toad), reports David Glenn at the Port Hatchineha campground. But bass off and on with cold fronts. Speck fisherman kept a dozen 12-13 inches and threw back smaller ones at hourglass.

8 At Lake Toho, Billy Mount III of Enterprise boated a 10.15-pound bass Sunday in the PVA Citrus Slam, which was won with 19.68 pounds. There was an 11-pounder released on a guide trip with wild shiners, reports Cody Detweiler at Big Toho Marina. Johnny Cisneros and Ismael Garcia produced 18.70-pound stringer Saturday in Mosaic tournament, with a 6-pounder for Garcia. Shad starting to bunch up, which should bring on schooling bite as it warms up. Specks picked up with cold snap in front of Red's. Water down 7 inches in the past week to 53 feet above sea level.

9 At Lake Kissimmee, Joe Bennett released a 12.20-pound bass Friday on a plastic worm while practicing for weekend tournaments, and added a 9-pounder in a law enforcement tournament, reports Leo Cosce at Camp Lester. John Wayne of Club Florida hauled up a 9.90-pound bass and won Florida Bass Federation Nation tournament March 17 with 25 ? pounds. Andrew and John Beeman weighed in 8 ?-pounder Sunday in Camp Mack Team Tournament, won with 24 pounds in 25-30 mph winds. Group from Alabama staying at Grape Hammock caught a lot of bass 4-6 pounds on wild shiners, reports Lacey Chandley. Bass mostly in 3-4 feet around isolated patches of vegetation on worms, Senkos, Flukes and frogs. Report of bass schooling in North Cove. Some fishermen going below State Road 60 locks into the river. Limits of shellcracker bedding in lily pads got a lot of attention late last week before cold front. Patty and Stan Reed brought in a limit of very good-sized shellcracker 1-1 ? pounds Saturday on red worms, Cosce said. He and Frank Kees caught 70 shellcracker in 3 hours last Thursday. Limits fairly common on beds around the lake, including Brahma Island. Specks hanging in there in lily pads/grass on jigs and minnows, and could spawn through new moon, but starting to thin out, Cosce said. Cosce caught 27 specks mostly 10-11 inches with one 14 ? inches Wednesday morning on jigs. No bluegill yet. Water 64 at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

10 At Lake Walk-in-the-Water, Joe McGuire landed a 10.87-pound bass Sunday in the Lake Wales Po' Boys tournament. Bobby Abbatoy and Phil Hayes won with 40.16 pounds for two days.

11 At Crooked Lake at Babson Park, bigger bass quiet over past couple of weeks, but return of warm weather should spark bite.

12 At Frostproof, look for bass to perk up once cold fronts ease off, and that should be soon. Lake Reedy producing bass up to 5 pounds.

13 In the phosphate pits south of Mulberry and Bartow, bass 5-8 pounds are more common now in bedding areas and over rock piles.

Freshwater Fishing (March 28)By DEL MILLIGAN TheLedger.comMarch 29, 2013 11:20 AM

1 Around Lakeland, Trenton Gilileo and Pauline Jarvis landed two bass — 10.80 pounds and 11.21 pounds flipping wild shiners around points and underwater structure at Saddle Creek Park. Adam Shuck caught a 9-pound bass on a red shad worm along the grass edges at Saddle Creek, reports Phillips Bait and Tackle. Lake Parker continues to turn out bass 7-9 pounds with an occasional 10 or bigger flipping cattails and cane grass. Bass up to 7 pounds at Tenoroc. Specks still good at Tenoroc on lakes 3, 4, 5 and B, and decent at Saddle Creek.

2 At Auburndale, Rochelle and Haines producing a few bass up to 6-7 pounds on topwater lures — frogs (Booyah Pad Crasher), buzzbaits and hardplastic baits — when conditions are right, reports Ron Schelfo at Ron's Tackle Box in Lake Alfred. Bass up to 4-5 pounds decent on bigger of Twin Lakes. Anglers braving the cold bringing in a lot of handsized shellcracker on Rochelle and Alfred, both along shoreline ledges and off docks with red worms.

3 At Winter Haven, mid-sized bass pretty good on Howard, Summit and Shipp, with topwater bite developing when winds aren't kicking up. Ron Schelfo said fishermen hooking up on Cordell Pencil Poppers and Booyah Pad Crasher frogs, or most soft plastic frogs. Specks still strong off dock behind McDonald's on Lake Howard, with a few shellcracker starting to show. Schelfo said fishermen catching catfish while going for specks or shellcracker on south chain. Water low in many canals on south chain, but you can still get through some of them.

4 At Lake Hamilton, mid-range bass most active on days preceding cold fronts. Still a few specks, but soon it will be shellcracker and bluegill.

5 At Lake Marion near Haines City, mixed bag with mostly specks and a few panfish, reports Eileen O'Leary at Bannon's Fish Camp. Shellcracker are bumping shallow lily pads, but no big catches yet. Specks hitting jigs or minnows in the area of Hermit's Dock and the southeast corner.

6 At Lake Pierce, bass and bluegill were decent before cold front, reports Jennings Resort. Bass 2-5 pounds hitting 10-inch worms, spinnerbaits and wild shiners. Some bluegill hitting minnows offered by speck fishermen, who are getting 8-15 per trip 9-10 inches. Just a handful of shellcracker.

7 At Lake Hatchineha, one fishermen released three bass 7-8 pounds up shallow on dark-colored frogs (junebug, watermelon red Horny Toad or Lane Toad-color Cane Toad), reports David Glenn at the Port Hatchineha campground. But bass off and on with cold fronts. Speck fisherman kept a dozen 12-13 inches and threw back smaller ones at hourglass.

8 At Lake Toho, Billy Mount III of Enterprise boated a 10.15-pound bass Sunday in the PVA Citrus Slam, which was won with 19.68 pounds. There was an 11-pounder released on a guide trip with wild shiners, reports Cody Detweiler at Big Toho Marina. Johnny Cisneros and Ismael Garcia produced 18.70-pound stringer Saturday in Mosaic tournament, with a 6-pounder for Garcia. Shad starting to bunch up, which should bring on schooling bite as it warms up. Specks picked up with cold snap in front of Red's. Water down 7 inches in the past week to 53 feet above sea level.

9 At Lake Kissimmee, Joe Bennett released a 12.20-pound bass Friday on a plastic worm while practicing for weekend tournaments, and added a 9-pounder in a law enforcement tournament, reports Leo Cosce at Camp Lester. John Wayne of Club Florida hauled up a 9.90-pound bass and won Florida Bass Federation Nation tournament March 17 with 25 ? pounds. Andrew and John Beeman weighed in 8 ?-pounder Sunday in Camp Mack Team Tournament, won with 24 pounds in 25-30 mph winds. Group from Alabama staying at Grape Hammock caught a lot of bass 4-6 pounds on wild shiners, reports Lacey Chandley. Bass mostly in 3-4 feet around isolated patches of vegetation on worms, Senkos, Flukes and frogs. Report of bass schooling in North Cove. Some fishermen going below State Road 60 locks into the river. Limits of shellcracker bedding in lily pads got a lot of attention late last week before cold front. Patty and Stan Reed brought in a limit of very good-sized shellcracker 1-1 ? pounds Saturday on red worms, Cosce said. He and Frank Kees caught 70 shellcracker in 3 hours last Thursday. Limits fairly common on beds around the lake, including Brahma Island. Specks hanging in there in lily pads/grass on jigs and minnows, and could spawn through new moon, but starting to thin out, Cosce said. Cosce caught 27 specks mostly 10-11 inches with one 14 ? inches Wednesday morning on jigs. No bluegill yet. Water 64 at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

10 At Lake Walk-in-the-Water, Joe McGuire landed a 10.87-pound bass Sunday in the Lake Wales Po' Boys tournament. Bobby Abbatoy and Phil Hayes won with 40.16 pounds for two days.

11 At Crooked Lake at Babson Park, bigger bass quiet over past couple of weeks, but return of warm weather should spark bite.

12 At Frostproof, look for bass to perk up once cold fronts ease off, and that should be soon. Lake Reedy producing bass up to 5 pounds.

13 In the phosphate pits south of Mulberry and Bartow, bass 5-8 pounds are more common now in bedding areas and over rock piles.

Copyright 2013 TheLedger.com - All rights reserved. Restricted use only.

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Economic benefits of <b>freshwater fishing</b> growing in BC

Freshwater fishing's economic impact has grown to over $500 million dollars a year in direct spending, and this economic activity is spread across all regions of the province.

Participation in freshwater fishing is also growing and predictions are the trend will continue, according to the results of the just-released 2013 BC Freshwater Sport Fishing Economic Impact Report. The report also highlighted potential for future growth - and showed that reinvestment of fishing licence revenues in BC's stocking, conservation and angler outreach programs is yielding increasing economic returns.

Using data from the 2010 Survey of Recreational Fishing in Canada, which has been conducted every five years since 1975, the report shows that the number of active anglers province wide grew 6% from 2005. These anglers represent over $546 million a year in direct expenditures on goods and services including accommodation; fishing, boating and camping equipment; licence sales; packages; air and ferry transportation expenditures and fishing supplies. After adjusting for inflation, freshwater fishing annually contributed $23 million more in direct expenditures than in 2005. Anglers also spent more per fishing day, $142 and $131 per day in 2010 and 2005 respectively.

While the benefits of this expanding industry are felt across the province, specific impacts vary by region. The Cariboo region received 11% of angling effort in the province, and was one of the preferred destinations by international anglers. The direct economic impact of freshwater fishing for the Cariboo region is $57 million. The Thompson-Nicola region received 18% of provincial angling effort, second only behind the Lower Mainland. The Thompson-Nicola region also placed second in total fishing package expenditures, with almost $4 million being spent on lodge, guided charter boat and fly-in fishing packages. The direct economic impact for the Thompson-Nicola region is $99 million.

"Angling is an increasingly important industry in the province - one that has remained strong despite the economic slowdown in 2008," says Don Peterson, President, Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC. "It's positive news for the province as a whole. A significant number of BC anglers live in urban areas and fish in rural areas, which represents a transfer of economic activity from urban to rural."

Freshwater sport fishing brings substantial revenue to the province of BC.

Highlights from the report include:

3,119 person years of employment (up from 2,500 person years in 2005)286,167 active anglers (up from 270,800 in 2005)$545 million in direct angler expenditures (up from $480 million in 2005)Every $1 invested in services delivered by the Freshwater FisheriesSociety of BC returned an average of $24 in angler expenditures (up from $21 in 2005).

"BC's user-pay model of fisheries service delivery is having a positive impact on enhancing public fishing opportunities and is also generating positive economic outcomes for the province," says Peterson.

The FFSBC is a private, not-for-profit organization largely funded by anglers through freshwater fishing licence revenues. It works in partnership with Provincial fisheries managers to deliver fish stocking programs that support 50 per cent of all fishing in B.C. lakes, conservation fish culture services for sturgeon recovery programs, and initiatives to enhance participation and access to fishing for all British Columbians. Stocking programs deliver between 6 and 8 million fish annually in 800 lakes and streams throughout the province. Through these programs, the FFSBC is working to ensure BC has the best freshwater fishing in North America.

Freshwater Fishing and the BC Economy was commissioned by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC and was prepared by Megan Bailey (Environmental Policy Group, Wageningen UR) and U. Rashid Sumaila (Fisheries Centre, UBC).

The economic impact estimates in the document are based on the 2010 Survey of Recreational Fishing in Canada.

For more information and to see the full report visit the FFSBC's website at www.gofishbc.com.

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<b>Freshwater fishing</b> report March 23

Santee Cooper System

Catfish: Slow to fair. Captain Jim Glenn reports that the catfish bite has been slow and erratic, with weather systems seeming to have a negative impact. Better fishing should be nearby as temperatures warm and hopefully stabilize. For now anglers have had some limited success with blue catfish both shallow and deep fishing cut bait. Largemouth bass: Slow to fair. Captain Jimmie Hair reports the few that were caught could be very nice fish. The best pattern has been fishing square billed crankbaits 7-9 feet deep out in front of spawning areas at the mouths of creeks and outside of backwater ponds. Around eel grass a Rattle Trap has been effective for triggering reaction bites. On sunny afternoons fish have been coming shallower.

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Midlands area

Lake Wateree (unchanged from March 14)

Crappie: Fair. A few fish are moving shallower and can be caught on long lines trolling in 6-14 feet of water. The best areas are around the creeks and specifically Beaver and Wateree and also on the main lake.

Lake Greenwood (unchanged from March 14)

Crappie: Fair to good. Tournament angler Russell Riley reports that crappie are near the river channel and he is catching them a couple of feet off the bottom in 14-18 feet of water. When water temperatures start to warm fish will first move vertically in the water column, and the next move will be shallower towards the mouth of creeks. A combination of jigs and minnows is working. Largemouth Bass: Fair. There continues to be some scattered schooling activity across Lake Greenwood, with bass, striper, and some other species all mixed together. Fish can also be located by following the birds, and bass, striper and white perch can all be caught jigging spoons underneath the birds when fish are not on the surface. Some decent bass are also being caught fishing crankbaits off points, and on warmer days some fish can be found in the backs of coves.

Lake Monticello (unchanged from March 14)

Catfish: Good. Patience is very important right now to catching big blues on Monticello. The most consistent way to catch big fish is to anchor on humps with baitfish nearby when you are marking fish underneath them.

Lake Murray

Shellcracker: Fair to good. Lake World advises that shellcracker are feeding on the lower end of the lake in 2-8 feet of water. Fish nightcrawlers around points with shells nearby. Catfish: Fair to good. Captain Chris Simpson reports that fishing has gotten more consistent. Warm days will scatter fish across shallower flats in 15-25 feet of water, and cooler temperatures will push them back into 30-50 feet in the channel. The best technique has been drifting with cut herring for blues and channels, and the key to catching fish is being willing to adapt to conditions on the water and search for the fish. Largemouth bass: Fair. Veteran Lake Murray tournament bass angler Captain Doug Lown reports that the numbers of fish being caught are still relatively low, but some very nice fish are being landed. Fish are generally still being found in 8-12 feet of water around secondary points, at the mouths of bays and pockets and other staging areas. Shakey head worms and crankbaits have both been effective.

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Piedmont Area

Lake Russell

Crappie: Fair. Guide Wendell Wilson reports that crappie are not shallow yet but should be very soon. For now fish can be caught trolling 1/16 ounce jigs 3 or 4 feet off the bottom in 12-15 feet of water around the mouths of larger creeks. In the next few days fish should be caught fishing jigs under floats around the shallows. Striped bass: Fair. Guide Wendell Wilson reports that a very large striper was recently caught on the lower end of the lake. For now the best pattern is free lining large herring or fishing them on planer boards across shallow points on the lower end of the lake.

Lake Thurmond

Crappie: Good. Captain William Sasser reports that some fish are being caught around the banks only a few feet deep, and others are still grouped up 15 or so feet deep over 30 feet of water in the troughs of coves. Black bass: Fair to good. Buckeye Lures in Augusta reports that bass are moving shallower and they can be caught on mop jigs and other Goby Sleds in staging areas.

Lake Wylie

Catfish: Slow to fair. Captain Rodger Taylor reports that the most likely pattern remains targeting the middle to lower end of the lake focusing on the riverbed, the mouths of deep creeks and adjacent deepwater flats. Blue cats will be moving back and forth from the riverbed to the flats, depending on a variety of factors, but they are generally following the bait movement. The best technique seems to be slow drift fishing in 30-55 feet of water, which allows anglers to cover lots of water looking for scattered fish. The best baits include gizzard shad and small pieces of cut fish (the size of a quarter coin). Channel catfish are also being caught, but in less numbers than blues.

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Mountains Area

Lake Jocassee

Black Bass: Slow to fair. Captain Pat Bennett advises that Lake Jocassee bass fishing is still mostly in a winter pattern, but better spring fishing is right around the corner. Until water temperatures warm a few more degrees look for bait schools on your graph in deeper water, and then lower down a jigging spoon or drop shot rig. Very soon fish will start to move up shallower around the first drop off from the bank as they begin to stage for the spawn.

Lake Keowee

Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Good. Guide Brad Fowler that Lake Keowee bass were still essentially in a winter pattern before the warm spell hit, but that will change any day now as temperatures rise. A drop shot rig was a very effective way to target them. 80 degree days will quickly push fish towards a spring pattern.

Lake Hartwell

Crappie: Slow to fair. Captain Bill Plumley reports that a few crappie have been caught casting tiny jigs around docks. Fish can also be caught trolling 20-25 feet deep in the creek channels. Look for the bite to change quickly as temperatures rise. Striped and Hybrid Bass: Slow to fair. Captain Bill Plumley reports that striper are scattered all over the lake but the best pattern has been free-lining herring in the mouths of creeks and across main lake points. The biggest fish have been caught on large gizzard shad fished the same way, and a few striper have been picked up on umbrella rigs.

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Florida&#39;s <b>Freshwater Fishing</b> Blog

Welcome to Florida’s new Freshwater Fisheries Blog Site hosted by Florida Sportsman and written by the folks at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Our intent in this blog is to provide you with a stream of useful information to enhance your enjoyment and understanding of our diverse and exceptional freshwater fishing opportunities.

Florida is the “Fishing Capital of the World” due to great resources and responsible management, and the numbers back up the claim. Southwick Associates published the “Sportfishing in America: An Economic Force for Conservation, 2013? for the American Sportfishing Association. This report is based on a study done by the Census Bureau for the US Fish and Wildlife Agency every five years, which determines the value and amount of outdoor recreation in each of the 50 states, and is entitled “The 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.”

The latest report documented that Florida ranked #1 with 3.1 million anglers (#2 New York had 1.9 million), and total expenditures of $5 billion (#2 New York had $2.7 billion). Florida’s role as the fishing destination for travelers was also overwhelmingly reaffirmed, with 2 million non-resident anglers visiting the state (#2 Michigan had 347,000). The ripple effect of these dollars was an $8.7 billion economic impact that supported 80,211 jobs in Florida.

Specific to freshwater in 2011, Florida had 1.2 million anglers. They enjoyed 25.7 million days fishing (#2 Texas had 22.6 million), spending almost a billion dollars and generating an economic impact of $1.7 billion, which supported more than 14,000 jobs. Largemouth bass are the most popular recreational fish throughout North America, and in Florida 62 percent of the freshwater effort was dedicated to fishing for largemouth bass.

As a result, the FWC in 2009-10 worked with anglers (7,500 responses) and representatives of the fishing community including, tournament groups, outdoor writers, tackle manufacturers, bait-and-tackle shop owners, local tourism agencies and university scientists to create the long-term Black Bass Management Plan. The plan was adopted in June 2011, and one outcome was development of a new TrophyCatch angler recognition and reward program that began in Oct. 2012. Although the plan is science-informed, it is designed to integrate the needs and desires of anglers. As an example, the FWC is currently conducting a largemouth bass regulations review and wants your input.

Future blogs will be more focused on individual topics, but we wanted to take this opportunity to familiarize you with the scope of activities that we will be covering. We look forward to listening to your comments and becoming a useful resource for you.

About the Authors

Florida’s Freshwater Fishing Blog is brought to you by folks at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission who are dedicated to managing your freshwater fish resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people like you. Reach them at Freshwater.Fisheries@MyFWC.com

John Cimbaro works in the southern part of the state. He authors the City Fisher Newsletter and will provide input on local fishing conditions and events.KP Clements, the TrophyCatch Program Coordinator, will generate exciting updates on this angler recognition reward program.Dustin Everitt works in central Florida and will be letting you know about conservation projects and fishing conditions there.Justin Hill, the outreach coordinator for freshwater fisheries research, will write about the science behind fisheries management.Rick Stout, Florida Bass Conservation Center Coordinator will inform you of stocking programs and their effects.Bob Wattendorf, a fisheries scientist with over 30 years experience in Florida is author of the Fish Busters’ Bulletins and also serves on the boards of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association and Get Outdoors Florida. He will keep you informed about youth and adult outreach activities and happenings in Tallahassee that affect your fishing.

Together we’re here to provide answers about everything and anything to do with freshwater fisheries management, research and enjoyment in Florida.

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<b>Freshwater fishing</b>

March 15, 2013

Santee Cooper System

Catfish: Fair. In both lakes the catfish bite has been inconsistent, with fish feeding well some days and other days being a little slower. After a prolonged period of low water temperatures the catfish’s metabolism will inevitably slow and they will feed less. Move from deep to shallow water depending on the location of the fish. Try drifting gizzard shad chunks or anchoring with cut baits, and don’t be afraid to look shallow. Crappie: Fair. With the cold water crappie fishing has dropped off, and fish are in a winter pattern. Fish are moving out of brush and moving along the ledges and creek channels.

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Midlands area

Lake Wateree

Catfish: Good. Catfish are scattered across the mudflats in 18 to 20 feet of water. Fresh gizzard shad or cut perch are among the most productive baits, and perfect bait sized 4 to 5 inch gizzard shad are thick in the channel and can be cast netted with a heavy cast net of 8 foot diameter or more. Look for the continuous band of bait from 20 to 30 feet down. Striped Bass: Fair. Striped bass fishing has slowed considerably in the last couple of weeks although live shiners or herring in the lower part of the lake will still produce. Look for schools of bait in the Colonel’s Creek area. Largemouth Bass: Slow. Lake Wateree bass fishing remains difficult and the fish seem to be turned off. Try finesse fishing very slowly with soft plastics, or slow roll spinnerbaits along the bottom.

Lake Greenwood

Catfish: Good. Drift cut bait across shallow flats at these times. A cold snap will push the baitfish back out to deeper water and slow the fishing considerably. Crappie: Good. Crappie action has been good at the forks of the Reedy and Saluda Rivers, and also below the 72 Bridge in the Quarters Creek area. Drifting and spider rigging in 12 to 20 feet using worms and jigs seems to be the ticket. Striped Bass: Fair. Few striper reports are coming in, but the best striper action is being reported jigging spoons in 25 feet of water. There is still some schooling activity being reported.

Lake Monticello

Catfish: Good. Patience is very important right now to catching big blues on Monticello. The most consistent way to catch big fish is to anchor on humps with baitfish nearby when you are marking fish underneath them; it make take the catfish a long time to feed, but eventually they will.

Lake Murray

Crappie: Fair to good. Lake Murray crappie fishing has been feast or famine recently, and on some days anglers are wearing the fish out and then the next day no one seems to get a bite. Most anglers are concentrating on the Kempson’s Bridge area up the lake and tight-lining in 10 to 12 feet of water. Purple and yellow jigs are the go-to color. Catfish: Fair to good. Blue cat bite is inconsistent from day to day, and the fish seem to be scattered and moving a lot. Best action is coming for channel and white catfish, which are holding in 10 to 15 feet of water on flats adjacent to the channel. Drifting cut herring is most effective. Largemouth Bass: Slow. Anglers fishing recent tournaments have had tough time, and just weighing in a fish has usually been enough to at least put you in the middle of the pack. Despite warmer air temperatures bass have stayed deep; try Carolina rigging with green worms or fishing Tennessee shad or shad colored crankbaits.

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Piedmont Area

Lake Russell

Crappie: Fair. Fish small to medium minnows or slider jigs in 6 to 12 feet of water around tree tops. Largemouth Bass: Slow. After feeding well for much of the early winter the largemouth bite has really slowed down. Try live herring or jigging spoons in deep water by the Lake Russell dam in 30 to 50 feet. Striped Bass: Slow. Very few fish are being caught right now.

Lake Thurmond

Striped and Hybrid Bass: Good. After being down for several weeks the striper fishing has really improved, and even some bank fishermen report really getting into the fish. There is good fishing in the Little River area, and the fish are starting to stack up down close to the dam. However, these fish are not feeding aggressively, although they may turn on when water temperatures start to warm. Crappie: Good. Look for 20 feet of water in creeks and fish only 2 to 4 feet below the surface. Best jig colors are black and chartreuse, brown and yellow, black and yellow, and black and chartreuse.

Lake Wylie

White perch: Good to very good. White perch action continues to be hot, particularly at night and in the Crowders Creek area, although on some days the schools may be difficult to locate. Look for large schools in 18 to 24 feet, and fish live minnows vertically or small spoons. Crappie: Fair. Crappie are still in deeper water, and 18 to 20 feet is good a depth to start prospecting. A good Lake Wylie pattern is to find deep boat docks or marina structure and drop a chartreuse jig all the way to the bottom and slowly wind up. Slabs can be caught this way on Wylie right now. Catfish: Fair. Cold water can slow the channel cat bite on Lake Wylie, but for blue cats this can be a good time to drift the deep flats on the middle to lower lake with cut bait.

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Mountains Area

Lake Jocassee

Trout: Good. Fish are suspended from 40 to 50 feet deep up to the surface over 100 to 200 feet of water. Target them with Bad Creek trolling spoons, or by trolling or drifting large minnows. Black Bass: Fair. Bass fishing has improved slightly, although pressure remains very low and few reports are coming in. Fish in 20 to 30 feet of water using dark green swamp crawler pumpkinseed worms Texas or shaky-head rigged, or try deep diving plugs. Catfish: Slow. A few catfish are being caught with cut bait fished on the bottom in 60 to 70 feet of water in the rivers.

Lake Keowee

Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Fair. Lake Keowee bass fishing is improving, but water temperatures are still very cold. The predominant pattern remains fishing very deep and slow with drop shot rigs or doodling shaky head worms. Target fish in 30 to 70 feet of water.

Lake Hartwell

Striped and Hybrid Bass: Good. Striper and hybrid fishing is good, particularly in the Conneross area, and some very nice fish continue to be caught. Trolling the major creeks is working well, and umbrella rigs are very productive right now. Look for the birds which will tip you off to where the bait and fish are. Largemouth Bass: Good. Bass are still doing well although up and down temperatures have slowed the fishing a bit from two weeks ago. Fish jigging spoons, crankbaits, or drop shot rigs in 10 to 30 feet around secondary points, at the mouths of major creeks, and on main channel points. Fish are also being picked up fishing jigs around deep structure and brushpiles.

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CDFW issues <b>freshwater fishing</b> regulation pamphlet

The state Department of Fish & Wildlife has issued its pamphlet of sport fishing regulations for 2013-14.

Changes this year include new regulations on sturgeon, salmon and steelhead retention, new areas where hatchery trout or steelhead may be retained, and a black bass slot limit removal on five waters. Regulation changes are highlighted in the front of the pamphlet for quick reference.

New sturgeon fishing regulations establish a new method of measuring sturgeon and a new size limit of 40-60 inches. Barbless hooks are required when fishing for sturgeon and snares are prohibited. Fish longer than 68 inches fork length may not be removed from the water. For more information: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=58288&inline=1.

Salmon and steelhead anglers in inland valley waters can not fillet steelhead or salmon until they reach their permanent residence, a commercial preservation facility or the fish is being prepared for immediate consumption. All steelhead and salmon must remain in such a condition that their species and size can be identified.

Anglers will be allowed to harvest hatchery trout and hatchery steelhead in most catch and release areas under new regulations.

There will be no slot limit regulation for black bass in McClure, Millerton, Oroville, Orr and Siskiyou lakes. The statewide standard daily bag limit and 12-inch minimum total length regulations will apply on these waters.

Other changes include:

· Yellow Perch have been removed from the sunfish bag limit. Yellow perch have a year-round season with no bag limit.

· Spearfishermen will be allowed to harvest striped bass by spearfishing in the Valley District and all of Black Butte Lake will be open to spearfishing.

· Eulachon may not be taken or possessed.

· Wolf Creek (Mono Co.), Chowchilla River, and Eastman Lake will be open to fishing.

· The Sisquoc River will be closed to all fishing all year to protect listed steelhead.

· Silver King Creek tributaries (Alpine Co.) below Tamarack Lake Creek will be closed to all fishing all year to protect threatened Paiute cutthroat trout.

· Davis and Pine creeks in Modoc County will be closed to the harvest of trout. Catch and release fishing is allowed.

· Smith River Low Flow Regulations - The minimum flow trigger on the Smith River has been increased from 400 cubic feet per second to 600 cubic feet per second.

· Eight amphibians and three reptiles have been removed from the list of species authorized for take with a sport fishing license.

There are other changes to the freshwater sport fishing regulations, so please review all of the 2013-2014 regulations pertaining to the species you intend to pursue.

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Bill would remove possession limits for <b>freshwater fishing</b> on Toledo Bend

A state lawmaker is proposing a bill that would remove the possession limits for freshwater recreational fishing on Toledo Bend Reservoir.

House Bill 109, by Rep. Frankie Howard, R-Many, is pre-filed for the legislative session which begins April in Baton Rouge.

Current law outlines daily take limits and possession limits for freshwater recreational fishing on the reservoir.

According to current law, the possession limits are two times the daily take limits. The law also authorizes the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to amend rule size limits, daily take limits, possession limits, seasons and times.

Under Howard's proposal, the commission's authority to amend by rule the possession limits for recreational fishing on Toledo Bend Reservoir would be removed.

You can read the full bill here: http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=828729

The bill has been assigned to the House Natural Resources Committee.

Copyright 2013 KPLC. All rights reserved.

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Lindner Inducted into <b>Freshwater Fishing</b> Hall of Fame

Bill Lindner has been inducted into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame as a Legendary Communicator for his significant and lasting contributions to angling. This award is the highest honor that can be bestowed on someone in the sportfishing community. Bill joins his father Ron, brother James and uncle Al as fellow inductees. With over 36 years behind the lens, Bill Lindner is an internationally recognized outdoor photographer in the fishing, hunting and food preparation arenas. Chances are you have witnessed Bill’s photographic work on the covers of national sportfishing magazines, in print ads, on tackle and marine television commercials, and on the Internet. Bill Lindner’s underwater fish strike scenes are legendary. His unique underwater and dramatic action images (both still and motion) have appeared on postcards and calendars, and brought to life numerous television shows, DVDs, videos and internet content.

A lifelong sportsman, Bill’s knowledge and passion for fishing and the outdoors is reflected in every image. He has won three major Canadian bass tournaments, was the 2004 Storm Angler of the Year, and is a longtime member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America with numerous “Best in Craft” photography awards. Bill, along with his wife Kay, have authored countless articles and have
published a cookbook entitled Recipes From Nature: Foraging through the Seasons.

Based in Minnesota, Bill’s assignments have taken him from the Canadian Wilderness to the jungles of South America as well as the South Pacific. Some of his magazine credits include Outdoor Life, Saltwater Sportsman, Field and Stream, In-Fisherman, and North American Fisherman.

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Books: &quot;Smart Guide to <b>Freshwater Fishing</b>&quot;

Canton, NY, Dec 20, 2012 — Freezing temperatures late last week didn't deter avid angler Mike Seymour from heading out for muskies on the St. Lawrence River. Seymour has been a licensed fishing guide in the North Country for over 25 years, and is a prolific outdoor writer.

He's sharing some of his knowledge in a new book. The Smart Guide to Freshwater Fishing covers everything from fishing terms, to trolling to the best fishing times. Todd Moe spoke with Captain Mike about his new book, and love of fishing.

Seymour enjoys fishing because it allows him to get outdoors, in the midst of nature. He releases about 90% of the fish he catches.

This time of the year Seymour fishes for muskies out of Morrisville, Ogdensburg and Massena. “We fish as long as we can get a boat in,” Seymour said. He didn’t catch a musky last week, but his son did.

The first part of Seymour's book teaches the reader about fishing, with sections for getting started; what gear to get, techniques, what baits to use (both artificial and live), where, how and when to find fish, how to release fish, how to handle fish, how to prepare fish to eat, ethics, rules and safety, and more.

Following that are sections on both fly fishing and ice fishing, along with an information section on the 50 most popular freshwater species in North America. “The book actually has a North American perspective. So that was a challenge for me—to present something in the book that people all over the United States and Canada might find useful for them,” Seymour explained.

“Fishing is just something everyone can do at some level, whether they’re just sitting on a dock, or for the guy who has the big boat. It's just something for everybody, and it gets everybody outdoors. No matter what your skill levels are, everyone can fish.”

Mike Seymour will sign copies of "The Smart Guide to Freshwater Fishing" at the Brewer Bookstore in Canton, from 1 - 3 pm on Saturday.

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License-free saltwater, <b>freshwater fishing</b> coming soon

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The first week of June is National Fishing and Boating Week. This year, start and end the week’s festivities by taking advantage of one of Florida’s license-free fishing days.

Saltwater recreational anglers can fish without a license on June 2 and freshwater recreational fishers on June 9. There couldn’t be a better time to get out on the water and try your hand at some of Florida’s fine fishing on these two Saturdays.

Thirty-four states, including Florida and Georgia, will have license-free fishing days during the June 2 through June 10 National Fishing and Boating Week, a celebration of fishing and boating.

“Florida’s license-free fishing days are an excellent opportunity to share the fun, excitement and togetherness of a fishing trip with the entire family. This also is a great time for experienced anglers to introduce friends to the sport, even if they don’t have a fishing license,” said Nick Wiley, FWC executive director. “By having these events on weekends, we hope Florida residents and visitors will experience the joy of saltwater and freshwater fishing. We expect many will discover a healthy sport they can enjoy for a lifetime.”

Saltwater anglers can try their hand at catching a red snapper, which will be open for harvest in Gulf and Atlantic state waters and Gulf federal waters on the June 2 saltwater license-free fishing day. Want to stick a little closer to shore? Try your hand at near-shore species such as spotted seatrout or red drum.

Now that school is out or almost out and people are in vacation mode, anglers will find June a great time to introduce a child to fishing or encourage a friend who hasn’t been fishing for a while to get on the water.

According to the FWC, almost everyone in Florida is within 45 minutes of a freshwater fishing hole. Dawn or dusk may be your best fishing times, but if you go midday, seek out the shadows around piers or fallen trees, or look for bass and bream under floating vegetation mats and in other shaded areas to enhance your success.

Fishing is a low-cost form of entertainment, which is why the FWC offers four days when a recreational fishing license is not needed.

Can’t make the June 2 or June 9 license-free fishing days? The FWC also made Sept. 1 a license-free saltwater fishing day, which not only falls on a holiday weekend, but is during the popular bay scallop and spiny lobster seasons.

Each year, the first Saturday in April and second Saturday in June will be license-free freshwater fishing days.

The state’s abundant resources, coupled with responsible freshwater and saltwater fish management, are why Florida is known by some as the “Fishing Capital of the World.”

All other bag limit, season and size restrictions apply on these dates.

To make your fishing day successful, check out MyFWC.com/Fishing for fishing tips, locations and rules.

Visit MyFWC.com and click on “Calendar” to learn more about boating-safety events during National Fishing and Boating Week and year-round.

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License-free saltwater, <b>freshwater fishing</b> days

Saltwater recreational anglers can fish in Florida without a fishing license today and a license won't be needed June 9 to fish in the state's freshwater rivers, streams and lakes.

The first week of June is National Fishing and Boating Week and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is offering license-free fishing on the two Saturdays to encourage residents to experience the state's fishing opportunities.

“Florida’s license-free fishing days are an excellent opportunity to share the fun, excitement and togetherness of a fishing trip with the entire family," said Nick Wiley, FWC executive director. "This also is a great time for experienced anglers to introduce friends to the sport, even if they don’t have a fishing license.

“By having these events on weekends, we hope Florida residents and visitors will experience the joy of saltwater and freshwater fishing. We expect many will discover a healthy sport they can enjoy for a lifetime.”

Saltwater anglers can try their hand today at catching a red snapper, which will be open for harvest in Gulf and Atlantic state waters and Gulf federal waters for the license-free fishing day. Want to stick a little closer to shore? Try your hand at near-shore species such as spotted seatrout or red drum.

Can’t make the June 2 or June 9 license-free fishing days? The FWC also made Sept. 1 a license-free saltwater fishing day, which not only falls on a holiday weekend, but is during the popular bay scallop and spiny lobster seasons.

Each year, the first Saturday in April and second Saturday in June will be license-free freshwater fishing days.

All other bag limit, season and size restrictions apply on these dates.

For more information check out www.MyFWC.com/Fishing for fishing tips, locations and rules.

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<b>Freshwater Fishing</b> Kicks into High Gear on May 5 with the Opening of the <b>...</b>

ALBANY, NY (05/03/2012)(readMedia)-- The fishing season for many popular warmwater sportfish, including walleye, northern pike, pickerel and tiger muskellunge, opens Saturday, May 5 and with this, most of New York's sportfish seasons will be open, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens announced today. This includes catch and release fishing for black bass (largemouth and smallmouth bass) in many waters across the state and the special trophy black bass season on Lake Erie where anglers can take one 20-inch or longer fish per day.

Bass anglers should check the New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide (www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7917.html) to ensure that the water they desire to fish is open to catch and release angling. Muskellunge fishing season and the regular (harvest) season for black bass open on the 3rd Saturday in June (June 16).

"New York provides exceptional warmwater fishing opportunities," said Commissioner Martens. "In fact, the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society recently ranked three of New York's lakes in the top 14 on their list of the 100 best bass lakes in the country. We hope all anglers find the time to enjoy these outstanding fishing opportunities in 2012 and encourage them to share their experience by introducing someone new to the sport."

Walleye are very popular springtime targets, and fishing opportunities now exist in more than 100 waters throughout the state. As part of ongoing management and research programs, DEC has stocked 56 waters with walleye fry or fingerlings over the last five years in almost all regions of the state. Spring also provides outstanding fishing opportunities for yellow perch, sunfish and crappie. These species are common throughout the state and provide easy fishing for even novice anglers. A popular sportfish in southern and Midwestern states, channel catfish also flourish in many of New York's larger lakes and rivers, provide a very tasty meal, and are state underutilized by anglers. Tips and locations for catching big channel catfish are available online at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/77432.html. A complete listing of 2012 warmwater fishing hotspots recommended by DEC biologists can be found on the DEC website.

DEC will continue a number of bass studies in 2012. These studies include an effort to assess black bass populations statewide, the investigation of black bass movements following bass tournaments on Lake Champlain and a tournament monitoring program on Oneida Lake. Participation from bass anglers will be requested for both tournament studies.

Use Baitfish Wisely

Anglers using fish for bait are reminded to be careful with how these fish are used and disposed of. Careless use of baitfish is one of the primary means by which non-native species and fish diseases are spread from water to water. Unused baitfish should be discarded in an appropriate location on dry land. A "Green List" of commercially available baitfish species that are approved for use in New York State has now been established in regulation. In most cases, these fish must also be certified as disease free. Personal collection and use of baitfish other than those on the "Green List" is permitted, but only on the water from which they were collected, and they may not be transported overland by motorized vehicle except within one of three defined overland transportation corridors. Please review the baitfish regulations webpage for details at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/47282.html.

Preventing Invasive Species and Fish Diseases

Anglers are also reminded to be sure to dry or disinfect their fishing and boating equipment, including waders and boots, before entering a new body of water. This is the only way to prevent the spread of potentially damaging invasive plant and animal species (didymo and zebra mussels) and fish diseases (Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia and whirling disease). Methods to clean and disinfect fishing gear can be found on the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/50121.html.

License requirements

Anglers 16 years of age and older must have a New York State fishing license available on line at www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6101.html or by calling 1-86-NY-DECALS. Fishing licenses can also be purchased from the 1,500 license issuing agents located throughout the state (town and county clerks, some major discount stores and many tackle and sporting goods stores). By law, every dollar spent on a fishing license helps fund programs conducted by the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources, including the fish stocking program.

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