Eleven Mile Reservoir

Eleven Mile Reservoir is open to boating. The trout are finally biting at Eleven Mile. Trolling has improved dramatically with most the action happening on the west end of the lake where the water has warmed to 50 degrees and up. Shore action has been good during random times of the day.
Fishing conditions for northern pike is fair to poor. The west end is where to be since the shallows is where the water will be warmer. Work the north shore from Stoll Mountain, all the way to Cross Creek. Stay on the shore in six to 10 feet of water. A few nice pike have been reported again this week, on Kastmasters and some tube jigs.
The dream stream is always a favorite of locals. Water temperature is in the mid 40's with a little color in the water from recent precipitation and melt. Low flows require nymphs size 18 to 22 inches in deeper pools and on the bends. Most of the spawning fish have moved back to the reservoir, but the resident trout fishing is heating up. Good reports of some very nice brown and rainbow trout this last week. Egg patt erns, black midge, San Juan worms are all suggested.

Beaverhead River

For dry flies, use a Quigley's Hackle Stacker (20), Extended Body BWO (18), Snowshoe BWO (18), X-Caddis tan (18) and Griffith’s Gnat (16-20). For nymphs tie on a tan or pink Firebead Soft Hackle (14-16), Pheasant Tails (16-18), pink Ray Charles (18), Tim's Cranefly Larvae (8), a pink Power Pupae (14) and pink or purple San Juan Worm. Streamers to use include natural Slumpbuster (8), copper Sparkle Minnow, all colors Rohmer’s CH Streamer, white Conehead Bow River Bugger, brown beadhead New Age Bugger and olive, yellow Beldar’s Rubber Legs.

Yakima River

Yakima River – Anglers were primarily fishing for smallmouth bass with a few anglers targeting channel catfish. The 41 bass anglers interviewed had harvested 362 fish and released 13, averaging 4.4 bass per hour.  From May 1 through May 8 an estimated 6,721 were harvested in the lower river. Bank angling for channel catfish during the daylight was slow with only 7 fish reported from all anglers combined.

Rio Grande:

 Stream flow below Elephant Butte as of Monday morning was 1,120 cfs. Fishing was fair to good using sassy shad, green and chartreuse curly tail grubs and minnows for walleye and a few small smallmouth bass. Fishing was fair to good using night crawlers and liver for catfish. Fishing in the Leesburg State Park area was very good using beef liver and plastics for channel catfish.

North Sterling fishing

The lake is 52 degrees and boat anglers have had success fishing near Goose Island using jigs and spinners for walleye. Boat anglers have also done well on the north side of the Darby Arm casting shad lures for walleye. A few wipers have started to come out near Darby Point. Shore fishermen have had minor success for catfish at night off the West Trailhead and the swim beach overflow parking area using shrimp and mussels. A few walleye were caught from shore in the Elks Bay across from the boat inspection station. Fishermen have been more successful in the morning and late evening when the fish are near the surface in shallower waters.

Black Hawk Lake

 

Water level is 9 inches over the crest of the spillway. Black Crappie – Good: Use a small jig fished below a bobber near shore. Most action has been in Town Bay and near the inlet bridge. Bluegill – Good: Large numbers of bluegill are being caught on jigs and also a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber. They are biting in all areas of the lake but most are having luck in Town Bay along shore and especially on the stone piers. Lots of 6 inch fish, but some anglers are picking up good numbers of 8 inch fish so some sorting is required. Walleye – Good: Walleye continue to be caught on the east side of the lake. Anglers are having good luck fishing evening and into the dark. Throw mid-sized twister tails, rooster tails and bottom-bounce a crawler near shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are hitting almost anything thrown at them right now in efforts to beef up before their spawning season. Use crawlers, crankbaits, plastics and topwater lures. Those fishing near the inlet bridge are experiencing the most action. There is a 15-inch minimum length limit for largemouth bass on Black Hawk Lake. Muskellunge – Fair: Anglers are picking up some over 30 inches. Those fishing crankbaits from a boat in 3-5 feet of water have had the most luck. There is a 40 inch minimum length limit on muskellunge.

Saginaw Bay

: The best walleye action was in 23 to 24 feet off Linwood and near the Spark Plug (Buoys 11 & 12) or northeast of Spoils Island in 20 feet. If you're the first one out there in the morning, you can catch fish casting right off the rocks around Spoils Island but the action slows fast when more boats show up and the fish move to deeper water. Walleye were caught off the Bay City State Park and the Kawkawlin River in 6 to 8 feet. Most are trolling purple crankbaits but a few fish were taken on pink and purple crawler harnesses. Walleye were caught off Quanicassee and some perch were taken straight off the mouth of the Quanicassee River in 6 to 8 feet. Walleye anglers were going out to the Slot and the Callahan Reef. Some fish were caught off Sebewaing and Bay Port. Surface water temperatures were low to mid 40's. Shore fishing for spring perch is about done.

Rocky Fork Lake

: Anglers are catching bass on black/blue jigs with a blue trailer around stumps and laydowns about 5-6 feet deep. Crappies are 8-12 feet deep around laydowns, hitting minnows and Bobby Garland Baby Shad in the monkey-milk color. For saugeyes, slow troll around the south beach with a chartreuse twister tipped with a piece of nightcrawler. Catfish are hitting nightcrawlers and chicken liver on the west end of the lake.