Area lakes and ponds need forecast to come true

Somewhat dry conditions remain area-wide, which results in area lakes, ponds and rivers with low water levels.
At Reelfoot Lake, even though the lake is low, crappie fishing is good. The TWRA went around the lake and cleaned out behind many of the ramps in the water, which should make it easier with the low water conditions to unload and load your boats. The TWRA is doing everything they can to help make things easier.
Speaking of Reelfoot, water levels still remain around 24 inches below normal. At mid-week, Reelfoot was hanging around 280.20 feet below sea level. Normal level is 282.20 feet above sea level. The levels can be observed on the USGS website. Now, with the rain we are suppose to receive today and tomorrow, that can only help, even if it is a little bit. What the lake needs is several periods of rains that will saturate the grounds around Reelfoot and then have some runoff into the lake.
Water temps at Reelfoot are in the mid-60s. Cooler weather is on the way starting tonight and will last for several days, so look for the water temps to drop starting tomorrow several degrees over the next few days.
Gibson County Lake near Trenton remains extremely low as well. I was down there Monday and Tuesday. By what I could tell, it is at least 7 to 8 feet low. This has been making it a little tougher unloading and loading your boats but the TWRA folks have been down there working on the ramp for a temporary fix and it has helped. They are also working on a new dock area for the lake with a handicap accessible walkway. This is going to be a long process and may take a few weeks or months to get this job completed. I didn’t have any problem unloading or loading my boat. Just take it easy. Water temps at Gibson County Lake are 63 to 64 degrees. Water color is good.
The Mississippi River remains very low as well. This plays a big role in the water levels in Reelfoot Lake. If the river is normal to a high level, what stays in Reelfoot longer with the water table around the lake high at that time. If the river is low like it is now, most any rains we receive around here soak right into the grounds and doesn’t raise the lake much at all.
OCCHS fishing
Last Saturday, the Obion County Central High School Bass Team held one of their club tournaments and they fished Kentucky Lake around the Paris Landing area. At least 13 kids fished the tournament. First place went to the team of John Garrett and Jo Hamilton with 5 bass that tipped the scales at 14.71 pounds. Big bass of the tournament was caught by Alan Wilson that weighed 5.44 pounds. My plan is to keep updates for you on the team and individual success with the Obion County Bass Team. A big thanks goes out to everyone who volunteers as boat captains which are adults, most of whom are bass fishermen.
TWRA news
A groundbreaking ceremony was to have been held by the TWRA either yesterday for the new ramp and area surrounding the ramp at White’s Landing, otherwise known as the old Gooch’s Resort on the south end of Reelfoot Lake. This was held a day before the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission October meeting, which was held down at Reelfoot Lake today. The commission was to have set the 2013-14 sport fish regulations during its meeting today that was held at the Reelfoot Lake State Park near Tiptonville.
The TFWC was presented the 2013-14 fishing proposals at its August meetings by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
The proposals were to cover a variety of topics including Alabama rigs, skip jack herring, wild trout streams, walleye on Cherokee Reservoir, and bass on Pickwick, Parksville and Cordell Hull reservoirs. Other proposals limit the number of commercial fishing licenses, the addition of new commercial gear, and define waters open to commercial fishing. A complete list of the proposals can be viewed at the TWRA website, www.tnwildlife.org.
This is the commission’s first trip back to Reelfoot Lake for its monthly meeting in almost 3 years. Reelfoot Lake continues to celebrate its 200th celebrations.
Strike King
In the next week or two, I plan to share with you all about how the Strike King Lure Co. in Collierville is making its way to the top, if not already there, in the crappie industry. They have recently added nationally known crappie professional Wally “Mr. Crappie” Marshall to head up their touring pros adding already to their Crappie National Pro Staff members Tim Blackley, Jackie VanCleave, Doug Cherry and Mark Williams. I was able to sit down with Mr. Crappie himself in his office (his Ranger boat) while doing my interview with him. Strike King has a full line of crappie baits with more on the way as well as other things that are related to crappie fishing. Stay tuned.
Til next week’s column,
Catch ya on the water folks.
Brent

Published in The Messenger 10.26.12

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