Lums Pond Fishing Report

Current Fishing Report: Fair

Bass fishing is currently experiencing major changes in the way anglers are approaching the sport. The expanded use of high-tech fish finders is giving anglers, who fish from a boat, a distinct advantage. The fishing hasn't really changed, but the catch rate has increased considerably. The advent of new lures and equipment has improved success for anglers fishing from the bank as well. Savvy anglers, who study bass patterns, continue to catch nice fish, with or without the new gadgets.

There are some nice bass in Lums Pond, but it does get a lot of fishing pressure. Successful local anglers report catching bass using stealth tactics. Fishing very slowly, using small baits on light line, is working best for the better quality largemouths. Shoreline fishing is available at area #1 and area #5, plus there is a fishing pier.

WINTER. The cold of Winter has isolated largemouth around deeper structure, flats, points and creek channels. Water temperatures are currently in the low 40's, and bass can be found on the bottom, 6 to 8 feet deep, occasionally shallower on warm, sunny days. Often, some of the larger bass will isolate away from schools of smaller bass. They are currently being caught in the deeper water around the boat ramp, and along drop offs. Here they hold, feeding less frequently, awaiting warmer water to return in Spring. Slow presentations with drop shots, jigs, finesse worms, or lipless crankbaits are often the key to getting bites, just before, during and after, ice fishing.

SPRING. Once any ice melts, and water temperatures rise into the low 60's, largemouth will move from deep wintering holes, to shallower water near spawning areas. Anglers report good topwater action from mid Spring through Summer, especially early in the morning, and on cloudy days. Vibrating jigs, crankbaits, jerkbaits and spinnerbaits typically get bites just away from the shoreline. At this time they are feeding aggressively in about 4 to 6 feet of water, and preparing for the spawn. Once water warms into the mid to high 60's, they will move into 2 to 4 feet of water, and create nests, then lay their eggs. Immediately afterwards, females move to deeper water and males remain to guard the eggs, and then the fry. After a couple weeks, the males also move to slightly deeper water. Crankbaits, vibrating jigs, drop shots, plastic worms, jigs, and swimbaits catch bass during this period.

SUMMER. Water temperatures will warm considerably in Summer. Bass will feed shallow, early and late in the day, where they are typically caught in 1 to 4 feet of water, on topwater lures, square-bill crankbaits, spinnerbaits and a variety of other lures. During Summer, keep an eye on the thermocline to determine the maximum depth to fish, as there is very little oxygen below the thermocline. Largemouth bass here feed on shad, herring, small sunfish and crawfish. During the hotter parts of the day, they are being caught on points, channel edges, and ledges 4 to 8 feet deep. Wacky-rigged stick worms always catch finicky bass when the bite is slow.

FALL. When Fall arrives, bass here will follow schools of baitfish into coves and shallow bays where crankbaits, swimbaits, and slow-rolled spinnerbaits have been successful in prior years. In early Fall, anglers typically have success in 3 to 6 feet of water, around points and shallow flats leading to deeper water. As deeper water cools, bait and bass move out to contour drops. Some of the larger bass will seclude themselves away from the school, often in slightly deeper water.

Current Fishing Report: Slow

Both black and white crappie are being caught using new technologies, reducing the amount of time it takes to locate schools. Forward-facing sonar is allowing anglers, fishing from a boat, to locate schools and focus fishing time on areas with good numbers of crappie. This is true for trolling or casting. Anglers fishing from the bank still have to search the old fashion way, via test casting, until a school is located. Then, they are catching them just as anglers have for many decades.

WINTER. The current water temperature is in the low 30's, and now that the shallows have turned cold, crappie have migrated to deeper holding areas, mostly off shore. Currently they are being caught using a very slow presentation, in 6 to 8 feet of water. Most are caught around creek channel bends, deep brush piles, and main-lake contour drops. Good reports are coming from standing timber and brush piles, in the eastern arm. During warming trends, especially warm afternoons, they are drawn a bit shallower. Light tackle, with 4 lb to 8 lb line, is a popular choice.

SPRING. In early Spring, crappie begin staging in 3 to 6 feet of water, just outside spawning bays and shallow flats. Spring is prime time to be on the water, as both black crappie and white crappie have moved shallow to spawn. At that time, they are typically caught in 1 to 3 feet of water. Vegetation, docks, brush and lay-down wood are where most anglers catch crappie, using small crappie jigs or live minnows. After the spawn, crappie typically move outside the spawning area and hold on cover close by, in slightly deeper water.

SUMMER. Water temperatures get quite warm, and crappie fishing is usually pretty good. They feed in 2 to 5 feet of water early and late in the day, until the hot Summer sun causes them to retreat to depths of 4 to 6 feet. Also, a few have embedded in the shade of slightly shallower cover. This is a good time to focus around brush piles, deep lay downs, and docks with shade. Anglers are also locating schools of crappie hanging around creek channel edges.

FALL. As Fall begins cooling the shallows, baitfish, move into shallow flats, coves and bays, which draws crappie into these areas. They will be feeding heavily in preparation for the cold Winter, in 4 to 7 feet of water. Minnows, hair jigs, and crappie jigs, are good options during this feeding marathon. Late Fall which turns the shallows cold, starts pushing crappie deeper, toward winter holding areas. Good results typically come around points, creek channels, and brush piles.

Current Fishing Report: Poor To Fair

Bluegill are a primary food source for predator fish in the lake, as well as a sport fish which is fun to catch. Local anglers report decent size bluegill being caught using small pieces of nightcrawlers, on a small hook, tied to light line. Using a bobber allows you to set the best depth for the day.

WINTER. Cooling shallows have driven the bluegill back to deeper cover, in water ranging from 6 to 8 feet deep. In areas with no cover, anglers typically find them around sharp drops. Small baits, on light tackle, worked slowly are getting the best results.

SPRING. In early Spring, bluegill migrate from winter holding areas toward the shoreline areas, and are typically caught around 3 to 5 feet deep. As the water warms to the mid 70's they will begin the spawning ritual, building nests in 1 to 3 feet of water. Many of the bigger bluegill prefer to spawn a bit deeper, depending on water clarity. After the spawn, bluegill drop to around 6 feet deep. Small spinners and swimbaits, or jigs tipped with small pieces of nightcrawlers are good choices for catching a lot of bluegill in Spring.

SUMMER. Following the spawn, most of the bigger bluegill migrate to deeper water, around 2 to 6 feet deep. They prefer rocky or weedy areas, often hanging out on steep banks where they can move up and down to feed without having to travel a great distance. Small spoons and mini-crankbaits are catching some of the bigger bluegill. Earthworms also catch good numbers. Early and late in the day, anglers catch them in 1 to 4 feet of water.

FALL. Cooling, Fall weather drops the water temperature in the shallows and bluegill move shallow to feed, around the edges of weedlines in 3 to 6 feet of water. Steeper banks, and shallow areas with drop-offs, hold bluegill this time of year. Later in Fall, as the shallows get colder, bluegill will move out to deeper water, in many of the same areas.