Lake Eufaula Fishing Reports – August 2020

Eufaula: Level: 1.3 feet below 190 full pool. Beginning Aug. 1, the corps will drop the lake to 186 to work on the dam. Temp: Upper 80s to low 90s. Clarity: Light stain to clear down the lake.

Bass: Tournament angler Les Bratcher reports, “Summer fishing here at Eufaula is in full swing with one difference—the corps has kept the lake around 190, which is full pool. The shallow bite has been real good due to the water level with frogs and plastics doing the trick. The ledge fishing, which our lake is famous for, has been scattered lately. The fish are there one day and gone the next. It seems the afternoon bite is better with current. When you do find a ledge school, the fish seem to be biting a slow presentation the best. The anglers I’ve talked to have been using worms, magnum shaky heads and jigs to generate bites. The lake is going to begin to fall in August for dam repair, and this should gang the fish up more out deep in the weeks to come. Till next time, tight lines and beat the heat.” Guide Sam Williams reports, “The fronts and changing barometric pressures have the bass confused, and the fishing has gotten tough. The shallow bite is still on, but it requires patience to finesse a strike. Wacky rigs with Senkos in blue or green are a good choice. A Snagless Sally spinnerbait worked through and around the pads and grassy areas will also produce a hit, as will a hollow-bodied frog. Popping topwater lures worked on the edges is a good idea to stir up a bass. Slow is the answer to keep a bait in front of the bass as long as possible to entice them to eat your lure. The deeper bass on trashpiles are biting swim jigs with a creature bait trailer and heavy Texas rigs with a big black worm with chartreuse tail. Watch for schooling shad, and hit these areas with a topwater plug, jerkbait or a lipless crankbait. The bigger fish will lay a little deeper under the feeding fish, and this is where you need your lipless crankbait cast beyond the school and worked back under the action. The weather and humidity are really tough right now. Get the family out early and enjoy God’s creation. The time spent together and memories made can’t be beat. Keep water and sunscreen with you.”

Crappie: Guide Sam Williams reports, “The crappie are hanging out on the trashpiles on the creek ledges. Locate these fish on your depthfinder, and work them with minnows and jigs. Once the sun gets high, you can try the shadow breaks under the bridges and causeways.”

Catfish: Guide Sam Williams reports,“Catfish are always fun and put up a great fight. Bottom fishing with big worms or cut bait can get some good-sized fighters. Jugs baited with shrimp or cut bait will keep you moving, chasing the jugs. This action is really exciting and can produce a fantastic meal.”

Note: It was announced last week that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will begin to drop the water level on Lake Eufaula to 186.0 to repair the damage done in 2018 by Hurricane Michael. Boaters and fishermen are warned to be cautious and safe when navigating the river during this draw-down period.

GON’s Lake Eufaula Page