Lake Chatuge Fishing Report – April 2024

Chatuge: Level: 5.6 feet below 1925. Temp: 56-57 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Guide Eric Welch, of Welch’s Guide Service, reports, “Fishing has been good. With the warmer weather, the water temps are rising, and the fish are trying to move up for the spawn. This is my favorite time of the year to fish. I will start my mornings out around mid lake, fishing long, clay points and pebble-rock banklines. The baits I fish the most in these areas are a 3.5-inch tube and a Ned rig. I’m targeting 6 to 18 feet of water, just casting and slow dragging with the occasional pop of the lure. There are so many banks that the spotted bass spawn on. Sometimes you will find a stretch that may have up to 10 fish on a 70-yard area. Sometimes it makes it hard to leave these areas, but once the sun gets up good, I’ve got to go look for the largemouth bedding. I will run pockets and the backs of docks. The baits I use normally are a white tube, Senko and a craw. If you see what I call cruisers that are swimming around but swims off every time you cast your bait in their area, try throwing a swimbait or a bream-looking glide bait. You always hear anglers talk about forward-facing sonar. If you have it, try running your unit and transducer in perspective mode. You’re going to be amazed at the fish you see in bedding areas that you never knew were there. Just remember this time of year is also the future of our fisheries, with these spawning fish. If you’re not fishing a tournament, don’t put these spawning fish in the livewell and ride them around all day to see what your biggest five fish will be. Let’s practice CPR (catch, photo and release). Good luck.”

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