Lake Chatuge Fishing Report – March 2024

Chatuge: Level: 6.9 feet below 1925. Temp: 43-45 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Guide Eric Welch, of Welch’s Guide Service, reports, “Fishing has been good. The past month we have had some nice, sunny days and not to mention it’s been warmer. Also with the days starting to get longer, the warmer temp will help bring the water temps back up, which means the bass will start moving up looking for food and areas to get ready to spawn in. I’ve been marking fish 18 to 45 feet deep out on main-lake ditches and way-off points. I’ve been targeting these fish with a drop shot and a 4.5-inch Roboworm or switching it up with a 3-inch minnow bait to try and match the herring that they’re feeding on. You can also catch some on a Ned rig, jig and a shaky head. This time of year is a good time to start using small swimbaits. I like throwing a Strike King 3.25-inch Rage Swimmer on a 1/4- to 5/16-oz. VMC swimbait hook. If you find a good school of fish off a point or in a ditch, try throwing a Flex-it spoon or a hair jig. Chatuge is full of herring baitfish, so fall and winter is a great time to throw a jerkbait or a small crankbait. If you want to just burn the banks, try paralleling and throwing a No. 5 Shad Rap or the new Strike King Gravel Dawg and the Berkley Dime. This is a great time of year to take a little time and work on your electronic skills, especially if you’re using forward-facing sonar. It will help to dial in your settings and also see how your baits work out in front of you. If you set it up right, you will be able to watch a jerkbait or crankbait come right over the brushpile or school of fish. If you get good at locating fish in the winter with your electronics, you will not have any trouble in the summertime. If you’re looking for a good workout, throw an A-rig all day long. You’re about guaranteed to catch fish or not be able to lift your coffee cup the next morning. Good luck.”

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