Lake Eufaula Fishing Report June 2017

Eufaula: Level: Full pool. Temp: Low 80s. Clarity: Moderate stain.

Bass: Tournament angler Les Bratcher (#bigbitebaits #alxrods) reports, “Fishing on Lake Eufaula has been nothing short of amazing the last two weeks. Anglers can pick their choice of going shallow or to the ledges to get their bites. The water level remains almost at full pool, and the shallow bite on frogs and swim jigs has been fun. Some anglers reported catching as many as 30 to 40 keepers a day. The ledges are full of schools, with some big fish being caught on crankbaits, jigs and other deep-water tactics. The fishing should remain good as long as the water stays stable.” Guide Billy Darby reports, “My April and May predictions were blindsided by unexpected cold snaps, so with a little cooperation from Mother Nature, we will get it right in June, being that my reports are based on historical values and info from trusted Lake Eufaula anglers. We are at a surprising water level of 190 feet above sea level, which is full pool. And if this trend continues, expect bass to hang around shallower than normal patterns for late May and June. I am having very good luck dragging 10- to 15-foot-deep roadbeds and humps in 10 to 12 feet of water with Big Bite Fighting Frogs in about any color. Warmer water temps will drive most bass out to the ledges, where some good sacks have already been reported despite the high water. The very early morning frog bite is in full swing and will migrate to topwater plugs wherever you can find a mayfly hatch, which should explode near the full moon. Bream beds can produce a bass bonanza, where my lines will be pulling a bream-colored swimbait or a crawfish-colored jig.” Guide Sam Williams reports, “The river level remains up, leaving good water under the shallow cover, which makes punching that cover very productive. When the sun gets up, the baitfish retreat under this cover, and the panfish and bass will be feeding on them. When pitching the cover with a Texas-rig creature bait or worm, be sure and peg your weight to the hook, or the bait will separate from the weight and just hang shallow on the cover while the weight sinks down. Junebug and green pumpkin are good colors. Topwater is very effective now. The frog bite is working all day over the thicker cover—slow down in the small open pockets. Jigs are doing well on the outside edges of the cover. Use a creature bait trailer on your jig. Black or blue Trick Worms with a chartreuse tail are a good choice, too.”

Bream: Guide Billy Darby reports, “We missed the bream prognostication of peak spawning last month due to the severe frontal conditions that delayed the spawn. Bream will be there the full moon in June. Use your Humminbird on side view to find the dished-out beds near the shore and around docks.”

Crappie: “The crappie are still hanging over the tops of  man-made and natural tree shelters,” Billy Darby said. “I’ve been marking crappie that are hanging tight to structure in about 15 to 18 feet of water.”