Lake Nottely Fishing Report – May 2007

Nottely: Level: 9.2 feet below full pool. Temp: mid 60 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: For largemouths, throw spinnerbaits, flukes and jigs around brush and blowdowns back in the pockets. For spots, hit windblown main-lake and secondary points with firetiger Shad Raps, flukes — either leadhead or Fish Head Spin types — and small white bucktails.

Striper/hybrids: Good. Nottely guide Josh Garrison said that prior to the late freeze in April the stripers had been up the river, and he had been doing well on big fish. “We went 11 days without a fish under 20 pounds,” said Josh. The cold snap, however, served to scatter the fish all over the lake. “Some of the fish went on the spawning run, some didn’t said Josh. “As soon as the weather straightens out, they should be back up the river.” By the first of May, Josh expects to be back up the river above the Canal Lake ramp fishing live gizzard shad or trout on planer boards and freelines. “I have had downlines out, but I haven’t done a thing on them,” he said. “The fish are shallow.” Down the lake, he said there are schools of hybrids between Point 4 and Point 7. There has been a little schooling on top in the evening between points 6 and 7. When the fish come up, topwater baits like a Sammy will catch fish. If you throw artificials up the river, Josh recommended big swim baits or unweighted flukes in white or rainbow trout colors. For nighttime fishing, throw a Red Fin. Go to <fishgarrison.com> for more details on Nottely linesides fishing.