Lake Russell Fishing Report – March 2007

Russell: Level: Down 0.3 feet below full pool. Temp: 48-50 degrees. Clarity: Mostly clear.

Bass: Slow for largemouths. After a warm spell, look for shad in the backs of the creeks, and fish spinnerbaits and small crankbaits. When the water temperatures hold above 56 degrees, look for schools of bass to move up on the ends of the points near channel ledges. Use crankbaits on the points, and also crank the middle of the timber in the spawning pockets. Down the lake south of Hwy 72, fish the main-lake rocky points with jerkbaits for some quality spotted bass.

Crappie: After a slow winter, the next week should bring back good crappie fishing. Guide Wendell Wilson said to start at the mouths of the major coves just off the creek channels in 15 to 25 feet of water. “I’d start at the bottom, trolling jigs about two feet off the bottom, and work your way up the water column,” Wendell said. “I expect them to really do a lot by the end of this week.”