Lake Sinclair Fishing Report – May 2024

Sinclair: Level: 1.6 feet below 339 Temp: According to Randy Davidson on the Lake Sinclair Fishing Forum on April 29, who has a dock in Crooked Creek, the water temperature is 63-66 degrees and the water in clear in most parts of the lake. He said he’s heard no reports of muddy water on the lake.

Bass: Karl Pingry reports that Ed at Lakeside Chevron said there’s a shad spawn early where a white, three-bladed spinnerbait (willowleaf blades of chrome, gold and white) is tearing them up on the rocks, seawalls and grass. “A ChatterBait in the grass where you see the shad is also a good choice. Stick with those two baits and a 1/2-oz. chrome-and-blue Rat-L-Trap or a Shad Rap for the next hour or two after the shad stop doing their morning ritual. Last, fish an Ole Monster in Sinclair colors (black emerald or junebug red) along the seawalls, under docks or in the blowdowns. If you don’t find the shad spawn, Ed recommends a black clacker buzzbait for a big bite. There are still bass in all three stages of the spawn. A merthiolate Trick Worm will still catch all three and is a great choice around the hydrilla near Island Creek or where you find the hydrilla in Little River, Rooty and Crooked creeks, according to Ed. “One extra side note from Ed is to really work the areas where there you find a water color change,” Karl said. “The shad spawn is going to wind down in about two weeks. Ed says at that point start to look along the trees overhanging the water as the mayflies will help continue a good morning bite, as well as be places to fish all day. Any topwater that imitates a bluegill will be a good bait, along with a swim jig in either bluegill colors or dark colors, if it gets muddy. Squarebills, spinnerbaits, Trick Worms and shaky-head worms with a chartreuse tail will be great baits to try. I’m partial to a double-bladed prop bait like a Devil’s Horse myself. Docks, grasslines and fishing grass with a frog, popping frog, swim jig or ChatterBait will also really come into play as the shad spawn ends and the water continues to warm. May is a great month. Go see Ed for updates, and remember he has plenty of parking behind the store. ”

Lake Sinclair Page: Archived Articles & Fishing Reports