Still tough out on Lake Donald and Kiefer..

[Mcfish]

I got to the lake at sunrise, expecting to see the regulars out on the water already...but no, I was alone. That tells you how tough the fishing is and the high water has made launching and parking a real challenge. I keep expecting the lake to go off every week, but it's still not happening! I float tubed the lake so I covered most of the west shoreline, put in 6 hours of serious fishing and only picked up 3 fish. They say they're taking out 25 mgd...but the water level has still gone up but should stabilize soon with no rain the last 2 weeks. If you plan on bringing your boat on the weekends, you'll be launching off of a narrow road which is now the temporary ramp. Both of the lower parking lots and the real ramp is all under water! Everything I've been throwing the last couple years isn't working this year..so far! There's lots of brush in the water and most of the popular rockpiles are in DEEP water! I ended up getting my fish on senkos,
after they ignored my flukes, underspins, spinnerbaits, t-rigs, nekos, crawbaits and even my dropshots! A few more of the usual regulars showed up, but most left by 10:00 or 11:00 and reported little success! The lake looks great, but not even the carp were doing their normal topwater displays! It could change any day..but you've been warned!

[RamonaAngler]

Good to see you out there yesterday morning.Sorry to hear you didn't catch a dozen bass at Sutherland. Good you found those 3. It's been very tough this year. I have been skunked 4 weekends in a row at Sutherland. The water level being so high, I think the fish are confused. Hopefully it will get better sooner than later. Gonna hit SV tomorrow, Monday. Hope the cold front coming in doesn't turn them off at SV. Thanks for the post!

[VinnyBass]

Nice job getting anything up there @mcfish. Heard it’s very very tough with all that extra water in the lake. Remember when I kidded you that you would have to launch near the concession stand after all the rains we were having…..I guess it was pretty much true. Anyway, at least you got some fish and they’ll be plenty more action soon. Hopefully the fishing will pick up in May and the warmer months ahead.
Thanks for sharing and tight lines always

[VinnyBass]

Good to see you out there yesterday morning.Sorry to hear you didn't catch a dozen bass at Sutherland. Good you found those 3. It's been very tough this year. I have been skunked 4 weekends in a row at Sutherland. The water level being so high, I think the fish are confused. Hopefully it will get better sooner than later. Gonna hit SV tomorrow, Monday. Hope the cold front coming in doesn't turn them off at SV. Thanks for the post!

It’s got to get better Brett ….hang in there.
Good luck tomorrow

[professionull]

That lake needs a few days with 85-90 degree weather to get those shad to spawn

[Mcfish]

The water is starting to warm, but still chilly water coming down the creeks into the arms at both ends of the lake.

[otaymichael]

It's a blessing getting sooooo much water in all our lakes, but it sure has put a damper on the bite overall. Strange, as the water temp isn't all that cold at most.

[Tnwoody]

water temp 72 to 74 on sunday 04/30

[Mcfish]

A couple days of temps in the 80s definitely had to help the water temps! Those kind of temperatures should have the shad moving in and the carp spawning and I wasn't seeing any of that on friday. Hopefully the weekend turned it around! Even the crappie bite seemed to be mostly nonexistent this spring, after a couple good years! A very strange year...time to turn it around! This coming month should see the lakes stabilizing and give us more of what we're use to!

[Tnwoody]

Nope no crazy carp spawn going on Sunday and did see a few small fish explode when cast my baits to certain areas, couldnt tell if it was fry or shad, but definitely no big shad/bass blow up seen. Appears a little muddy for that and water stil coming in around the lake.