It's hot...Hot HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The weather is climing....the water is dropping.....and the fishing is starting to pick up a little bit. Lake Monroe has been decent with Bass biting topwater baits such as spooks, splash-its and Pop R's in the early morning and jigs later in the day. Fish points and banks close to the creek channel breaks for the best action.

Wipers are turning on with lots of wipers hitting topwater in early morning and late evening. Watch for the explosions when they are feeding on the schools of smaller fish...Crappie...shad or Bluegill. The wipers have began to show themselves pretty regularly.

Walleye are starting to show up, some nice walleye are being taken on the Fairfax and Moore's creek flats. Trolling or drift fishing seem to be the best methods.

Lake Lemon has been on fire, a lot of bass are being taken on crankbaits, spinnerbaits and topwater lures. Concentrate on areas close to deeper water for the best action. Crappie can still be caught close to the brush piles on minnows and jigs. Some perch have been hitting topwater and the bowfin are viscious!!!

With Lake Levels returning to normal after such a wet spring, it seems to be shaping up to be a good summer. Keep your lines tight and if you find a great pattern that you would like to share, just post a comment.

Good Fishin,

Ranger Nick

June 9, 2011 Lake Report

Lake Monroe is down to a mere 10' over normal pool, with the water dropping and the level still somewhat high, fishing is decent. Largemouth bass seem to be returning to a normal summer pattern, post spawn!! Some largemouth seem to be keying in on topwater action with the majority of fish active in less then 8 feet of water. Surface temps continue to increase with the extremely warmer days and nights. The walleye seem to be fair at best with very few stellar days so far, best chance for walleye seems to be drifting nightcrawlers along the flats and long points. The average size seems to a bit smaller then past years, but I am sure that will change with the weather. Wipers seem to be hitting decent for the trolling anglers, a variety of lures and baits are being used. Early morning and late evening always seem to increase the chances of both wipers and walleye.

Lake Lemon, although staying near normal pool due to the lowhead spillway, the lake always boasts decent catches. Most of the Largemouth seem to be still following a spring type pattern in the post spawn mode which is peculiar. Jerkbaits and spinnerbaits seem to still be a viable option in seeking the bucketmouth line stretchers!!  Crappie can still be caught 3-6 feet deep off the brush piles and schooling along shorelines. Crankbaits and minnows seem to be the preferred baits for those larger crappie. Not much sign of catfish, however we have not pursued them lately on Lemon.

No Report for Cataract this week, I will try to get over there shortly and get something for you all. If you happen to find a good pattern or method on any of the lakes, feel free to share it here on the blogspot.

Good Fishin to all,

Ranger Nick

Hey All You Hoosier Fishermen and Women!!

Check out Cabela's Wanna Go Fishin' Sweepstakes and Fish for tagged fish in Lake Monroe for your chance to win Prizes. First go the Cabela's Website and Register ....Then Go Fish!!!!  Catch a tagged fish and return to the website and enter the tag number!!  They have 32 Chevy Trucks and a huge list of other prizes they are giving away!! WATCH FOR THE YELLOW SPAGHETTI TYPE TAGS IN THE BACK OF THE FISH ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DORSAL FIN!!!! Good Luck to All!!! Let me know if you catch one!!!

May 16, 2011

Lake Monroe reached it's highest level ever a little over a week ago, not only did it run over the emergency spillway, but it managed to erode the dirt and roadway just below the spillway. The Corp of Engineers began lowering the lake by opening the spillway to 2,940 cfs, which is about the most water that they can flow. This will only lower the lake level approximately 3-6 inches per day. So the lake will likely be flooded until mid to late summer. Currently the lake level is 16.2 feet above summer pool. The largemouth are currently spawning so they are in less then 3 feet of water. If you enjoy sight fishing for largemouth, then now is the time to fish, but please remember that our spawning bass are our only resource to keep our bass fishery alive. Many lures will work, I would use weightless tubes, senkos or flukes . The wipers and walleye are spread out all over the lake, just as the crappie are. The crappie are spawning also, so you can find them in the bushes and tree tops, use small tubes and minnows to catch them. I have not found a solid pattern for the walleye, but they seem to be staging in the trees along the original shoreline. Catfish seem to be really biting up in the flooded timber, minnows and nightcrawlers can really provide some action for the whisker fish!!

Lake Lemon, the water has been a little high, but only about a foot or so and the bass are spawning. Jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and jigs have all been catching fish. The big females have been very close to shore and really hitting agressive! Catching several fish in the 3-5 lb. category is not a difficult task. Keep your eyes open and you will likely see them on their beds. The crappie have been biting excellent, small tubes are working great, but if you really want to catch trophy size crappie (Over 2lbs) throw crankbaits that resemble shad. Sexy shad, chartruese shad or tennessee shad are all hot colors.

Cataract Lake has been so high and flooded that I have not been able to fish very much, however I would expect the same on Cataract (Cagles Mill) as I would on Lemon or Monroe. Find the fish up in the flooded bushes and timber, they should be in the same phases.

If you find a hot pattern or a hot bait, feel free to make a post or drop me an email.

Hope you all catch fish and enjoy a safe day on the water.

Good Fishin',

Ranger Nick
812-360-9118

April 18, 2011 Lake Monroe, Lake Lemon

Rain...Rain....Rain......Lake Monroe is up 7.3 as of right now with lots of rain and flooding on the way. I would say the lake will rise a lot over the next few days. Bass have been moving up in the flooded timber and starting to look a lot like pre-spawn fish. I would reccommend putting on your favorite wood structure lure and going to work, cover lots of ground and find those pockets of fish. Most cases seem to point to spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and jerkbaits, the bass are definitely moving around a lot, so don't lose faith.

Lake Lemon, although sort of muddy, fish have been moving up shallow, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits and jigs seem to be working really well for bass. Crappie are hitting minnows and small jigs around the brush and timber. Hopefully the rain will lighten up and the bass will be able to move up shallow to spawn soon.

If you have a good report, post it on the blog. Good luck to all and Good fishin,

Ranger Nick

It's Springtime......Bass fishing is warming up!!!!!

Lake Monroe is heating up with bass being caught on everything from Jerkbaits to spinnerbaits. The majority of the fish I have found have been up close feeding on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Water temps are ranging in the low 50's. This cold front might slow them down, but not for long. Stick to northern coves that catch a lot of sun, a little wind will help and try several different lures till you find what is working. The crappie are still up shallow and the best baits once again are small tubes, I have had the best luck on White/pink, black/blue and old faithful Red/Chartruese with a 1/32 ounce insert head. Haven't found too many walleye yet, but the walleye and wiper bite should be getting very hot, very quick. I will keep you posted.

Lake Lemon, Bass have been feeding heavy in the shallows, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and rat-l-traps are my main choices for largemouth. Some very nice fish are concentrating in the 2-6 foot range on both ends of the lake. Crappie are thick around the brush piles, small tubes and minnow 2-4 feet deep seem to be HOT!!!

No Report for Cataract/Cagles Mill Reservior, I will try to get over there later this week or early next week and get a look at it.

Good Fishin,

Ranger Nick

Fishing in Central Indiana- Lake Monroe, Lake Lemon and Cataract

It is 2011, The Indiana fishing season has yet to start, but check here or on http://www.rangernick.com/ for updated fishing reports throughout the season!!

The lakes, Lake Monroe, Lake Lemon and Cataract are thawed out and starting to look good. Keep up with the fishing reports, I will be on the water in the next couple of weeks and will start posting reports in the next 2-3 weeks.

Good Fishin,

Ranger Nick