Jewell State Fishing Lake Fishing Report - Updated: 7/19/18
|
| Rating
| Size
| Baits, Method, Location
|
|---|
| Crappie
| Fair
| 8-11 inches
| Anglers should target fish around the brush piles and Georgia cubes. The fish may still be caught in shallow water on occasion, but will be in 10-20 feet of water for the most part. Anglers should fish with minnows and jigs tipped with minnows for best results.
|
| Largemouth Bass
| Good
| 13-22 inches
| We completed our spring electrofishing sample for largemouth bass and collected a very nice population with a mix of sizes. The best numbers were 16 to 17 inch fish, but plenty of 18 to 22 inch fish were also collected with the biggest weighing 6.2 pounds. There are also good numbers of young fish coming into the population indicating these strong numbers should continue for many years with the new 18 inch length limit. The fish were found lakewide, but islands of phragmites and cattails just off the bank seemed to hold the best numbers with open pockets in the middle of tall vegetation also being key locations to target bass. There is now an 18 inch Minimum length limit on all bass in Jewell!!!
|
| Channel Catfish
| Good
| 11-25 inches
| The catfish numbers look very good right now based on fall netting and anglers should be pleased with the numbers of cats in the lake. Many of these fish are in the 3-5 pound range, but there are also a handful of larger fish between 7 and 10 pounds. Traditional baits like stink bait, shad sides, and chicken liver should all work for catching some catfish now. Anglers have been catching them off the jetties and the boat dock. Remember there is a 15 inch minimum length limit on channel catfish!
|
| Bluegill Green Sunfish Redear Sunfish
| Good
| 6-9 inches
| Bluegill numbers appear to be stable right now with fish between 4 and 7 inches dominating the catch, but fish up to 8 inches were collected this past fall. Redear sunfish are thriving very well right now with fish up to 10 inches collected this fall. There are two size groups with good numbers of 6-8 inch fish and fair numbers of 9 to 10 inch fish. For now, traditional fishing with a worm and bobber around the jetties and other cover may be the best way to catch some of these guys. Fly fishing with a variety of nymphs and wet flies should also be productive.
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| General Comments
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|---|
| ATTENTION ANGLERS! Beginning January 1, 2018, the new minimum length limit on largemouth bass will be 18 inches at Jewell. ALL largemouth bass less than 18 inches will need to be released immediately. Water temperature: 85°F Water level: 2 feet low
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