Ontelaunee.... 2018

[icemole]

Made it out Sunday morning - I had been by Sat. morning(and evening) and it seemed like no one was at seceret spot #3 so that was the plan. Got there about 5am and found a steady bunch of fish willing to play. No monsters mostly 1-3lb fish with a couple of dinks thrown in(not counting several white perch LOL) - not a "fish counter" but around 10 total till I quit at 9am. Another guy showed up around 7am but he stayed over in the pads and didn't seem inclined to come my direction so seceret spot #3 is still seceret LOL

[Z]

Nice work we fished from about 10am to 6pm,tried the dam area the old bridge,those 2 places never produced any fish over 2 lbs. We are fairly new to the lake and don't know too mutch about it, people that we have met don't know either or they're keeping it quiet? seems to me there is only one place that holds good bass all the time? but very tough to get to? This lake is Big and have been doing a lot of walking last 2 years to find honey holes,I'd like to talk to you 1 day.
Z

[icemole]

10-6 is nap time LOL...you need to be out at 5am and fish till 10am or go out at 6pm and fish till dark(or more) - However the evening shift can be crowded. The grass beds going back towards 222 from the dam breast can be good BUT they get pounded.

Bass will move around depending on the season mid winter - spring probably 70% of the fish migrate into Peters Creek area to spawn(that is why the big ones get pulled through the ice). After that they dispurse back into the lake. I look for any type of structure - points, rock piles, drop-offs, etc. If there is cover - weeds, pads, downed tree/log - nearby so much the better. Remember though most of the lake has 100 yrs of silt so much of the structure is filled in. In the fall they could be anywhere feeding on baitfish. I was duck hunting in the early season one year near where a little creek dumps in and noticed minnows being chased closer to the creek mouth. Went over the next afternoon and caugh more bass than I've ever caught they even sank my topwater bait.. LOL. Been back to that spot a few times under similar conditions haven't matched or came close to that day.

[icemole]

Hit up a spot this morning pretty slow only picked of 2 - 12" largies... fat little pigs though LOL. Both on plastic worms and had to work for them. No topwater or "mid level" bites. Looked like a guy down the lake had a nicer one pretty good splashes from what I could see 500yrds away. Fished from about 5 - 9am then hit the diner. Did have something swimming around out there possibally an otter - Snapped a couple of pictures but just too far away for my cheap camera.

[icemole]

 Hit another 'seceret spot' sadly with all the trash it seems like it was discovered   .  Topwater = 0, mid depths = 0. Got a nice 2lber, missed two other decent bites on the worm - thinking one was a cat and the other my hook point was curled over  from a minor(I thought) snag ...LOL

A bit dissapointing as this spot has everything pads, a long point with a deep drop off, some foundations, grass beds even a few waist deep logs

[Z]

Secret spots I don't think there is too many,most beaten areas are along 73,old bridge and rock cliffs, the group that fishes those places keep everything that they catch and leave trash behind.
There is spots that most of the time are empty becouse getting there requires a lof walking.
Do you wade out or just bank fish? I love wading although silt and pads are pain at times.

[icemole]

I wade mostly (spring + fall crappie bite I will stay on shore at a few spots). That spot has always got some notice BUT was never that trashed in the past. And it wasn't just the typical bait containers, beer cans and munchie wrappers either....quite a bit of "bass" trash too... empty plastic worm bags, lure packaging, etc.

[Z]

Are you flooded ?

[icemole]

No ... I went by on 73 earlier it might be a little high and it has been off color even before the rains, but not real muddy either.

[cvllebanger]

Are you allowed to fish below the dam on 73? Was thinking of trying there Sunday morning

[icemole]

Update - we had some pretty good storms through the area so conditions may have changed a bit.

cvllebanger - yes you can fish below the dam - sort of - there is a dirt lane that goes down to the iron bridge at Blue Falls. You can fish anywhere on that side except the Blue Falls Grove/Campground(they may let you in for a fee IDK). People also walk across the dam and fish the other side HOWEVER do not go too far downstream as that side is sort of RESTRICTED(they did open it for bow hunting but that's it).

Also there is a parking area at the iron bridge and you can fish below the little dam all the way down the creek to 61. You will have to cross the creek to walk that far, but you can walk down the paved road and fish till the bend where the private property begins. From the iron bridge to the "big rock" the near bank has been torn out and replaced with rip-rap.(last I drove down there 2 weeks ago anyway)

[cvllebanger]

Thanks for the info. Fished that area a long time ago did good on decent not huge bluegill and crappie down there. All this rain has venturing out to try new spots

[Z]

With all this crazy weather we haven't been out for a long time,Sunday looks Ok is it worth the long drive?
Thanx Z

[icemole]

It looked like Yahoo chocolate drink yesterday hopefully it clears up some for you.... bring "rattle" baits just in case LOL. I'll take a look again Saturday.

[icemole]

Just ran past.... looks pretty good.... last nights storms didn't muddy it up... fixing to get some more storms now but don't think they'll affect it much either.