As much as I hate to say it, I've only fished the lake a few times this year. I've even had to cancel our first fishing tournament due to lack of participation. I believe just too many boats are high and dry for us to get enough people out to fish.

June 30th from 5pm until 9pm will be our next tournament and I already have three boats signed up for this event. We did make a few changes to the rules for this year's tournament. We have moved the limit of bass up to 10 fish with no length limit. Fish from the tournaments will be harvested to help reduce the overall bass population. We have made strong efforts with the stocking of over 50,000 shad over the last few years and the removal of a few thousand bass. While the bass are not literally starving to death as they were a few years ago and are putting on weight, I want bigger and better fish.

Of the time I have spent on the water so far this year, the bass have been confused. I think with the water so low, the bass are having a difficult time finding structure in the form of docked boats, boat docks and even some stumps and brush piles, which are now dry, in which to hide. I have had good luck on my usual Rapala shad raps and various jerk baits. I have received reports that your typical soft plastic baits are producing good results as well.

By the time this report hits the press the bass should be starting their summer pattern. I just hope that the water rises a few feet so the bass have more space to play in and more structure in which to hide.

So... if you can cast from shore, wade or drag a boat into the lake I wish you good luck on the water. Please keep your speed down and produce no wake. Tight Lines!