Mark Twain Lake Fishing Report – 5/17/18

FISHING REPORT

Read Lake and Fishing Reports from the Missouri Department of Conservation and South Fork Resort.

From the
Missouri Department of Conservation
(Reported on 5/15/18)

Information: 660-785-2420
Water Surface Temp: 69°
Water Level (Range): low
Water Type: dingy

Fish Reported:
Crappie: Good
Catfish: Good
Largemouth Bass: Good
White Bass: Fair

Lake level is at 605.69ft.; lake is below normal pool and warming; surface temps are between 67-71 degrees depending on where you are on the lake; water is still dingy form the rains we had received; catfish are good on shad bait; crappie are good and have moved off of the banks; crappie are biting on minnows and jigs; largemouth bass are good on crankbaits and soft plastics; white bass are starting to bite and are on the points and mounds of the lake; all other species are slow.

From the
South Fork Resort Blog
Update 5/17/18
7:54pm
by Ron

Lake level is 605.9. Water temp is mostly in the low 70’s. Secchi disc readings are 12″ at South Fork, 12″ at Route U, and 13″ at 107. That is somewhat improved over last week.

CRAPPIE: What a season so far! The spawn does seem to be slowing down some, but there are still a lot of fish being caught on the bank. Minnows seem to still be the best bet for better fish, but jigs are working also. Depending on the day or hour black/chartreuse might be the ticket, or pink/white, blue white, red/chartreuse, or many other colors could be what works. There are also some good fish being caught out a little deeper as well. By the time the spawn is mostly over the rest of the crappie should be getting into the summer pattern.

BASS: Largemouth are biting in the same places you catch these spawning crappie. Rocky points, laydowns, etc are holding fish. Not many reports on white bass yet.

CATFISH: There are quite a few blues being caught in the 20 to 30 pound range. Shad is the best bet if you can get it. Goldfish and perch are working.