By Aaron Kephart
After what seemed like a never-ending fall, winter fishing is finally here. Water temperatures are in the 40s on all of our area lakes, and fish have finally set up in their winter patterns. With that in mind, I would like to take a lake by lake look at what to expect in the next few weeks.
Hiwassee:
Hiwassee Lake is higher than it should be this time of year due to the unprecedented amount of rain our area has received, but the TVA is pulling it down rapidly, and it is nearing normal winter pool. The striper bite has been phenomenal, with most days providing both numbers and size. Fish have come from the dam to the river, but the upper third of the lake has gotten colder and dirtier lately, so we have been focusing on the lower two thirds, especially the creeks. The most productive bait has been a jumbo herring or 8-12 inch gizzard shad, but a lot of the bass guys have been picking a few up on jerkbaits, a-rigs, and crankbaits. This bite will get better and better through February and into the spring months.
The bass are also biting relatively well, with two distinct patterns present. The first pattern is to look for the fish on creek channel bends and points in 20-40 feet of water in the clearer sections. The second option is to get shallow and grind a crankbait in the dirtier water. February or March also provides the best walleye fishing of the year, depending upon the run, and if this is something that interests you, please realize that this bite is all dependent upon timing, and please stay in regular contact with me regarding this opportunity.
Chatuge:
The bass on Chatuge are very similar to the ones on Hiwassee in terms of location. There are deep schools scattered throughout the lake, and there are also a number of fish that just seem to want to spend the winter shallow. The good news is that these fish are well fed and fat, and we have caught multiple 5 pound spots, and largemouth to 9 pounds, on recent trips to the lake. Chatuge is a bit higher in elevation than our other lakes, and it is also a bit shallower, so it generally gets colder. Late February and early March are traditionally the best time of year to catch a monster on this lake.
Apalachia:
It is with great sadness that I share the most recent news on Apalachia: the TVA will be shutting down the only ramp on the lake effective March 1st in order to build a new launch, and there is no set date for reopening (this was supposed to have been completed last spring, but more pressing issues lower down the TVA chain resulted in the reopening of the ramp). This is particularly sad to me for two reasons: number one is that the fishing for both smallmouth and brown trout is absolutely phenomenal right now and I hate to be forced off the water. However, the second reason it saddens me is from a practical standpoint: I am a firm believer that a new ramp could effectively destroy this lake. The main reason that it is as good as it is, is because of the inaccessible nature of the ramp, and I hate to see the lake decimated. The NC Wildlife Resources Commission has requested a change on the possession limit for brown trout when the lake reopens, but I would ask all anglers to contact the Commission and request that they also designate Apalachia a trophy smallmouth water, with only one fish over 22 inches in possession. It is going to need all the help it can get with the influx of anglers due to a new ramp.
If you want to experience some great winter fishing for stripers, spots, largemouth, smallmouth, crappie, walleye, or anything else that swims in the Murphy area lakes please give me a call at 865-466-1345, and remember that if you have been wanting to hit Apalachia with me you have to do it this month (February). I look forward to hearing from you!
Aaron Kephart is the Owner of Mountain Lakes Guide Service. To book a guided trip on one of the Murphy area mountain lakes, contact him by phone or by email at mtnlakesguide@outlook.com Check out his website at http://www.mtnlakesguideservice.com and catch him on facebook@mountainlakesguideservice.