Both walleye and smallmouth bass patrol the lake feeding on the vast schools of perch. It is definitely good enough to take off work so get out there. Boat access to the lake is available for a small fee at private ramps at claytor lake state park, lighthouse bridge, and. Fishing lake oahe our fishing usually starts in mid april right after the ice goes out, which is prime time for trophy northern pike, and the bite runs into the fall. A hefty 46,000 acres, the lake is due east of ocala. Shellcracker fishing remains very strong, but fish have gotten a little harder to locate. April th16th will be fishing artificials in lake rousseauthe backwaters, any advise on locations and hot baits would be greatly appreciated. Pound for pound, there is not another fish that out pulls these little bullies. The lake itself is filled with buried stumps, eel grass and plenty of great structure. The sunshine state shines when it comes to crappie and many of the best lakes are in the central part of the state. Lake rousseau bill burgess of lake rousseau rv and fishing said crappie are hitting while trolling jigs using a long pole, and also using a minnow underneath a bobber.
Care should be taken when operating a motor boat in this lake because it is filled with cypress snags and stumps. One of the few manmade impoundments in the state, it lies on the trace of the famous withlacoochee river and is also fed by the earlier merging of waters of the rainbow river and lake panasoffkee. For additional information on lake rousseau and the surrounding water follow these links, lake rousseau resort, bass fishing guide. Walleye fishing lake oahe from the outpost lodge, pierre, sd. Lake rousseau rv and fishing resort 10811 coveview terrace, crystal river 34428 and ramp is located on the lakes southwest side and about three miles from its west end. Hi, this is captain john leech and this is your fishing report for october 9th. This 35,000acre lake, in the heart of osceola county, remains one of the best bluegill and shellcracker fisheries in the state. Lake rousseau bill burgess of lake rousseau rv and fishing said bluegill are hitting on crickets and wiggler worms, but theyve gone.
From the lake rousseau our boat ramp can be accessed to prime fishing spots quickly, ensuring that you get more time on the water. From the ross barnett reservoir spillway outlet to the city of jackson water intake in the pearl river. Find fish cribs to the north and weedbeds to the south holding muskie, bass, walleye and panfish. Stayed at the ross lake resort for a few days this weekend and thought wed give the fishing a try. At the western end of the lake, near the dam at inglis, is the lake rousseau rv park and fishing resort, 352 7956336. Fishing on the big pond last month was an updown hill experience fishing for both bass and crappie. Lake rousseau boasts largemouth bass catches in the 3 to 12lb. Fishing reports archives page 28 of 58 bass fishing florida. Redear sunfish are caught most often on earthworms around the full moons of march and april when their spawning activity peaks. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including flounder, red drum, spotted sea trout and redfish here.
While the weather is cool, focus efforts near the channels and deeper portions of the lake. You can expect to catch big bass, perch, stumpknockers and catfish. I like to catch plenty of fish that fight hard, test my tackle and my angling skills and taste delicious when i eat them. Scdnr freshwater fishing report the edgefield advertiser. Jun 23, 20 upstream is lake rousseau 3,400 acre pool at elevation elv. The major tributaries to lake istokpoga are josephine creek and arbuckle creek, which are located in the northwest and north areas of the lake, respectively. This weekend we spent some quality time with family and friends on lake rousseau. The serpentine channel winding through rousseau averages about 15 feet deep. Accordingly, we were unable to personally tour the entire lake during our brief stay actually, the fishing was so good, we fished a bit more than. Abundant cover and structure grow plenty of bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish, black crappie. Shakey head w zoom trick worm, paca craws, lipless bps crankbait, kvd squarebill tenn shad, wiggle wart shad, biggest fish i have seen caught was on a wiggle wart way back up the river and it went 8. The daily bag limit for striped andor hybrid striped bass is 6 per person per day. If you love to catch fish especially big bass youve found an anglers heaven and a new place to call home.
Lake rousseau is a great spot to fish for largemouth bass, crappie also called speckled perch, bluegill, shellcrackers and other bream and. Big bass like this stumpy lake and so do a large variety of other fresh water species. Catching bluegill and shellcracker on kentuckhy lake. The navigational challenges dont go unnoticed, but sure make for great bass fishing. Withlacoochee river this 157mile stream originates in green swamp in hernando county and flows north to the gulf at yankeetown. Theyre being caught in both good numbers and good size, 12 inches or longer, weighing 11 12 pounds. Largemouth bass can be caught using live shiners or artificial baits along the edge of dense hydrilla. Lake rousseau fishing guides withlacoochee river dunnellon. And just off the channel, practically everywhere, the lake is landmined with timber consistently close to the surface.
Lake rousseau, florida fishing report, rainbow trout fly fishing forecast, fishing season updates, fly shop and fishing guides, and fly fishing weather. Shellcracker fishing tips sheelcracker fishing florida. Johns river empties into the lake on its southern end and exits on the north end, to continue its journey to the atlantic ocean at jacksonville. It was created in the early 1900s when the river was dammed. In the south, shellcracker fishing is common among pan fisherman. Rousseau is also an excellent lake for giant shellcrackers.
Abundant cover and structure grow plenty of bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish, black crappie and largemouth bass. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including catfish, carp, largemouth bass, crappie and breambluegill here. Live baiting largemouths on lake rousseau coastal angler. On the enclosed map, it can be found just off county road 488, at the end of northcutt avenue. Lake lou yaeger was created by damming the west fork of shoal creek. Current conditions, fishing reports, maps, water levels, boating, camping, articles, blogs, and photos. Consult fly fishing reports and forecasts at whacking fatties for the latest weather reports and fly. Although the fishing was real good, catching both big basscrappy and quantity but it. Nov 23, 2018 the sunshine state shines when it comes to crappie and many of the best lakes are in the central part of the state.
The 24 miles of improved shoreline, plus its enhanced open areas, give boaters and waders a super shot at spectacular catches. Lake rousseau is a reservoir on the withlacoochee river in central florida, on the boundary of levy county to the northwest, marion county to the northeast, and citrus county to the south. Work close to the dropoffs and up to the edge of the weed lines. Fly fishing report and forecast for lake cavanaugh, washington. Consult flyfishing reports and forecasts at whacking fatties for the latest. Fishing for bluegill and shellcracker in the peak of the spawn is one of them. Lake rousseau fishing resort near crystal river fl. I took gary carpenter whos a buddy of mine from down in the ft myer area. Lake rousseau bill burgess of lake rousseau rv and fishing. The deeper river channel is always good to locate and fish underwater bends. The lake was constructed in 1964, and completely filled during may of 1966. Lake rousseau gheenoe trip 45 microskiff dedicated to. Fishing with darl black guide service blackwolfe communications. The daytime bite has really slowed but a hot night bite is making up for it.
Live worms or crickets are the best bait, either fished on the bottom or suspended below a float. The lake rosseau fishing map contains information about some of the best fishing spots this lake has to offer as well as the nearby cottages, campgrounds, and bait and tackle shops. The site contains current fishing conditions along with articles of interest, lake rousseau weather conditions. Bob of anglers resort in dunnellon reports bass fishing on lake rousseau has been fair for those using wild shiners. See what some of americas top crappie fishermen have to say about pymatuning. By the end of march, depending on water temperatures and water levels, redears shellcracker start migrating to the shallows in preparation for the spawn.
Lake rousseau fishing guides boat rentals fish camps. Citrus county fishing report citrus county chronicle. The souths best shellcracker holes hunting and fishing. We heard from a few guys up at the resort that trolling was. Bream is a local term throughout the southeast that includes a variety of deepbodied panfish belonging to the sunfish family. Lake rousseau fl florida fishing lakes for largemouth bass. The map also shows hotspots where our fishing junkies have caught lunkers and posted photos and stories. Florida power corp operated a hydroelectric plant from 1909 to 1965 at the western end of the. An impoundment of the withlacoochee river, as part of the original cross florida barge canal project, this large lake is full of cypress trees, hyacinth and pennywort islands and sometimes hydrilla. Florida lake tarpon and lake guntersville shellcrackers. Crickets, grubs, sand maggots or grass shrimp will also catch bedding bluegill. Fishing lake rosseau, ontario lake rosseau fishing reports. While we did not fish for them ourselves, we did watch a local angler catch 19 that collectively tipped the.
This lake enjoys a wide reputation for its bluegill bream and redear shellcracker fishing in the spring. Angler guide provides fishing enthusiasts with relevant information about fishing lake rousseau and the rivers, streams and lakes in florida. The rainbow river and withlacooche rivers feed lake rousseau. Georgia lake seminole and worldrecord shellcrackers caught. Catfish are being caught on cutup mullet and one angler used chicken livers soaked in koolaid. Oct 11, 2014 fishing is still red hot in kissimmee. For more information on the park, call 540 6432500. I will have my booth at the river city hunting and fishing expo in council bluffs, iowa and i will also be doing some seminars on fishing lake oahe and lake sharpe. Lake rousseau, florida fishing report, rainbow trout fly fishing forecast, fishing season updates, fly shop and fishing guides, and flyfishing weather. Water is discharged from the lake through two major outlets, the istokpoga canal that flows to the kissimmee river and the s68 canal that flows through a series of canals to both lake. Lake rousseau bill burgess of lake rousseau rv and fishing said bluegill and shellcracker are hitting on wigglers and crickets, and one report had them going for hot dogs. Lake rousseau, fl fishing charters and guides fishanywhere. Theres another two or three weeks of prime spawning time too so grab a friend and head on out.
Bass fishing dunnellon lake rousseau on the rebound florida. Claytor lake state park, located on the north side of the lake, provides 497 acres of park with camping, cabins, picnic areas, and a swimming beach, as well as a marina. The stewart family welcomes you to lake rousseau rv and fishing resort in sunny citrus county, florida. Lake rousseau rv and fishing resort 10811 coveview terrace, crystal river 34428 and ramp is located on the lake s southwest side and about three miles from its west end. An angler can navigate the lake with ease from lake rousseau fishing resorts boat ramp or one of the many boat slips they have for rent. Farther north, but having an equally good reputation for bream fishing, is lake george.
Lake rousseau information guide jim porters guide to bass fishing. From our boat ramp or boat docks you can access prime fishing spots quickly, ensuring that you get more time on the water. Lake oahe boasts fantastic fishing for walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, catfish, white bass, and salmon. Lake rousseau is a great waterbody for whatever fish species you are targeting. Comes up fishing with me on a regular basis, carried him fishing and we had about 45 fortyfive fish. Downstream is the lower withlacoochee river tailrace elv. The old river channel cuts through lake rousseau to the inglis dam and cross florida barge canal. Now is the time to strike a trot to the lake and wet a hook for these babies. Florida has more than 7,700 named lakes and ponds and over 10,000 miles of streams and rivers, all brimming with bream. Lake rousseau, although not physically a large body of water, takes on a relatively larger dimension due to the boating restrictions one must observe to safely navigate its timberinfested waters. Bluegill and shellcracker are hitting on crickets and wigglers on the.
Rousseau is primarily a bass fishing lake because of the abundance of vegetation and natural cover. The map also shows hotspots where our fishing junkies. Upstream is lake rousseau 3,400 acre pool at elevation elv. We hopped aboard with professional crappie angler tc lloyd and long lined jigs. Lake rousseau lies in the westcentral portion of the florida peninsula, approximately 35 miles west of ocala and within 10 miles of the gulf coast. From our boat ramp or boat docks you can access prime fishing spots quickly. Although the fishing was real good, catching both big basscrappy and quantity but it was still somewhat spotty. Look in 1215 feet of water and fish worms on the bottom. The predominant uses are boating recreation, sport fishing, and flood control.