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]Fished Willard yesterday, It was a really nice day caught plenty of nice wipers, no walleye. All the fish were caught trolling crank baits on the west side. Tried other places with no luck. Water temp was 47 when we started and 52 when we quit about 5:30.
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Thanks for posting your report MM, sounds like a fun day at the bay. Were there a lot of shore anglers and did you see any of them catching fish? WH2
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Yes there were a lot of shore anglers. I was one of them. We didn't catch anything though.I didn't see anyone else catch a fish from the shore either.
The water appeared to be very shallow as far as I could cast. I think that you need to be out farther than you can cast from shore to find deeper water.
We were standing on the floor of the bay in the South West corner.
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Hey there Dale, we were in a boat out there last Sunday and there was a ton of people fishing that same corner. After going around the whole lake, I can tell you that the deepest water close to shore is the North and West dike. I think the North dike drops of a little sharper than the West dike but the West dike is were the deepest water is on the lake(15 ft). The deepest water is a little too far to cast to but a couple of weeks ago people were catching them shallow at the same area you were fishing.
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Thanks for the information. I hope to have my boat running in a week or two. It will be fun to get back on Willard again.
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I fished the NW corner from the shore yesterday, but no fishies! I'll tell you what, the road by the bird refuge is rutted out bad, and it's slow going to drive to that corner (5MPH). I did have what I thought were a couple of bites, but couldn't land anything.....
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Thanks for posting your report Djole, too bad the catching wasn't better. You are so right about that road on the back side of the bay it is always a ruff ride, I don't think they ever grade it. Shore fishing can be tuff, it is very hit and miss, it might help you to move around some. The people that I have read about catching fish from shore said they were biting lightly. Hope you do better next time. WH2
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I walked up and down the rocks for about 600-700 yards as I was fishing. From the corner with the light post to south of where I set up for the morning. I attached a pic of the only two boats to pass remotely close to where I was...... Oh, well, It's time to fill up the ole the bass boat for the year!![cool] I would've taken the Skeeter out, but I don't like to by myself. Too much work to launch and trailer for a one man operation!
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DKS, I was casting out quite a ways from the shore (gotta love that new Shimano Sedona!!). I could only get my heavy Kastmaster's and some of the heavier swim baits out far enough for the deep water. None of my crankbaits are heavy enough to get that far in the wind. The only bite's I thought (maybe) I had were on a bleeding white shad swim bait or my 3/4 oz. Kastmaster with the white tail. Gotta get out trolling on the boat!!
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600-700 yds is good but if you try it again go about 1/4 to 1/2 mile, especially toward the East side of the North dike, I have seen people there a few times that were catching some nice fish. Few people drive that far but half way between the Light pole and the outlet is a good spot that a lot of people fish during the summer. If you don't have any one to go with but want to take your boat, you can usually post that you are looking for someone to share expenses with for a trip to Willard and you will get a few that are interested. It's always easier to have two when it comes to fishing from a boat, not only to launch and recover but it just makes the trip more enjoyable.
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Hey curt. could you tell if they are letting any water into the lake? I drive over the canal every day and last week I noticed it had water in it now.
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How deep is the north marina? Is a boat easily launchable? My new boat is a deep V and I don't want to risk my motor, prop, or hull. Thanks.
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I'll have to try on the north dyke next time. I think I would rather hoof it out from the gate at the north marina then drive that bird refuge road again![pirate]
As far as posting for a fishing buddy, I thought about it, but I didn't know that I was even going to go out there until I woke up and my girl (7 months prego) said she wanted to sleep some more, so that means FISHING FOR ME!! Maybe next time though![cool]
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That was actually my son in his blue/white Four Winns he called and said they didn't have any luck.
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It looked like the channel had a current coming through it. With the repair being finished I'm sure they will let all the water they can in now.
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