Lake Forecast

Brian Barton Outdoors will resume fishing March 1, 2023. Until then Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !!!

November Lake Forecast

            Hopefully the tailrace fishing will hold up again this month. The smallmouth have been biting very good from Wilson Dam to Seven Mile Island and from Wheeler dam to Hog Island. The lack of current has made the bite tough much of the time, but there is no shortage of bass to be found. Concentrate on current breaks below the dams for the best action.

            Catfish have been biting good on Wilson Lake. A few really nice fish have been caught the last two weeks and it should only improve. Best catches have been near timber in 70-85 feet of water along the north shoreline.

            White bass are schooling big time in creek mouths on Wilson Lake. Spot and stalk is best approach. Watch for fish feeding on surface schools of bait fish the motor to them as quickly as possible.

            Crappie are off and on. A few good strings still coming form Bear and Yellow Creeks in the lower lake. A few have been caught on submerged stumps on ledges in the Coffee and Walker slough areas. Shoreline anglers are catching fish near McFarland Park off floating piers near the marina.

October 2022 Lake Forecast

            This month the smallmouth bass should fire up near the dam. Mid-September historically marks the start of the fall bite. Best bets live bait fished between the Singing River bridge and dam on Pickwick Lake and from Big Nance Creek to Wheeler Dam on Wilson Lake. Try to plan your trips when TVA is generating maximum current flow for best results.

            For catfish try deep water on Wilson Lake. Should be plenty of action in 70-80 feet of water on the north side of the lake from shoals Creek to Wilson Dam. Big chunks of skipjack for the big boys small cut bait or chicken livers for table size fish.

            Crappie are already being caught in lower Pickwick Lake. Start your search in 15-19 feet of water in the flats in bear and Second Creeks. Jigs or trolling Bandit crankbaits still producing last week.