Lake Taneycomo Fishing Report - Branson Mo 2/24/09

Generation is being dictated by lake levels. Table Rock Lake is still one foot above power pool and pretty much holding even with all the water that's leaving the lake through Table Rock Dam. I would think real soon the outflow will catch up with the inflow and we'll see Table Rock's level drop below 915 and we'll see a reprieve in water release on Lake Taneycomo. That's what alot of anglers have been hoping for.

Trout fishing on the lake has slowed compared to a few weeks ago. The white jig isn't working it's magic below the dam. As far as I can tell we've only had one short run of shad come through the turbines although shad are still dying in large numbers on the big lake above, as well as Bull Shoals below. We're hopeful for another run... a lengthy run of shad this spring. But for now we have to deal with generation and with rain in the forecast this week, that generation may continue.

Some of our guides found a bunch of trout in feeder creeks this week. Turkey and Roark Creeks were the best, especially Roark Creek above the second bridge. There's a hole there that normally holds trout in the winter and spring during high water. Actually trout can be anywhere and everywhere in Roark up to where the creek actually enters the lake level above the condos there. But they seem to like to hold at the second bridge. Jig and float, jig and float with a gulp power egg on a jig head and spoons were the best this past week. I did try the area tonight and found a few rainbows on white 1/32nd jig under a float 5 feet deep. They were a nice size.

There's been some trout around the Fish House, Bass Pro's float restaurant on the lake. Spoons and jig and float work there too. In the mouth of Turkey Creek are some rainbows... and up in the creek you'll find some bass too.

Drifting Gulp eggs still the number one, best way to catch a limit of rainbows in short fashion. The stretch above and below Monkey Island is holding alot of stocker rainbows. For larger rainbows, drift between Fall Creek and Short Creek.

Below the dam, our guides have been drifting a tandem rig tying an egg fly on a drift rig with a trailing #10 tan scud off the egg 18 inches. The gravel stretch from Lookout to Fall Creek, staying in the middle of the lake, is producing some nice, plump 11-1/2 inchers, just right for keeping.

Remember- your 2008 fishing licenses will expire on March 1, 2009.