Water Level: 199.41 | Water Temperature: 75.2˚
Weather: 65˚ | Partly Cloudy | Winds: 2 mph
1. Largemouth Bass: Bass are active near shallow stump fields and creek channel edges in 4-8 feet of water. Focus on plastic worms and grubs slowly worked around concentrations of shad. Topwater baits like Baby Chug Bugs and Zoom Horny Toads are producing well in uplake grassbeds during low light periods.
2. Striped Bass: Stripers are scattered but can be found schooling near the main river channel and below the dam. Live shad remains the top bait, especially jigging half-ounce Hopkins Spoons. Surface action is sporadic but worth watching for topwater strikes.
3. Crappie: Crappie are schooling around submerged brushpiles and dock structures in 12-14 feet of water. Using small minnows or crappie jigs with trailers near boat docks in Mill Creek and Poplar Creek is highly effective.
4. White Perch: Jigging Hopkins Spoons below the dam continues to yield good catches of white perch in the 12-20 pound striper areas.
With stable weather and mild winds this week, Lake Gaston’s fishing conditions are favorable. Water temperatures in the mid-70s are keeping bass and crappie active in their preferred depths, while stripers remain opportunistic feeders on live shad. Anglers should take advantage of the early morning and late evening low light periods for topwater action and focus on structure near creek channels and grassbeds for the best results. Enjoy your time on the water and stay alert for sporadic surface strikes!
