Hello, Anglers. 2008 is complete and it seemed to have passed ever-so-quickly. Looking back, experiences have been great on The Bend with excellent fishing as we have caught more fish over 5 pounds than we have in several years. I'm not sure why we have landed more big fish but healthier and more widespread submerged vegetation is, in my opinion, one of the main reasons. Increased amounts of submerged hydrilla did allow anglers to spread out all over the lake and minimized fishing pressure in some areas, especially on the south end which is where I fish most of the time. Another factor could have been a stable lake level as the lake has not gotten below 167.6 feet msl (mean sea level) all year. Higher lake levels, more than likely, did help beneficial vegetation. Water levels fell below 168 only for a few weeks in October due to evaporation and no rainfall. Prospects for Toledo in 2009 looks to be exciting with major bass tournaments starting to return to the lake. Several big tournaments were canceled in 2005 - 2007 due to low lake levels which made navigating the lake much more hazardous.
The return of major fishing events will certainly help the business infra structure which has struggled the past few years with low water levels.
LAKE CONDITIONS: Current readings are 168.33 ft. msl with one generator operating 24 hrs. during week days. Water temperatures are around 54-56 degrees with the upper part of the lake having stained conditions, mid-lake is mostly clear and south Toledo clear. As normal, the upper ends of major feeder creeks are stained.
NOTE: A FULL CURRENT BASS REPORT IS ON ANOTHER POSTING. CHECK IT OUT!