11-08-2019, 01:02 PM
[#0000FF]Yes, the water is high...and rising with all the new water they are dumping in. But still about 4 feet down from the high water mark. With any snow pack this winter there will no doubt be a full lake again most of next year.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]There was a prolonged spawn again this year for the shad...with the extended period of warming and cooling with all the rain. So their are different sized shad. The last to spawn did not develop well enough to survive the cooldown. Others are from about 4-6 inches. Some may get even larger during their first summer.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]Since even gizzard shad are adversely affected by cold, many will seek out the deepest and/or warmest spots in the lake to spend the winter. The deepest spots in Willard are on the west side and ice fishermen see them on sonar over there when fishing through the ice. And that is where a lot of the predators hang out during the winter too.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]Willard reached its highest level ever last year. It should be about the same this year. That means the fish will be scattered over a wider area. All species should be able to get off a good spawn. Beyond that, who can say what the fishing will be? Still reduced numbers of wipers. More walleyes with all of the DWR supplemental plantings. Fishing should be good in the post spawn period from late May through early July. After that? My crystal ball don't get cable.
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[#0000FF]There was a prolonged spawn again this year for the shad...with the extended period of warming and cooling with all the rain. So their are different sized shad. The last to spawn did not develop well enough to survive the cooldown. Others are from about 4-6 inches. Some may get even larger during their first summer.[/#0000FF]
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[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]Since even gizzard shad are adversely affected by cold, many will seek out the deepest and/or warmest spots in the lake to spend the winter. The deepest spots in Willard are on the west side and ice fishermen see them on sonar over there when fishing through the ice. And that is where a lot of the predators hang out during the winter too.[/#0000FF]
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[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]Willard reached its highest level ever last year. It should be about the same this year. That means the fish will be scattered over a wider area. All species should be able to get off a good spawn. Beyond that, who can say what the fishing will be? Still reduced numbers of wipers. More walleyes with all of the DWR supplemental plantings. Fishing should be good in the post spawn period from late May through early July. After that? My crystal ball don't get cable.
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