Spring is here
Lots of people are out fishing and posting pictures on the GrandFishingReport.com Facebook group, from out-of-towners to locals. In April the Crappie and Bass head for the bank, White Bass run the rivers, Paddlefish get going and Catfish go shallow.
White Bass / Paddlefish
There are good reports of Crappie and White Bass on Spring River. Pictures showed Paddlefish snagged at Miami last week, though the water didn't get very high, and Jeff doesn't think today's and tomorrow's rain will move them up in a big way. It might stir the water and bring a few. Grand Lake still hasn't had a big inflow this year, unusual for mid-April. Some years bring big floods in February and March, and April showers can bring lots of muddy water, so anything can happen by month's end.
Spawning Crappie on the bank
Bass and Crappie are close to the banks, and some people are surely catching Crappie there already. In the evening, a jig under a bobber (a little Lucky Bug under a float) is a great way to try. The Swimming Minnow and Go-Go Minnow are tremendous lures for spawning Crappie too. If you work during the day, fish evenings: the big females often move closer to the bank near dark. Many people keep catching spawners after dark right on the bank. One of Jeff's favorites is a lighted bobber near a yard light or street light, where you can silhouette the bobber in 12 to 24 inches (1 to 3 feet) of water. You'll be surprised how many Crappie you can catch at night.
Williams Guide Service
Haydn hasn't gotten on the spawning Crappie yet. He's finishing a few Spoonbill trips below Hudson toward Fort Gibson for clients who wanted that area.
Flatheads on the rise
Catfish are biting all kinds of cut bait, and big chunks of Gizzard Shad are hard to beat. In April and May, Blues, Channels and Flatheads all move shallow. Some of Jeff's best Flathead fishing ever has come in the last two weeks of April and first two weeks of May on a rise. Set out three or four rods with live bait, fish shallow around structure, and hang on. Grand Lake has an abundance of Flatheads from 15 to 30 pounds, and bigger ones too. "It's not like channel catfishing." You never know what will eat a big live bait, and Big Blue Cats bite during the day then too.
Outlook
Barring something unexpected from these showers, Jeff expects the water to stay down, clear and warm enough to push Crappie to the banks. April 10 has always been his target date, and from now through the end of April is when you can really get them.