Lake Russell Fishing Report

July 17 

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Lake Russell is in a solid summer pattern, and if you like fishing offshore, this is a great time to be on the water. Water temperatures are warm, the lake is clear, and most of the fish have moved into their deeper summer locations. The best fishing is still happening early in the morning, but you can catch fish throughout the day if you’re willing to fish deep and stay around bait. 

Bass

Bass are holding around creek channels, river channels, timber, brush piles, and deeper points. Both largemouth and spotted bass are being caught, with spotted bass making up a good portion of the catch. Early in the morning, there’s still a chance to catch fish on topwater around points before they move deeper.

Once the sun gets up, most anglers are finding success with finesse presentations around brush and standing timber in 20 to 35 feet of water. If your electronics aren’t showing bait, don’t be afraid to move until you find it.

Bass Tips

• Start your morning with a walking topwater or fluke around long points and humps.

• After the early bite, slow down with a drop shot, shaky head, or finesse worm around deep brush and timber.

• Let your electronics do the work. Find the bait first, and the bass usually won’t be far away. 

 

Crappie

Crappie are holding deep around standing timber, brush piles, and fish attractors. Most fish are suspended in 15 to 25 feet of water and are staying close to cover throughout the day.

Live minnows continue to be one of the best options, but small jigs fished vertically are catching plenty of fish. If you’re looking for a different approach, night fishing around lighted areas can be very productive during the summer months.

Crappie Tips

• Target deep brush piles and standing timber instead of shallow cover.

• Keep your bait just above the fish and fish vertically whenever possible.

• Don’t overlook night fishing around lights and fish attractors during the hottest part of the summer. 

 

Striper

Stripers are following schools of blueback herring and threadfin shad over deep water. Most fish are relating to creek channels and the river channel, especially where large schools of bait are present.

Live blueback herring continue to produce the most consistent catches, but anglers throwing spoons, bucktails, and paddletail swimbaits are catching fish when schools push bait toward the surface.

Striper Tips

• Spend your time searching for bait with your electronics before making your first cast.

• Fish at the depth where you’re marking stripers instead of guessing.

• Keep a spoon or swimbait tied on because schooling fish may only stay on the surface for a short time before disappearing. 

 

Overall Outlook

Lake Russell is fishing well for the middle of July if you’re willing to fish the summer pattern. Get on the water early, stay mobile, and let your electronics guide your decisions. Bass are holding around deep brush and timber, crappie are stacked on offshore cover, and stripers are staying close to large schools of bait. Find the bait, fish patiently, and you should have a good shot at putting together a solid day on the water.