Where is everyone?

[Zulu]

I wish more people were interested in the fishing forums.  I suspect a lot of us check in here but don't post anything.
The drought here in Texas has really hurt my fishing habits.  The water level on Lake Conroe where I fish the most is 8' low.  There are so many stumps under water now that never were a hazard before. 
I might have to go back to canoe fishing.
Zulu

[Rutin2tin]

I was visiting at Lake Conroe during mid-October of this year, and yeah.......that water level was so low, in some places, there's room for new "water-front" homes.
 Should this drought'ish trend continue, I wouldn't doubt it if some enterprising political hot-shot began to sell "all new lake-front" lots.
 The city of Houston drains off something like 5 to 6 inches per week from Lake Conroe. 
 Certainly not good conditions for those who love bass fishing!
 
FWIW: If You can afford the trip, come late springtime, go visit stateside areas along the great lakes; especially Lake Erie from Ohio to Buffalo, NY. The small-mouth bass fishing there is nothing short of spectacular.
 Have you ever boated a 10 pound small-mouth bass? I have, and bass from 4 to 11 lbs are not at all uncommon in Lake Erie.
Walleyes, ie, "Yellow Pike" are measured in feet, as are Muskellunge , and Northern Pike, plus, the Walleyes, and Pike's are great eating as well.
I find that Lake Erie bass are good to eat,  up to about 15 inches in length, after that they seem to harbor a very pungent  "fishy" after taste.
 
 In the early fall, Walleyes, Pike, and Bass can usually still be found, though that's when the Salmon and out-sized Trout make themselves abundant.
 Lake Ontario regularly offers "baby whale" sized Salmon, as a friend of mine describes the Salmon.
Not necessary to limit fishing only to the Lakes in the fall, as the tributaries flowing into the Great Lakes, harbor plenty of good sized fish for the angler.
 
 Suggestions for Lake Erie access for those who don't own a boat: Dunkirk, NY at the city pier, and all winter long near the warm water outlet of the local power plant, close to the city pier.
 Summertime fishing: The Buffalo, NY Small Boat Harbor on Route #5 (next to the old Freezer Queen plant), offers anglers access to most game fish species in Lake Erie.
 Worms, Minnows, and just about any artificial lure produces, plus a good saltwater boat, or higher sided freshwater craft is an asset, as it will afford one access to excellent angling.
 
 Lake Ontario Salmon are abundant in most tributary areas, and the Lake Ontario local bait shops can direct the traveling angler to good places to fish, as well as providing egg sac baits, and local favorite lures.
 
 BTW: Trout and Salmon fishing are open all Winter long on Lake Erie, and that's one pleasure that I truly miss, since leaving that area nearly 10 years ago.

[Zulu]

Rutin2tin,
I fished lake Erie once about 15 years ago and caught a bunch of smallmouths in the 4 lb. range.  I went with a friend who had a high sided boat.  It was fun.
I suspect my bass boat wouldn't do so well in that big lake.
I like Lake Conroe because I can launch in one hour from my house.
Fayetteville, Gibbons Creek and Bastrop are close to two hours away.
Somerville is about an hour and fifteen minutes but its down 11' or 12' now.
I might have to go back tofishing out of a canoe.
Zulu

[Rutin2tin]

My first visit to Conroe was in 2006, and the Lake was beautiful then, and the next year as well.
Fast forward 4 years, and what a difference from what I'd previously viewed.

Hope the winter changes Your weather patterns and brings some needed rain to that region.
My bud who lives on Lake Conroe says the low water is cutting into his business in development.
He's been designing homes elsewhere in the Houston metro.

Good to hear that You've fished Lake Erie!
I'd have remained a resident in that area, but the winters are not only a pita, the road salt and calcium used on bridges
destroys a new car/truck in as little as 5 to 6 years. I mean....brake hydraulic lines, gas and vapor lines, body rust holes, frames even rust through.

My Chevy Suburban bought new here in SW Florida during 2004, still looks like brand new underneath, topside, underhood, etc.
And a real biggie.......no friggin' snow to deal with. We used to get as much as 4 feet of snow in a day, some winters.

IMO, Texas is a better place to live than Florida, except for those droughts which occur every so many years.
My wife wouldn't buy it when I mentioned a Texas redomicile....at the time We relocated, Her sister lived close by where we settled.
Hence, SW Florida.

[twoshooter]

hopefully gone fishing. I wish there were more people here also. I am nearing retirement and this spring will have a chance to go to Florida on vacation, and hopefully a bunch of time after next year. My best friend and hunting buddy died a few years ago of cancer and things have been pretty solitary for those years. I am looking forward to a few weeks on the piers in NW Fl in April. I posted a couple of times over the last month, it is like a ghost town.

[RWK]

Ruttin 2 i live outside of Buffalo, Lake Erie is one of the best places to go for a bunch of different fish. I mostly fish for walleye, darn good eating fish also fresh water perch.

[Rutin2tin]

I really miss the Walleye, Trout and Salmon fishing in the North!
Also miss the Northern Pike and Muskie fishing too.

Don't miss the winters at all...My house A/C is running right at this moment.
Have only had the heat on for possibly 7 or 8 overnights, and usually have switch to AC during the day.

I flew up to Buffalo on 12-22-11 and woke up AM 12-23-11 with virus, influenza.
Took about 10 days to get over it, and although I had a flu shot in Florida before I left for Buffalo, I got sick anyway.

The good thing was the shot kept the virus out of the intestinal tract, and limited it to the upper respiratory system.

Agreed: Lake Erie and the Great Lakes areas offer some of the finest fishing opportunities to be had anywhere.

[Rutin2tin]

I hear that Lake Conroe is up a few feet, though still quite below normal level.
Anyone been fishing Conroe in Texas lately?
Hope that You've improved Your catch with the increased water level! 

[Zulu]

Lake Conroe is still down 4'.  That's better than the 8' it was low but it still needs to come up.  Lots of hazards out there.
Zulu

[btmidwest]

Hi Zulu,  I went out today to my favorite 60 acre spot in Northern Indiana.  Wind chill was 25 deg. and it was snowing so I didn't stay long or catch anything but it was nice to be on the water.
 
Thanks,  BT

[Cheesehead]

I was bluegill fishing on a frozen lake in Northern Wisconsin today. A high temp of 21, about 2 feet of ice, and over a foot of fresh snow. Six keepers today, 12 yesterday.

Cheese

[btmidwest]

Hi Cheesehead,  We did not have much of a winter here.  Normally we don't have ice out here till mid march.  Good catch, you do seem to be in the middle of winter yet.  BT

[Graybeard]

I should prolly mosey off down to my pond and see if any fish survived this harsh winter we've had here in Bama. I'm pretty sure I remember several nights it dropped to around freezing maybe even a bit lower.

With all the days of sunshine and highs in the high 60s and 70s we've had the last month or so I'll bet that the ice is off my pond. 

[Zulu]

Mid 80's the other day around here.
Water temp on the lakes is around 64 degrees.  Bass are moving.
Zulu

[twoshooter]

I have been checking the Florida Panhandle fishing reports in the gulf and it is looking GOOD. 30 degrees on my porch right now, last week 70. Day after tomorrow  70. Tonight and tomorrow night- 30. Destin looking better by the minute.