Split Rock, Saturday.

[briansnat]

Spent yesterday on Split Rock. Glad to see the water level is up. It appears to be about 5 feet below normal. I'm not sure if this is the new normal, or that the level still has to do with the dam work, but considering that it was 20 feet below normal the past two years, that's a good sign.

As far as fishing, I had my rod and took a few casts now and then (nada), but I was mostly geocaching with a lady friend. When she went off to find a geocache that I had previously found I stayed in the boat and took a few casts, regardless of whether it looked like a promising spot. So I can't say I was seriously fishing it. The few serious anglers I encountered reported nothing more than a bass or two.

Just glad to see the water back in the reservoir.

[buzzbaiter]

In all honesty, I find reservoirs(or any lake for that matter) easier to fish when lowered. Of course I only fish from shore or wade so obviously my opinion is a bit skewed since working the edges is much easier when not dealing with 10 foot dropoffs or the steep sides that reservoirs often have.

[AndyS]

Hope the parking lot and area trails were clean. The State already did one smallmouth stocking in there, hopefully they will stock again.
Very pretty lake indeed.

[briansnat]

Hope the parking lot and area trails were clean. The State already did one smallmouth stocking in there, hopefully they will stock again.
Very pretty lake indeed.

It certainly is. Once you get away from the dam, it has the feel of a remote Adirondack pond. We took a short hike to Indian Cliffs with a great view of the reservoir and surroundings from there, but plentiful beer cans at the overlook. Kids coming over from Smoke Rise I guess, because from the parking it's a 6-8 mile hike depending on your approach.

I really hope that the planned boat ramp isn't built because it will totally change the aesthetics of the area. I really don't want to see it filled with bass boats. Even if they make it electric only, the ramp will bring in all of the yahoos. The steep, 100 yard carry to the water keeps a lot of them out.

[briansnat]

In all honesty, I find reservoirs(or any lake for that matter) easier to fish when lowered. Of course I only fish from shore or wade so obviously my opinion is a bit skewed since working the edges is much easier when not dealing with 10 foot dropoffs or the steep sides that reservoirs often have.

I know shore fishing was not allowed there. Since the state took over the area last year, I'm not sure if that rule changed.

[The Birdman]

I was there today for the first time. really nice place, got some decent largies. next time I'm not bring do much stuff, man that hill is a bit** ! took the flat bottom all the way to the back of the res.
andy when did they stock smallies in there? i know they did way back 2000 and '03

[briansnat]

I was there today for the first time. really nice place, got some decent largies. next time I'm not bring do much stuff, man that hill is a bit** ! took the flat bottom all the way to the back of the res.

Wow, more power to ya for taking a flat bottom to the end. It's a good paddle in a kayak or canoe. Rowing a jon boat must have been tough. The grassy area at the north end (in your pic) looked very promising, but unfortunately fishing wasn't my chief reason for going there. I would have worked that section all day if fishing was my goal.

[The Birdman]

Thanks Bri yea that place is really beautiful. we even brought batteries and trolling motor no rowing . the group boy scouts looked at us like we were nuts!

[AndyS]

I know I read it somewhere that the State did stock a couple hundred smallmouth in there, maybe a few years ago.
I was in the back one time on a calm summer day and got destroyed by horse flies, BEWARE !!
I don't think a boat ramp will be installed. It took them 6 years just to clear a path to the water and remove the tree roots at the bottom.

[briansnat]

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/t31.0-8/11415501_10205209730855852_7214137102997019149_o.j pg

The grassy area from shore.

[AndyS]

Must be quite a hike to get back there !

[briansnat]

Thanks Bri yea that place is really beautiful. we even brought batteries and trolling motor no rowing . the group boy scouts looked at us like we were nuts!

The Boy Scouts, the place was crawling with them. They were camped out on the islands. One scoutmaster told me they portaged the gear and boats from the nearby scout camp Friday night. I'm not sure how legal that was. I've encountered a few "stealth campers" there in the past and thought about it myself, but one one island I counted 18 tents. While I was hanging one one island I heard of the adults continually yell to the kids to beach the boats on the back side of the island, which was out of view from the main lake. I suspect that they were there illegally and knew it.

[briansnat]

Must be quite a hike to get back there !

Three and a half mile paddle, into the wind (for us). If you walk it, it is quite a hike. That grassy area is deep enough to get a boat in. We paddled well into it but turned around when it got too thick.

[briansnat]

I know I read it somewhere that the State did stock a couple hundred smallmouth in there, maybe a few years ago.
I was in the back one time on a calm summer day and got destroyed by horse flies, BEWARE !!
I don't think a boat ramp will be installed. It took them 6 years just to clear a path to the water and remove the tree roots at the bottom.

Hoping you are correct, but when the state does stupid thing they tend to do them faster.

[buzzbaiter]

I know shore fishing was not allowed there. Since the state took over the area last year, I'm not sure if that rule changed.


Shoreline fishing is now allowed as of this year but the steep nature of it makes is very difficult and even dangerous in spots. I doubt you see many bucket brigades casting off cliffs there.