Reedsburg Dam Fishing Report

Reedsburg Dam with very low water levels

The hot and very dry summer has left many of the lakes around Michigan with low water levels. Reeds burg Dam and the Dead Stream Flooding are no exception. The low side of the dam is at the lowest it has been in many years. It has only rained a few times in the Houghton Lake area since spring.

Add that the winter was mild and below normal snow fall hindered the water levels after the initial runoff which came early in February/March. Water levels were very low last year due to lack of rain but this year is even worse.

What are normally good areas to fish in at this time of year have become so shallow that the vegetation has grown to the point that access is limited at best. One such area is directly across from the boat launch. The fishing there was very good in the spring but levels are so low you might be able to walk on it.

Sunset at Reedsburg Dam (Dead Stream Flooding)

With all that said, the fishing is still good, sometimes. The warm weather and low water levels are heating the water to the point of being like a heated pool. Great for swimmers and sunbathers but not so much for fishing. The very warm water keeps fish still and slows their feeding. So fishing is best in the morning after the water has had a chance to cool overnight. Also fishing in the late evening is usually good about an hour before sunset.

Small fish can usually be caught any time during the day mostly near Lilly pads or other vegetation that offers cover. Trolling can be very effective for larger fish. Since there is no real deep water at Reedsburg (especially now) try trolling near or over weed beds or reeds.

Two hook harness with plastic worm

Lately I've had success with a plastic worm on a two hook harness with a single spinner, I have two, one with a silver spinner and one with a single florescent green spinner blade and five beads. I troll with a 50 Minn Kota electric motor set at one or two if trolling into the wind. This allows me to troll for hours without draining the battery very much.



Best time: Mornings at sunrise

Best bait: A toss up but I do well with nightcrawlers, both real or plastic if trolling. The plastic stops the small ones from biting the tail and pulling the bait off the hooks.

So come on up and don't forget your bug spray and sun block. Oh yeah and a bathing suit because the water is fine.

Sunbathers taking a dip from the dam

Sunset over the Reedsburg Dam

Sunset over Dead Stream Flooding

Hope to see you up here. It's been a great summer so far...

Ken S

Beautiful Weather and the Fishing is Easy

Reedsburg Dam State Camp Ground Fall of 2010
by
K. Stephenson

Spring is on the way. The weather here is in the thirties. The lake has more shanties on it than I have ever seen before. It seems perfect for ice fishing but use caution. When the temperature goes up and the sun shines, the ice cracks and refreezes at night leaving a pushed up ridge of ice and weak areas that won't support weight. Smelt and perch are still biting. Some walleye and pike are being pulled out of the ice. Minnows are still working and wax worms. Good luck!

Ice fishing is great but I have a few spots I want to try out in my pond hopper (see picture above). You can't see the bass jumping under the ice. The fish are feistier when the water warms and their metabolism cranks back up. Yah-hooo. There's a great kayaking trip on the Muskegon river I want to check out. I'm ready to get out and about in some warmer weather. The back roads and two tracks I love to travel are too snow covered to drive on even with 4 wheel drive and my snowmobile isn't running. It's official, I have cabin fever.


Stay safe, warm and dry,

Ken S.