posted on: June 29, 2020

Sunday on St. Mary's Lake

Type: Nontidal
Region: Southern
Location: St. Mary's Lake

I got up early and found myself on St Mary�s Lake by 5:45. It�s a mile walk back to the lake on Dam Rd, which is gravel and is accessible off Indian Bridge Rd. But only to foot traffic. The parking lot and boat ramps are under repair and hopefully will be open soon, but projected to be in August/September.

The sun had just risen above the horizon with yellow/orange colored clouds reflecting off the water. It was like a mirror and the only disruption to it�s surface was caused by largemouth bass feeding on minnows.

I started with my basics, casting a four inch paddle tail on a 1/4oz jig and a six in wacky worm on a shaky head jig. I found that the bass would take the baits if I casted into their surface feeding, but they wouldn�t take a topwater bait.

I also found bass in relatively shallow water under over hanging trees or shrubs. There I would cast a wacky worm rig. In all I caught 12 largemouth bass and a crappie and a big old yellow perch, both bycatch. Several of the fish I caught had very small minnows in their mouths or in their throats. So if you happen to have a bunch of them I�d recommend bringing them along for the ride.