Laurie's Report: Eddie Mackin's Big Smallmouth

Laurie Murphy:

Water temps on the Main Lake are around 45 degrees, with the shallower sections of the lake about 50 degrees. The night walleye bite has started to pick up with the season opening back up on May 1st. Fish on average were about 3 - 5 pounds with some probably hitting the 7 or 8 pound mark.  The crappie bite is still on with fish suspended over large shallow flats. Live fatheads, small rufus jigs or cubbie mites under a bobber and small swimbaits accounted for most of the fish caught. Several nice crappie were weighed in with Alex Stockton’s crappie weighing 1 lb 15 oz, and Aaron Graybill of Lake Hopatcong Guide Service with his largest weighing 1 lb 11 oz.  Nice Largemouth along with several nice Smallmouth have also been hitting. Eddie Mackin’s smallmouth hit the scale at 4 lb 9 oz. Bass season will be closing in the next few days with catch and release only from April 15 - June 15. Yellow perch and pickerel have been consistent also. Trout season opened here on April 9th. Trolling phoebes, spinners or smaller stick baits in shallower water usually works for these fish. The Knee Deep Club will be holding their Trout & Pickerel contest on April 24th. Please check their website for more information. Have a great week !