Re: Hey Thanks Fritchey Raystown Lake Central PA.
Capt Ultra<br /><br />Take the info on the websites for what it worth. These are fishing guides trying to sell trips. They do have some good info and pics, but they tend to stretch the truth a bit. The striper-guide website does have its own I-board and activity will pick up during fishing season. There is also a fishing report update about every two weeks during fishing season, the report is usually relatively accurate.<br /><br />Although 40lb's do exist and our caught somewhat frequently they are not an everyday occurence. I have seen 40lb's caught, I have an uncle who has caught several in that size range. I know for a fact that even the professional guides on the lake don't catch 40lb or even 30lb fish every time out. I have yet to land any that big. My largest fish to date has been 25lbs. We had several hits last year of fish that I believe would have broke the 25lb barrier, but was not lucky enough to land. One broke my line after about a 15 min fight. Another hit while I was landing a smaller fish(about 12lbs), I was in the boat by myself when the second rod went down, before I realized it was a bigger fish and set the first rod down, it had already ran enough line to get in the trees.<br /><br />The size limit on the lake is a minimum of 20" length and maximum of 2 fish/person. The lake is better known for its size potential of its fish than for the shear number of fish. Because of the size potential some fishermen (not all)will turn back anything under the 10lb in hopes of catching something bigger.<br /><br />As you mentioned, the lake changes as run down it. For this reason many fishermen will concentrate ther efforts on one part of the lake. The lake can be pretty much broken up into thirds. Each third of the lake will contain a population of fish throughtout the year but the bulk of the fish will move as the water temperature changes. In spring (mid march-through april) the bulk of the fish will be in the upper third of the lake. During this time they will run up into the river. As the water warms they will gradually start to move down the lake. In early summer (may-june) the bulk of the fish will be in the middle of the lake (James Creek area). During summer (july-august) when the water is the warmest most of the fish will be in the lower third of the lake. When fall sets in (sept-oct) the fish move back up the lake.<br /><br />The lake tends to be tough to fish at times. This is due to a couple of reasons. First, the fish can be very selective in what they are feeding on. The lake contains a large population of shad and alewives, it also contains a smelt population. This large forage base combined with the usually clear water means your presentation must be natural looking. Secondly, the lake has a large amount of structure under the surface, (including the timber)this tends to spread the fish out. The standing timber generally is only in water 100ft or deeper, the tops of the trees are usually 25-40ft under the surface. The first real substantial amount of timber on the lake is in the James Creek area around mile markers #14&15. The is about the first place on the lake where the water depth will reach 100ft in the channel. From there on down the lake, the timber can be found consistently. As with any lake the key is to find the baitfish and the stripers are usually not far behind. Because of these two reasons you will rarely catch fish all day until your arms hurt from realing them in. The most I have caught in one trip was 18 (most were 5-10lb). Usually a couple of fish is a good day. But the potential for a large fish is good, while the average is probably 8-10lbs.<br /><br />General fishing info:<br /><br />Early spring (Mid march through april)<br /><br />The fish are usually in the upper third of the lake. The fish run up the river to spawn. The favorite methods for fishing this time of year is throwing 5-7" minnow plugs (Rebels, Red Fins, Bomber Long A's, rapala's). The best colors tend to be blue/white and black/white and black/gold. Bucktail Jigs are also good this time of year. The best color for jigs is white head with a white or chartruse curly tail (either 3" or 6") Both plugs and jigs can be worked along the points and flats in the upper end of the lake. The area around mile makers 25-26 tends to be very good. The fishing can be inconsistent this time of year due to the weather. The bite will be very good and then a cold front will shut the fish down for several days to a week.<br /><br />Live bait (shad & alewives)can also be used with success this time of year but is usually very hard to catch.<br /><br />Early summer (may-june)<br /><br />The bulk of the fish have moved down the lake. Fish can still be caught on the minnow plugs (same colers as above) but by now most of the action on plugs is at night and the action is close to shore, the fish are feeding on spawning alewives. <br /><br />Fishing with live bait (5-7" shad and alewives) has become productive. The bait is usually fished on bottom overnight from a beached boat. While the water is cool fishing from shore can be productive throughout the day but as the water warms the fish tend to head for deeper waters during the day by june trolling live bait over the standing timber becomes more productive than fishing from shore during daylight hours. Fishing from shore on bottom is still productive overnight. (The previous website have info on catching shad and alewives and how to keep them alive.)<br /><br />Bucktail jigs can also be trolled over top of the standing timber. (Same colers as above)<br /><br />When trolling live bait and jigs always keep the bait depth at or just above the depth of the fish. The lake during this time of year will start to develope a strong thermocline usually (18-30ft throughout the summer) The stripers tend to feed at or just above the thermocline throughout the year. One of the keys is to fish structure that is at the depth of the top of the thermocline whether it is shoreline structure of the tops of the standing timber. The areas around mile markers 15,14,12,11,10 are usually productive.<br /><br />Summer (july-Aug)<br /><br />Bottom fishing from shore is usually limited to night and the first hour of day light.<br /><br />Trolling during daylight hours is the best either artificial or live bait. Live bait is harder to get and keep alive now. The snyders run area is the most productive this time of year. Mile markers 4 to the dam are the best areas<br /><br />Fall (Sept-Oct)<br /><br />Fishing may be the best of the year. Trolling is the generally prefered method. Live bait or bucktails are productive. Best areas tend to be Mile markers 10-17.<br /><br /><br />Salmon on the lake are very limited, I have never caught one. As far as I know salmon do not naturally reproduce in the lake and they have not stocked any for several years. There are some, you here of one being caught now and then but not often. The PA state record was caught last summer by accident by a striper fisherman trolling for stripers with live bait. I think it went about 17lbs.<br /><br />Lake trout on the other hand are plentiful.<br /><br /><br />Everybody has there different methods for fishing the lake but this what I have found to be the most productive.<br /><br />Good fishin
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