Fishing Report for Stockton Lake - 2025-04-11

April 11, 2025
Stockton Lake, MO
Overview Conditions

Fishing Report for Stockton Lake - 2025-04-11

1. Current Conditions Overview

  • Water Temperature: 45°F, indicating early spring conditions where fish are in transitional zones.
  • Ice Cover: Minimal, with 0-1 inches, allowing open water fishing.
  • Weather: High of 63.5°F and low of 46.3°F with high winds (25.5 mph average, 81.7 mph gusts), affecting fishing comfort and water conditions.
  • Sky Conditions: Mostly clear with 21% cloud cover during the day, promoting fish activity.
  • Moon Phase: Waxing gibbous with solunar activity rated 4/5, favorable for fishing.

2. Top Fishing Hotspots (Weighted Predictions)

  1. North Shore near Creek Inlet

    • Location: Northern bay with creek inlet.
    • Clarity: Stained; Temperature: 45-48°F.
    • Structure: Submerged logs and rocks.
    • Species: Largemouth bass and crappie.
    • Score: 9/10 (Protected from wind, structure attracts fish).

  2. Eastern Submerged Reef

    • Location: Mid-lake east, near sunken island.
    • Clarity: Clear; Temperature: 44-46°F.
    • Structure: Rocky reef at 10-15 feet.
    • Species: Smallmouth bass and walleye.
    • Score: 8.5/10 (Clear water, thermal gradient).

  3. South Shore Protected Coves

    • Location: Southern shoreline coves.
    • Clarity: Clear; Temperature: 46-49°F.
    • Structure: Shallow with vegetation.
    • Species: Crappie and bluegill.
    • Score: 8/10 (Warmth and shelter from wind).

  4. Western Deep Hole

    • Location: Northwest deep channel.
    • Clarity: Stained; Temperature: 43-45°F.
    • Structure: 25-30 feet deep.
    • Species: Channel catfish and flathead catfish.
    • Score: 7.5/10 (Habitat for catfish).

  5. Main Lake Hump

    • Location: Central hump near old river channel.
    • Clarity: Clear; Temperature: 44-47°F.
    • Structure: 15-20 feet with rocks.
    • Species: Walleye and smallmouth bass.
    • Score: 7/10 (Structured spot, less shelter from wind).

3. Water Clarity Analysis

URL

  • Northern Bays: Stained due to creek inflow.
  • Southern Coves: Clear with aquatic vegetation.
  • Eastern Reef: Clear water, rocky structure.
  • Western Deep Hole: Stained from sediment.

4. Thermal Gradient Analysis

  • Northern Bays (45-49°F): Warmer, attracting crappie and bass.
  • Eastern Reef (44-46°F): Cooler, walleye and smallmouth.
  • Southern Coves (46-49°F): Warm, crappie and bluegill.
  • Western Deep Hole (43-45°F): Coldest, catfish habitat.
  • Main Lake Hump (44-47°F): Moderate, walleye and bass.

5. Top Species to Target

  1. Largemouth Bass: Active in warmer, sheltered areas.
  2. Crappie: Near structure in warmer zones.
  3. Smallmouth Bass: Rocky areas with cooler temps.
  4. Walleye: Deep structures at dawn/dusk.
  5. Catfish: Deep holes with bait.

6. Weather Impact Analysis

  • Today: Windy with clear skies, seek sheltered spots.
  • Next 8 Days: Warming trend with rain on 17th, affecting clarity and fish behavior.

7. Time-of-Day Strategy

  • Morning: Target deeper structures for walleye and bass.
  • Midday: Focus on sheltered, warmer areas for crappie.
  • Evening: Return to deeper structures as fish move back.

8. MO Regulations for Stockton Lake

  • Largemouth Bass: 15" min, 5 daily.
  • Crappie: 9" min, 15 daily.
  • Walleye: 18" min, 4 daily.
  • Catfish: No min, 10 daily combined.

9. Reasoning Appendix

  • Weighting: Thermal (high), Clarity (high), Structure (medium-high), Weather (medium).
  • Thermal Gradients: Influence fish metabolism and location.
  • Clarity Variations: Affect lure visibility and fish behavior.
  • Structure: Provides habitat and ambush points.
  • Weather: Impacts fishing conditions and fish activity.

This report provides a comprehensive analysis to guide anglers effectively on Stockton Lake today.