Thread: Kayak Trip Report, Swan Creek WMA

For anyone interested you can launch a kayak or flat bottom (including off a trailer) at the unimproved ramp. The water is about 18 to 24 inches with some deeper water (about 3 foot) near the train tracks on the east side. I specialize in skinny water so I'm at home there, but it takes some time to learn the area and adjust how to fish that skinny. I dropped a jig next to a buckbrush limb in about 15 inches of water with a 10-foot ultralight jig rod when I hooked the big gill. He took off and I thought I had a good Bass since he ran about 30 feet against a light drag before he turned the first time. I had several Black Crappie that were 14 or 15 inches that came from the same type of area and depth. It takes a lot of time to learn where the few hard bottom areas are with some cover. I enjoy the challenge and like having the place to myself most of the summer. This is one of the areas where I've caught a limit of Crappie with the water temperatures in the 90's in two feet of water. The Crappie would love to move to deep water, but there's none available. Surprisingly the Crappie, Gills, Bass and Catfish are always fat and aggressive when you can find them (if you can manage not to spook them). Lots of very long cast on light line or jig and bobber.

Neat. I have fished that area several times in a kayak and a few times in the flat bottom. I like the kayak better, I feel more quiet and I feel like I can control it better. Also my kayak is a lot more comfortable than my flat bottom. But, I lose being able to stand and sight fish as easily. Also cannot bring as much gear.

I have caught several panfish in there. Also some very nice bass on frogs and yum dingers.

In mid summer that place feels like the water is boiling and the sun is baking hahahah.