Thread: Smith Lake/Ryan Creek ?

Never fished Ryan but you have my attention.

I've never heard of Ryan Creek, but two areas are always of interest for me in a kayak on/near a big lake.

1) Feeder creeks. Best ones are always at least 8 to 10 feet deep with laydowns. I look for creeks that have something to block big boat traffic much of the time. Limestone with the winter drawdown causes the low water at the mouth. 8 Mile creek is blocked by the county road. These features limit angler traffic, but not fish movement.

2) I love finding borrow pits behind or adjacent lakes (typically near the dam). No one drives miles to big water just to fish the 10- or 15-acre borrow pit behind the dam. Many borrow pits only connect to the lake or river during high water and aren't accessible by road but are on public land. If they don't go dry in the summer, they can be epic!

So I guess this leads me to a question about 8 mile creek, the road runs between the lake and the creek, are there pipes or something under the road that allow the fish to move back and forth? And if so is 8 mile creek considered a separate body of water from Catoma? Thanks I have always wanted to ask this question.

IMO depends on where he was talking about. Ryan Creek gets wide, deep and popular the closer to the dam you get. From Smith Lake park/Spiegel's back away from the dam, I would agree. This time of year would be ideal for a kayak. Not many big boats gonna risk it and if they do they will probably not be on plane and sticking to the creek channel. Along 222 I see lots of stumps and trees sticking out of the water. We are 10' below summer pool so most of that is usually covered....but not all. Full disclosure.....I drive by it every day and tell myself Imma try it.....but I never have.


PS - there are no crappie in Smith Lake.....barren.....striper ate'em all...lol

Originally Posted by Physiksgeek

IMO depends on where he was talking about. Ryan Creek gets wide, deep and popular the closer to the dam you get. From Smith Lake park/Spiegel's back away from the dam, I would agree. This time of year would be ideal for a kayak. Not many big boats gonna risk it and if they do they will probably not be on plane and sticking to the creek channel. Along 222 I see lots of stumps and trees sticking out of the water. We are 10' below summer pool so most of that is usually covered....but not all. Full disclosure.....I drive by it every day and tell myself Imma try it.....but I never have.


PS - there are no crappie in Smith Lake.....barren.....striper ate'em all...lol

He told me to put in at the park and go up the creek. He said the same thing,the boats that come in there take it easy. I may give it a try sometime. It’s only 15 miles from me. Closer than anywhere I fish.


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I’d like to find a put in a little farther on upstream though.


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Originally Posted by Attack123

So I guess this leads me to a question about 8 mile creek, the road runs between the lake and the creek, are there pipes or something under the road that allow the fish to move back and forth? And if so is 8 mile creek considered a separate body of water from Catoma? Thanks I have always wanted to ask this question.

I’d like to know the answer myself. I’m thinking there are pipes but don’t really know.


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Across from Cappys boat rentals just past the four way at whitsons is where I see people put in. Not sure the process for doing so. They got a pay box for people that launc small boats in the summer but they are closed for the season currently.