I just got back from fishing Cataract for a week so thought I would give a report. The water was still about 30' high and more rain coming down when I left. I'm usually there in July when the water is at normal level so not used to dealing with the high water. I had great weather my first two days and they were spent trying to find the quality fish (11-14") I had found the past two years. The fishing method was pulling drop shot double-minnow rigs, vertical jigging tree bases, slip-bobbering, and crankbaiting. I caught quite a few fish in the 6-9" range however only about ten fish over 10" in the first two days. Then, the weather turned bad and I could only get out for a parts of the day the rest of week with rain/lightning staying around. On bad days, I still caught about 50 fish but mostly small. On good days, I caught about 100 fish with only about 15 of them going over 10". I never caught one over 12" the whole week which was surprise to me. The best colors were yellow/chartruese, lime green/green, and sparkle scaly head with red beads in front. Mostly tipped with minnows however nibbles did the job, too. The better fish were caught in the flooded trees in about 16' - 25' fow tickling the tops of the tree tops 10-14' down. The water temps ranged from 71 (beginning of day) and ended around 74 - 77 depending on where you were at. Up by the dam is where the temps were coolest (makes sense) and where I saw the biggest fish however could not get her landed. I'm guessing around 14" but she came off when trying to pull her over a branch about 2' below surface.

I also fished right by a deer tree stand and had some good luck there. It was kind of funny tying up to that tree. I was bit off by I'm not sure what. Are there musky or northern in CM?

All in all, a great time again however the fishing was better the two previous years when water is normal level(note to self). I know there are good ones there I just did not see one this week.

BTW - I have an out of state Park Pass if anyone has friends or relatives coming this year to Indiana. It would save them $46.00 and give them access to all parks in your state. If anyone is interested, please let me know and I will share info and get it mailed out to you. I asked at the park office and they said this was OK for me to do. NOTE: It has to be OUT-OF-STATE people since the is the pass I had to buy.


Regards,
Waygate10