Thread: COE Lakes

The Corps folks will tell you the lakes are for flood control and nothing else. They, for the most part, could care less about fishermen. Let some politician get his drawers in a wad over hydrilla around his dock or a resort owner get upset over something and see how quickly they take care of that.

We fishermen just don't count most of the time even though they were going to barricade off the tailwaters below the dams here and we got politicians on our side and the corps backed off. Of course that was an election year also.

That's what I was told also. That the reservoir where I fish is for flood control and not recreation purposes. They lower it really fast when they drop the water. I wonder just how many fish go through the water gates. Then they also seem to mess up the spring spawn when raising and lowering it then also.

At times a good many will go out the gates but it is not a constant thing. I do know that when we have a flood type year I sure am glad they did get in pulled down. Hwy 7 between Oxford and Holly Springs, Grenada and Coffeeville have both been raised but in time I am sure we will see it not be enough.

You are right. I am sure that the COE has the safety of all the people in mind. A lot more flooding would probably happen if they did not help in the flood control with these lakes.

Originally Posted by Rees Guide

With all the talk of flooding going on I been watching the COE lakes, mostly Grenada because its where I live. Our winter pool level is 193, they try to reach this each winter, sometimes it stays down for a while but most years it's not there very long. This year has been much the same as it was at the 193 range for little over a week before it started rising. Christmas day it was at 195 and by morning, 31st, it will be above 204, a 9 foot rise! As the lake fills it takes more rain to make it rise due to the area it covers as it rises but we are way ahead of curve.
I say all that to say this, flood control lakes are just that and we as fishermen just have to deal with what we are dealt. I have been asked to head up a campaign to ask for the COE to consider raising the "winter pool" numbers on the Big Four. We had good luck with the MDWFP back in the spring with the pole limits thing but this a completely different animal and I honestly don't think we will ever see any change in these winter pool numbers, I just don't think this is a fight that can be won.
Being flood control lakes make them unique, very rare are 2 springs the same and certainly not 2 in a row as far as where you fish. You learn the lake a many different levels and the best way to do this is with time on the water. Water clarity sometimes, like now, is very tuff and you pretty much have to put the bait on their noses but as you search and learn there are places that seem to clear up quicker making fish easier to catch on tuff days.
With winter only ten days old we are all looking forward to spring and it has the makings of being a very interesting spring. Haven't caught crappy in the cotton fields in a long time but this just may be a year for that.
Happy New Year guys and gals, hope everyone has a great year.

Nice post, well said... So, have you seriously caught crappie in a flooded cotton field? I guess if the stalks are still standing then it'd be plenty of structure to fish around haha

yep . get out the small boats , we will be back in the trees .

You are right John. I would leave this fight alone..personally, I would like to see the fish left alone in the winter. They get hit hard enough when the spring starts.

You know......we are just lucky the Federal Gov't and the COE built those lakes.....even tho the flood control practices and policy that these lakes were built for affect the fishermen....we still have the four best crappie lakes in the U.S. ..... Fishing cant be great all the time....heck its not on any lake....thats just part of fishing.