Question About Fishing Fertilize Lakes & How it affect Bluegill Hits

[Bill Trussell]

I just got back from fishing one of favorite lakes today. What I found out after I got on the water is that it had just been fertilized. I for one don’t like to fish fertilize lakes because I feel it affects the way the fish feed. What are your feelings on fishing fertilized lakes and how and what do you guys use to fish slim green water loaded with ferttilize?

[Bill Trussell]

Magnolia Rick
How often do you fertilize your pond. Do you notice the difference in the way they feed right after your fertilize? Can you still catch fish the day or the day after fertilizing?

[Bill Trussell]

So you are saying that you do continue to use the fly rod in fertilize lakes. Last year it got so bad in this lake that you could see green slim floating on the water surface. I got really disgusted and stop using the fly rod all together. I don't even fish the place in July and August. I know fertilize will help the growth of the fish, but my complaint is, why fertilize in early spring when the water is still cold and clear, and not much vegetation is going to grow anyway. I know I can do nothing about this, but the forum is a place I can vent my frustration. I guess I can treat this situation like fishing in a muddy lake. I also know after the bluegill spawn they leave the shallows and head back to deep water, making it more difficult to fish the fly rod unless you are using a beadhead nymph, or something that will sink faster and get down quicker. Let me know what you think.

[Tobias Jackson Jr.]

I have fished in fertilized lakes for some time now and I have found that in a fertilized lakes or ponds to me or my experience fishing on them is that it seems to produce bigger fish and the way they act and if I head out to a lake with fertilizer in it and I know the fish want be able to see it I swich to darker flies like: black woolybuggers and crappie candy in black and egg sucking leeches thats what I have notice in the ponds I fish. What do yall think?

[Magnolia Rick]

I fertilizes my pond first of spring 65 water temp just before the spawning. The green color also keeps the sun light out a little and slow down the weed growth. It'll all be back to normal in about 10 to 15 day. At least down here in my little pond

[Bill Trussell]

My biggest complaint is the clarity of the water. The main lake I fished in Jasper is fertilized when the water temps reach 60 degrees. Before the fertilize the water is super clear and I can fish with the fly rod and the fish have no trouble seeing my flies. With a heavy dose of fertilize they can't see the flies. My take on fertilize is do it in the hot summer months when very few fisherman are on the water. What is your take---do you fly fish in a fertilize lake?

[Lord of the Fly , Rods]

I alway wait a few days after they fertilize a lake because the fertilizer could have a corrosive with my boat and gear, after a few days fishing , fishing seems normal.