Suggestions for fishing muddy water.

[Mike Cooper]

We're getting rain, rain, and more rain here this spring. Seems like every time the water starts to clear we get another drenching and it's back to the water being too thick to drink and too thin to plow (as my uncle used to say).

Went to the local lake today and visibility was only a couple inches at best, and more rain is predicted for later in the week.

Any suggestions for how to find & catch bluegill in the muddy water, or should I just forget it until it clears up?

[carl hendrix]

MIKE; AT THIS TIME OF YEAR; AND WATER MUCH LIKE YOURS;; I USUALLY TRY TO FIND A STEEP BANK;; DRIFT ALONG IT;; JUST TAKING IT EASY AND RELAXING GOING DOWN RIVER;; USUALLY CATCH QUITE A FEW THAT WAY

[Slip Sinker]

… My two neighborhood lakes are reservoirs that get muddied up pretty good during the spring rains and runoff. early in the season i approach these lakes by searching out the most protected cuts without the inlets or clear water inlets. These warm the quickest and usually have the clearest water.

The most favorable and rewarding option is to fish the natural lakes or ponds... in my neighborhood they usually remain clear throughout most of the year.

[John Sheehan]

Absolutely !, try to find a clear water inlet and fish the muddy Line . I have caught Trout and Smallmouth Bass using noise makers like rattletraps and steady rolled spinners and Spinnerbaits .Slow and teady is best , like fishing a Jitterbug at night ya gotta help the fish time the take. Now, if the Bluegill aren't reacting this way a scented bait  deadsticked with patience may work .Hope you figure it out and tell me what worked Mike! 

[John Sheehan]

Almost always go with Chartreuse under muddy conditions .

[Slip Sinker]

…we fished those conditions yesterday in a small reservoir ... found the clearer warmer water tucked way into an deep cut. There were significant amounts of carp cruising in the 50 deg water near the surface. Could not entice a bite from a panfish.

What ive found stress is the main culprit for the fish negativity… under those conditions its tough to make any species bite. Any sudden change in water conditions results in a negative response from the finned friends.

Today we’re headed to a clear natural lake to up our odds… Good Luck!

[Mike Cooper]

Checked out the lake today and it was still too muddy for bluegill (and stocked trout) fishing. I may just go after catfish (plenty of channel cats & bullheads in the lake) until the rains taper off.

[Slip Sinker]

i'm thinking a big old chatterbait...lol