Recommendations for Spring Fishing in The Parklands
With the weather warming up, attention turns to The Parklands waterways for fishing. It is a great time to pursue fish given a strong fish stocking program and the miles of new creek access opportunities afforded by the completion of Beckley Creek and Pope Lick Parks. Below are a couple of recommendations on how to make your trip more enjoyable.
First, make sure you follow all existing rules and regulations. These rules have been established by fishery biologists to preserve a high quality fishing experience in the park. This means keep only the number of fish allowed by species. When in doubt, please catch and release. If possible, reduce the number of hooks on your rigs including removal of barbs if practical.
Second, if you are taking a child fishing, remember that patience and reasonable expectations are key. This is a great guide for taking a child out fishing, if you’d like to learn more about first-time fishing trips with youngsters.
Finally, always make sure you have the appropriate gear. If kayaking or canoe fishing, that means a life jacket. And always have your fishing license (and trout stamp if applicable) current and up to date. Wardens and rangers are patrolling our waters regularly.
Below is a breakdown of some species to target and bait to use, based on two of our most-fished areas, William F. Miles Lakes and Floyds Fork.
W.F. Miles Lakes – Anglers and Green Heron
Fish Species to Target:
Rainbow Trout Channel Catfish
What to Use:
Classic Bottom fishing outfit for catfish Live Minnow or Worm Set Up
Floyds Fork
Fish Species to Target:
Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass
Spotted Bass Rainbow Trout
Where to Go:
For bass, work deeper holes and areas with submerged timber or structure on the bankside. For trout, fish the runs right below riffles and runs. Any water can hold fish, so pick out those dark pools and work them. If you don’t pick something up, simply move to the next spot. That’s the beauty of creek fishing.
What to Use:
Creeks generally have more aggressive feeders. And most anglers are convinced that the smallmouth bass is the feistiest fighter in our home waters. In the spring months, the water is often stained so go with a lure that stands out – think bright colors or jet black. Popular lures include rapalas, rooster tails, and anything fished in a jerky, almost panicked motion. Largemouth and spotted bass prefer slower moving water, so let your lure sink a second before retrieving. Try plastics for larger fish. If you are having a hard time getting past the smaller sunfish to get to larger fish, try removing the back treble hook or fishing with a larger lure.
What to Do Afterwards
Take photos, post them to The Parklands’ Facebook page, and share your big fish stories with us!