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Orangespotteds in SE Illinois


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#21 centrarchid

centrarchid
  • NANFA Guest

Posted 13 May 2017 - 04:44 AM

Yes.   Once the waters dump into swamp the stream / ditch goes east.  I just checked out a google map and saw changes in terms of accessibility. If water is up, then check dead water areas close to dam.  If water levels down then concentrate efforts on areas of flow down stream.  Make effort to check below first bridge downstream of dam.  We caught the O-spots with seine, usually while targeting Pirate Perch or gar.  The lowland form of longear is also abundant.

 

 

Catching the fish in the lake proper was hit or miss and seldom with any large numbers.


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#22 4WheelVFR

4WheelVFR
  • NANFA Guest

Posted 13 May 2017 - 05:41 AM

Is that stream shallow enough to wade in from the spillway and under the bridge, or do you have to walk around to access it downstream? 



#23 centrarchid

centrarchid
  • NANFA Guest

Posted 13 May 2017 - 06:42 AM

It changes year to year.  Last time I was there a log jam was the obstruction.  Deepest I recall was about chest deep.


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#24 Matt DeLaVega

Matt DeLaVega
  • Forum Staff
  • Ohio

Posted 13 May 2017 - 09:38 AM

I went with Uland and back then we would jump into about anything, and neither one of us had much interest spending time directly below the dam despite all of the shortnose and spotted gar that were visible. It was super muddy, deep and filled with leg breakers . We spent about 5 minutes, then opted to go downstream a bit. Downstream just FYI, had one of the highest concentrations of tadpole madtoms I have ever seen. So sort debris carefully.

 

We had good luck seining the lake itself, and the substrate is surprisingly firm. Our success in the lake may have been due to  the time of year. Late June. Good luck to you guys. Some other great places to hit in the Shawnee area. Finding spring cavefish (Forbesichthys agassizii) was so exciting I think I literally danced.

 

 Here is the trip report. http://forum.nanfa.o...ational +forest


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