This page was last updated on MAY 11 2012 07:12 A.M.
Willow Slough FWA lakes and ponds
For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.
Description:
Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area is dedicated to providing quality hunting and fishing opportunities while maintaining 9,956 acres, which includes 1,800 acres of open water, marshes and flooded crop land. In addition to fishing at J.C. Murphey Lake and numerous ponds, the property also offers hunting, wildlife watching, camping, wetland trapping, and dog training areas. Wild blackberries, blueberries and raspberries, walnuts and spring and fall mushroom gathering is available.
Fish
Black crappie
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The Black crappie has seven to eight dorsal spines, as well as some random blotches on it's sides.
Bait: minnows/jigs
Depth: 2 to 5 feet
Comments about fish:
Few reports about crappie for the last three weeks. Some anglers are catching 1 or 2 here and there. Surface water temps now in 60's. Warm fronts are improving the fishing.
Bluegill
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.
Bait: beemoths, crickets, worms
Depth: N/A
Comments about fish:
Bluegill fishing has been picking up with the warmer water temperatures. A few have been taken in deeper water along vegetation and shorelines. Most anglers favor early morning or late evening. The latest warm fronts have turned up the bite. Gills are grouping up in preperation for spawning efforts, some beds have developed.
Largemouth bass
Description:
Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.
Bait: variety of lures
Depth: N/A
Comments about fish:
Bass fishing has been fair. Top water lures are always a good choice along with plastic worms. Many fish are in the 12 - 15 inch size class,under the legal size limit.
Comments about body of water:
JC Murphey Lake had minimal ice this year. The water is open for boat fishing. Surface water temperature is now in 60's. Emergent vegetation is minimal now and with some early weed control applications completed, the submergent vegetation should stay in check.
