Abundance and quality of largemouth bass have remained in the good to excellent range for the past few years. The most recent electrofishing survey indicates that about 1/3 of the fish are 14 inches or larger. In the spring and fall, Varner offers a great opportunity to catch a 5-plus-pound bass. Practice selective harvest to improve bass quality by harvesting smaller, legal fish (bass at least 12 inches) and releasing larger bass (those greater than 18 inches)
Technique
Popular lures include topwater baits, soft plastics, swim baits, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits and jigs. These baits can be fished around grass mats, stumps and lay-down trees. Crankbaits, suspending jerk baits and jigs around cover are effective in late winter and early spring. In late spring, try topwater lures, floating worms and soft plastic shad imitations like flukes or bass assassins. Plastic worms and deep diving crankbaits are ideal for summer, and spinnerbaits work well in fall.
Target
During winter months, use crankbaits, spinnerbaits, swimbaits and jigs around the edges of grass and around other shoreline cover. In spring and summer, concentrate on fishing grass beds and mats. Use weedless lures such as topwater frogs, rattle traps and soft plastic baits.
Hybrid Bass
Prospect
Numbers of fish were up again during the 2010 gill net survey. Expect good numbers of fish in the 14 to 16-inch range, however, catches over 20 inches (6-8 pounds) are very common.
Technique
Live bait, jigging spoons, rooster tails, rattle traps and small crankbaits are recommended.
Target
Fish in deeper water near the creek channels and dam area. Keep an eye to the surface as hybrid striped bass chase shad around the surface, providing some exciting fishing action.
Bream
Prospect
Bluegill and redear sunfish populations are in good condition. Expect good numbers of sunfish in the 5-8 inch range, with some catches around 10 inches (½ to ¾ lbs).
Technique
Live bait-worms, night crawlers and crickets. Also try rooster tails, beettle spins and smaller jigs.
Target
Fish shallower water along shorelines and coves in early spring through summer. Also target spawning sunfish in late spring through summer.
Crappie
Prospect
The population is in good condition. The best time to fish for crappie is in the winter and early spring, especially in April, depending on water temperatures.
Technique
Minnows and jigs are recommended.
Target
Early in the season, fish in deeper water near the creek channels and dam area. In the spring, focus on more shallow water as temperatures approach 60 degrees (F), and target the upper end of the two major tributaries for spawning fish.
Good:
Fair:
