Weekly Report: Lake Whitney - March 23th 2024

     Lake Whitney, Clifton Texas:    

                                   Structure & Underwater Topography:

        Lake Whitney is dominated by natural rock shorelines, including steep bluffs, boulders, and sand and gravel flats. Submerged timber and flooded terrestrial vegetation add to the diversity of natural habitat for fish while man-made habitats include boat ramps, marinas, piers, docks, and bridge pilings.

        The most recent project, also consisting of three freshwater reefs, was completed in coves along the shores of Lake Whitney State Park. To date, a total of six freshwater reefs have been deployed in Lake Whitney.

Targeting Game Fish:

Striped Bass:

Lake Whitney currently provides some of the best striped bass fishing in the state, with March through May being the best months. Bank anglers are most successful fishing below sand or gravel bars on the Nolan and Brazos Rivers above the reservoir. In the main lake, anglers fish on windswept sandy beaches using shad or inland silverside ("ghost minnows") for bait. 

Boat anglers find stripers in the open reservoir feeding on large schools of shad or near submerged brush or timber. Topwater lures, jigs, and live bait are all effective at this time of year. From June through September, the lake is stratified, with little oxygen and cooler temperatures below 20 to 30 feet.

Stripers seek out the coolest water they can find with tolerable oxygen levels. Trolling or drift fishing using large diving baits, jigs, or live bait may catch these suspended fish. Most summer catches are made in the middle and lower portions of the reservoir. In October and November, stripers inhabit all depths. They are frequently found along river channels in deep water, and occasionally feeding at the surface. From December through March, troll river and creek channels using large jigs and other artificial baits. Many wintertime catches are made fishing off the bottom with live bait, slabs, or jigs.