I live about 5 hours away. I'd like to know when it turns into good fishing there. And also a map of the lake. I know I'm gonna want to fish discharge and the bridge has lots of stumps once you get past it but that's about all I know

They haven't been running the power plant like they have in the past. In fact, they barely ran it last year. Unless it has changed recently, Monti is more of a traditional lake than a PP lake.

Well that's not good news. Our local power plant lake hasn't made any hot water this year yet. Fish are still biting just not as much

Traditional lake now.........go to Squaw.

Its off and with the high start up cost it won't be back on. Only used as needed for summer peak. Monti is still a good lake. Like OKIE said you can go to Squaw creek.

What's the wAter temp the fishing report said 76-80 is that right

62-70

It's actually nothing like a traditional lake....in fact it may be the only lake like it in the State of Texas. I say this because the plant runs full time (mostly) during the warmer months of the year resulting in water temps that average 100-104 on the North end for most of the Summer. Even way up in Blundell, the water temp in those pads was 95-99. Then once the peak energy demand cycle is over and the plant goes off-line the water temps plummet and become "normal" over the late Fall and Winter months before going back in line in late Spring to early Summer.

I've had conversations with the TPWD Biologist that oversees Monti (Tim Bister) and when I asked him what the short and long term affects of the new plant set up would be on the bass, his answer was he really had no idea because there is no other similar scenario to compare it to. I was personally hoping with the water being cooler more of the year, that the fish's metabolism may slow down enough to allow more of them to get to double digit status. Right now, DD bass are more of a unicorn on that lake.

Anyways, enough blab. To address the OP, if you are coming expecting the Monti of several years ago where you are throwing top waters the week of Thanksgiving, then take the other's advice and head to Squaw. Monti could still be great this weekend and I personally plan to check for myself, but with the hard freezes the last 2 mornings, my expectations are very low.

It was fishing OK. They were bunched up on structure in 12-17 foot. Got them chasing the A-Rig, C-Rig, and can feel the babies nipping at a flutter spoon.

If you want just a large grouping of small fish, and an every cast fish, head to the dam with a bluish-Shad colored drop-shot rig from the dam out to about 12 foot.

There is a secondary return of some BIG looking fish at 18-25 foot. I Didn't target them, but you might want to spend some time on those deep fish (unless they're all catfishes).

What about Welsh?

I read a article where swepco was gonna retire welsh on dec 31 ,2014. So I'm guessing it's not good sense they also made it run only 60% of the time.

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They are going to continue to run 1 and 3 for Lake welsh. They are up to speed with the new srubbers. Unit 2 will be retired at the end of the year.

Good fishing?

yes

I understand the dam broke on Welsh this afternoon, dry hole