Just wanted to introduce myself and say thanks for all the good information in this thread. Just came home to DFW area after a 5-year absence to celebrate Thanksgiving with the parents and sibs. Been shore fishing Lake Michigan the past year and wanted to come back and take dad, brother and future brother-in-law out for some fishing (none have ever really fished before). Was planning on purchasing fishing licenses online (looks like there's a $5 surcharge per license though), but since I'm planning on hitting Academy, Walmart, Bass Pro and Cabela's (my favorite store), might just purchase the licenses there and pickup a regulations book (it's nice that all that info's available online though). Will need to get them all gear, as well as buy tackle and a rod for myself (traveling light but I brought my reels); I'll just leave the stuff behind, and hope I've started a new hobby for the family (Dad really needs to get out).

Anyways, I've been trying to sort out where ya'll fish with the assistance of Google maps. I think I can see the dam. I sort of understand what ya'll have been saying about gates being open and cfs "current" being generated. I can find the 78 bridge and sorta see the "creek?" that flows beneath the dam. Was wondering where exactly people can park to fish the area between 78 bridge and the dam. Do ya'll fish from the bank or off the bridge (is that even legal)? Or is that why a lot fish at night (aside from the fish being active)?

A non-resident (unfortunately that's me now) license seems to be the way to go even if I only have a few days (at maximum) to fish; Buying non-resident day passes seems overly expensive. Hopefully I'll get to come back more often and will be able to use the non-resident pass more. If anything, at least I'll be supporting the state DNR.

Any tips ya'll can pass my way, I'd appreciate it. While fishing Lake Michigan for yellow lake perch we'd use artificials on tandem jigs - anybody do something similar to that? Reading one of Carey's posts reminds me of the way they fish in HI for sardines (w/ the egg sinker, swivel, leader and hook/bait).

Well, thanks again, and I'm hoping to plan a nice outing for them and maybe add a few more anglers to the family.

Jay

Is THIS where ya'll can legally park and fish?

Yup. U R not allowed to crossthe bridge though. But u have itdownso far.

Yup

do yall smell something..... it could be the fishing down there this morning. it stunk. not sure if it was the small cold front or the water change. fish where biting but slow.

Anyone planning on going Wed mourning I am thinking about it but would really like it if we got a small tff group to all go down there and what not.

i'm in . what time you going to get down there?

Hey basspromaster count me in too

what time?

I dont know yall lets make up a time and place. I'm gonna chk with a few other friends to see if they can join. Do yall want to do early freezing cold normal start like at sun up or 8-9 AM or what. Let me know what yall wnat to do I'm down for whatever as long as I catch fish

sunrise is right around 7

What bridge are you talking about? That railed walkway on the right of my picture? The one that takes you to the "wall?" So, do you just make your way down the bank on the far right then? Past the railroad bridge? (Fish south of the railroad bridge off from the shore?)

Well, I only made it to Cabela's today and lost track of time (easily done there). Picked up some ultralight combo packages, some jigs, braid, 20lb mono for leaders, plastics and the license - $54 for the license, not too bad.

There are some pretty good deals on tackle, as well as rod/reel combos right now. For those saltwater enthusiasts, the tackle doesn't seem to be really popular here (prob due to the lack of saltwater), so there are a lot of heavily discounted items including biodegradable artificials for saltwater.

Adam, what time are you going to Lavon?

Anytime Mike...if these fellas are going early then I'll be there.....Some good sandies to be had down there

Ya lets make a decission on what time tmr mourning. And any particular colors and stuff that I should have?

see ya then

So whos going early AM?

I am I'll be down there around 6:30 I'm bringing a big thing of coffee and a pack of smokes a stringer for all these fish we better be catching. Let me know what time your thinking Knot and anyone else.

looks like i may have to flake out on you guys. sorry,i had a job come up and need to be in richardson by 9. Im sure i will be fishing with some of yall soon

Sound like fun ....
Sun rise is too early for me to get up for sandies ...
I will see you all there after lunch .... if you all still up there ...

hope there's some fish left lol

Im gonna try and make it out there to! I cant make it till probably 830 though so leave a few for me! Havent fished in a couple months so im dyin!

Well Adam nice to see you finally climbed down out of that deer stand and thinking about fishing again.

Haha I actually havent even made it to the lease since opening weekend! You gonna be out there in the mornin

I'll be there around 7 ish..I can only fish till 12 or 1..I'm leaving to go out of town with family around then for T-giving