My dad, son and I are going next weekend. We have never been. We are staying at Johnsons Creek Marina. I understand it's a pretty shallow lake, so my question is, what do I need to know before running from the marina, to the Northern end, where I expect we will be fishing. Are there submerged trees along the way? Are there boat lanes I need to find? Any info would be appreciated.

Man that's a long way to run in those conditions from Johnson's creek.yes there is timber everywhere,if you do not know that lake I would highly recommend that if you want to fish the north end that you should trailer there,that would be a big risk traveling that far on that lake for someone not familiar with it.I've been quite a few times and that's still how I would do it.good luck and be careful.

Buzzzfrog, that's what I was wanting to know. I appreciate the info.

Am I not correct though, that the better fishing will be on that end of the lake? Can I expect to do well, if we stay close to the marina, or is it worth the time and effort to trailer up North?

Do you have a map handy?

You are ok coming from Johnson until you get to the mountain cut but it is easy to see the lane through there. Head straight until you see the boat lane poles , once in the poles you can run on up.Stay in the poles when on pad.It isn't that bad.

There is only one unmark section on the south end before the boat lane poles start heading North. It's when you get to the big point at Alley creek it's open water for about 3 to 400 yards before the poles but if you'll stay off the timber on your right about 100 yards and stay straight you'll see the first pole do not vere off to the left to much there is under water timber there also. Once you see the first pole stay to the right of the poles the'll take you to the north end. Once you get to the Hwy 155 bridge on the north end the poles will take you a ways to the back do not venture off the boat lane on plane it looks like nice open water but there could be logs/stumps or it may be 6 inches deep so go at a idle. If you follow the poles on the north end all the way they will end. When you get to the last pole shut it down to a slow idle, you'll see the pump station about 100 yards on your left there are some major stumps out in front of that pump station and beyond. As Buzzzfrog said if you want to play it safe trailer to Big Oaks boat ramp on Hwy 729 you can see the Hwy 155 bridge on the North end from Big Oaks ramp. Just ask anyone at the Marina and they can give you quick directions to Big Oaks. Good luck!

Great post crank.hey Gibby if one day you only have a little time go to hurricane creek,go under bridge and start fishing.I have caught some toads back there.pretty good fishing and close to Johnson creek.

You pretty much have to thread the needle on the timber coming off that point just west of Alley Creek. There are stumps coming well out into the lake off the point, then more timber farther out.

Maybe I don't have the best eyesight, but it is really hard to see that first boat lane pole from the point at Alley Creek. I would guess it is somewhere between 1/2 mile and a mile to a single post sticking out of the water. Not that easy to see, nor to tell the difference between a boat lane pole and a tree at that distance.

If I had never been to Pines I would probably trailer...especially considering the kind of wind we have been having around here lately.

You can actually take 729 all the way to Hwy 155, make a left, cross the bridge, then turn left and launch at Cedar Springs ramp which is a couple of miles farther north than Big Oaks. It is also a lot more protected from a south or SE wind.

I really appreciate the info, guys. I am really looking forward to fishing a new lake, and although I would enjoy running the lake, and seeing what I could see, it sounds like I better trailer if I want to get up North.

Buzzz, where is the hurricane creek bridge from Johnsons Creek?

Gibby, I just sent you an email. Let me know if it looks OK!

Gibby its one cove over from Johnsons towards the damn.

Buzzz, I see it now. Looks like there is one just North as well. Is that cove decent as well? With my dad and son, I don't necessarily need to hunt for hogs all day. Numbers is probably better for this trip.

If you want to try another creek I would recommend Mettlin.

I think you are talking about alley right?its pretty good to, even Johnson's creek isn't bad,me personally I like hurricane.and the cut on past hurricane towards the damn on the left.Hey gibby the fishing south is good to and you are less likely to tear up anything,lol.That's where I usually fish,less crowded to.

I've been fishing LOP for my whole life and last Saturday I was running up north from Alley to the boat lane. I pointed to my buddy "We supposed to pass between these groups of timber"....just as I finished saying that I realized I was on the wrong side! LOL! I think the 3' waves had me off track. I was quickly puckered and ready for a bruisin!

I told my buddy, we were just one of those boats that just goes where ever and never hits a stump! LOL!