I know there are probably better lakes to go to when it's hot, but Gibbons is so close for me it is hard to pass up. Have gone out the past two weekends fishing with shad and bluegill and have not done very well. There were so many shad close to the surface you only needed a dip net to catch bait.

Any suggestions on where to fish? I'm not asking for exact locations, just trying to better understand how to fish a power plant lake for catfish during the summer. I know a power plant lake doesn't behave the same as a natural one. I'm not necessarily looking for numbers as I usually don't keep fish, but would like to catch some nice size blues or yellows. Thanks!

Catfishing is great at Gibbons if you know where to find them. My best luck has been around the island in and around the timber (the north end where it faces the power plant). Granted, I mostly catch channels sprinkled in with a few blues. I use mostly punch bait though. on the days when I do use cut baits (bluegill), I catch more goo's than blues though.

And where do you find the bait fish at there? By the ramp? I've never really looked around to really notice

I can't really help you as far as a consistant place to catch bait. I have caught shad with my net on the boat ramp, and I've heard other people say that's a good place. I've caught tilapia and bluegill there as well.

I don't think it is typical, but I caught my bait sunday night at the discharge. Like I said, they were so thick you could have caught plenty with a dip net. After the sun went down, I could shine my light on the water and it would just explode with shad. I estimate I probably caught 80-100 with just one throw by the discharge. And when I say by the discharge, I mean right up against orange floats.

Well, i've searched high and low and I can't find much information on how to fish a power plant lake in the summer. I'm going to go out to Gibbons again tomorrow evening and try some different spots. I will report back on the outcome. If anyone else is out there and sees a rather small jon boat, feel free to come say hi!