Sullivan Lake has great Crappie, Bluegill, Bass, and Saugeye!
Sullivan Lake offers a wide variety of great fishing opportunities almost year-round. In the spring, crappie and bluegill begin biting very well, especially when water temperatures rise above 55°F. When temperatures are 55-60°F, look for large schools of crappie to hold on laydowns and brush piles in deeper water close to the shore. Fish slow vertically with minnows or slow-moving artificial baits. As water temps rise into the lower 60s, crappie will begin to move shallow to spawn and the action can be fast and furious. Throw curly tailed grubs or other artificial lures shallow in protected coves or pockets to target their spawning areas. In and around docks can also be good this time of year. This pattern should stay good until water gets above 70°F. Bluegill can be found in similar areas, however, their spawn usually occurs from 67-80°F. Bluegill will also hit the artificial lures, but it is hard to beat the classic worm or cricket under a bobber. Daily bag limits for crappie on Sullivan Lake are 25 per person with no size limit. There are no daily bag or size limits for bluegill.
You can also luck into a nice Saugeye this time of year! Saugeye are a mix of Sauger and Walleye, and are great eating. The daily bag limit is 6 and fish must be 14” or greater. Fast moving baits like lipless crankbaits and jigs can trigger hard strikes. These fish seem to be most active during morning and evening hours.
Don’t forget, Sullivan Lake also has a very healthy largemouth bass population. Many tournaments are held on the lake every year (check out USABassin.com for a schedule). Early in spring, fish rock banks where water warms the quickest with a spinnerbait or crankbait. As bass move into spawn, try slowing down with a Texas-rigged soft plastic stick bait in the backs of coves. The daily bag limit for largemouth bass on Sullivan Lake is 5 fish, which must be 14” or greater in length.
