Fern Ridge? Is it really as hard as it was for me?

Bassinator · 09-03-2009, 11:20 PM

Hey everyone. Despite the great advice from DJD, fern ridge just didnt produce. DJD says thats a normal day on fern but there is amazing fishing to be had if you hit it right. I have heard alot about hitting it early in the year and in september. We have caught big fish in there but it only seems like we have 1 to 2 fish days and thats it! Does anyone want to give me their input on this amazing(looking) lake.

Basshound · 09-04-2009, 08:13 AM

Its feast or famine on Fern. Over the years i have had some really good days and somedays you would think there isnt a fish in it. It is tuff but can be really rewarding. Ive noticed over time that the spots where you catch fish are the places to retun to in search. The lake is big enough its hard to fish random banks in a blind search. It should pick up when we get the first rains and the lake starts to drop more.

Bassinator · 09-04-2009, 09:40 AM

Hmmm thats what DJD said and i agree, but I fished prime areas that I know would have fish on them. I think I needed to slow down my presentation.

Basshound · 09-04-2009, 11:02 AM

Maybe so. Dan usually fishing kinda slow. However he has caught a few on cranks lately.

fishnfun · 09-04-2009, 11:09 AM

Did you try a frog at all?

DJD · 09-04-2009, 09:39 PM

Had a good bite tonite but musta' forgot how to set the hook! Felt some good weight and then it shook off. Fish stayed down so i never saw it. 5" purple senko!!!!Maybe tomorrow.......

Bassinator · 09-05-2009, 11:00 PM

Ya tried a frog and nothin... good Dan! get her next time.

DJD · 09-06-2009, 08:23 PM

Dont be so hard on yourself; if catching was easy, it wouldnt be as much fun! I fished hard for the last 3 days and had 3 solid bites and never saw one of them. All I could manage were a few 4-6" dinks each time out!

Bassinator · 09-06-2009, 11:19 PM

Well went to my dad and I's honey hole this weekend to make up for fern ridge and boy did we. caught 3 solid 5 pounders and my dad caught one that was 8 pounds!!!

fishnfun · 09-07-2009, 12:29 PM

Lo ?

yfz450guy · 09-07-2009, 01:20 PM

where is fern located?

Bassinator · 09-07-2009, 03:29 PM

Nope not LO. Kinda a secret lol.

DJD · 09-07-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yfz450guy

where is fern located?

12 miles west of Eugene on hwy 126

BlackBass · 09-07-2009, 07:41 PM

Had to chime in! I fished Fern ditch many of years growing up, some of the best fishing we ever had was at Eaton Lane, i tell you what you can get into some nice fish this time of year, catch nice crappie on penner baits, and cranks . Dont forget to fish the mouth of the Amazon canal

Bassinator · 09-08-2009, 08:27 AM

I never did get over to the amazon channel... i mostly stayed in the long tom arm

DJD · 09-08-2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackBass

Had to chime in! I fished Fern ditch many of years growing up, some of the best fishing we ever had was at Eaton Lane, i tell you what you can get into some nice fish this time of year, catch nice crappie on penner baits, and cranks . Dont forget to fish the mouth of the Amazon canal

You can still get in there , but public bank access is all but cut off unless you know one of the landowners. The rowdies kind of ruined it for everyone. That part of the lake is pretty grassed in now but you can still get a boat in there; doesnt get fished much!!! That Amazon canal is supposed to hold a lot of big crappies and Eaton area has produced some 10 pounders in the past! I just started a new job that will most likely take me out of the area(Iowa), very soon at least for the winter so I dont know if Ill get my big fish this year. That has gotten to be a tradition for about the last 8 years!

Bassinator · 09-08-2009, 09:30 PM

Jeez! who are these people that keep pulling ten pounders out of that lake? lol I need to get back there.

bass kisser · 09-11-2009, 02:22 PM

going to fern sat morning 9/12/09 can anybody tell me where is this eaton area place for crapie is.i will be out in my blue over white tri hull. plan on hitting the amazon channel work the docks and the channel by hwy 126.then play by the dam.hope fern does me right this time.thanks for the info.

Basshound · 09-16-2009, 07:35 PM

This is all im going to say.........................Creek inlets( not amazon ), wood,senko's. Over and oUT.

yfz450guy · 09-16-2009, 08:03 PM

was looking at google maps and it looks like the lake is almost empty. where do you launch.

Bassinator · 09-17-2009, 11:45 AM

There isnt a launch when the water goes down. You can get aluminum boat in at the dam if your really interested.

yfz450guy · 09-17-2009, 11:50 AM

when will the water be up?

Bassinator · 09-18-2009, 06:36 AM

spring

Basshound · 09-18-2009, 09:09 PM

Those pics arent current. the lake is pretty much full now. Draw down only started like 3 days ago. The best is yet to come. I say 2 weeks tops and it will be ON!!

shawfowl · 09-21-2009, 08:28 PM

http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/vis...cfm?Id=G205830

lake level's

http://www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/ftp.../daily/frn.txt

outonalimb · 09-26-2009, 09:55 AM

So can you still get a boat in there? Thinking about making the drive later today.

shawfowl · 09-26-2009, 12:23 PM

Still launchable......If you need a map that show's all the depth water line's, stop by the Corp's office at the dam and get one.

Basshound · 09-27-2009, 08:24 AM

Im not to sure the maps are available right now. Call first.

DJD · 09-27-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basshound

Im not to sure the maps are available right now. Call first.

Just got a long distance report; Its starting.......Several larger fish caught in different locations around the lake. Now staying in LaCrosse Wisconsin for about a month.....Someone else is going to have to catch my 7 lber for me!!!

nick2136 · 10-01-2009, 11:31 PM

Fern Ridge is always slow. go to dorena or cottage grove lake much better for bass in my opinion

stav93cobra · 10-02-2009, 09:13 AM

Nick, just keep telling yourself that!!

Bassinator · 10-07-2009, 01:40 PM

Dorena can be just as slow as Fern, just my two cents lol. Cottage grove is good but gets alot more pressure. Its all about what you like and Fern is a challenge for me. I feel if I get Fern Ridge figured out than I will have a good grasp on what to do in hard fishing.