Silverwood Lake Fishing Report

Multiple species are in motion at Silverwood as water temps climb and spring patterns settle in. Catfish are the steadiest bet right now, especially on nightcrawlers worked near the bottom around 20 feet. Big nightcrawlers are outproducing cut baits, and most fish are falling in the 3- to 4-pound class.

Striped bass are into their warm-season behavior. After sundown, reaction baits like jerkbaits and walking lures are starting to connect, and daytime surface activity near the dam hints that the boil bite is gearing up. Shore and boat anglers tossing worms are picking off the occasional striper as well.

Largemouth are spread out but feeding. Cranks and finesse plastics are getting fish around brush and rocky edges, with hookups more common where there’s wind pushing bait.

A few trout are still hanging in the mix, mainly near Cleghorn. Those soaking Powerbait are getting the occasional fish.

Silverwood’s striper bite is rolling, especially for night owls working the shore. Jerkbaits and swimbaits, and even cut bait are putting a serious dent in the lineside population, with most fish in the 3–4 pound range. Topwater’s also drawing some violent hits after dark. Boaters are finding similar action during the day, though the fish seem a bit smaller on average. Best surface boils are happening near the dam.

Largemouth bass aren’t far behind. Dropshots and Senkos are getting bit, but if you’re hunting for size, stick with jerkbaits... they’re pulling in the better-quality fish. On top of that, the crappie bite is showing some life with solid numbers reported for some.

If you’re after trout, a few stocked rainbows are still showing around Cleghorn on Micetails and PowerBait, but it’s definitely a striper-dominated scene right now.

Silverwood has been serving up some decent trout action over the last month. The most recent stock was in early February, so the bite is slowing down a bit, but fish are still there. Campground Cove and Cleghorn Beach have been the most productive spots with spinners, trout magnets, and mini jigs in chartreuse or green.

Water temps are hovering around 56°F and climbing, bringing a slight uptick in largemouth action, mainly on slowly worked finesse plastics like ned rigs and drop shots. Striper reports have gone quiet. Crappie schools are showing up on sonar, but getting them to commit has been tough.