Split Rock is up

[briansnat]

I was hiking around Split Rock this weekend and the dam repairs are apparently complete and the water is up pretty close to full capacity.

[bling306]

Thanks for the report! I was thinking of going there this weekend, now I definitely will!

[The Birdman]

How is the smallmouth fishing here? PM
I've seen and heard pretty good things but all look like small bass.

[acabtp]

is the road open across the dam again yet? was still closed opening day

[phil]

hows the kayak "ramp" looking?

[briansnat]

Dam is still closed off so you need to come in from Rockaway Valley Rd. The access road is in very poor shape right now. Didn't go down to the shore to check the "ramp". Birdman, I've only caught LM there, mostly in the 1-3 lb range. I hear there are smallies in there but never hooked into one.

[thyer]

Fished it today in my kayak and got my ass kicked. Windy and a bunch of squalls hit. Water level is around 5' below water line, unless they did that on purpose. If not the level has a ways to go. Couple hundred dead sunfish towards the north end and a bunch of LMB 1-3lbs range belly up.

[Skunk City]

Yeah, it is definetly not back up to full pool yet. Bling306 and I kayaked it on Sunday 4/19 and like was mentioned above, it is still at least 5ft below the normal water line.

[AndyS]

A fish kill at Split Rock Res and no one reported it ???

[buzzbaiter]

Originally Posted by AndyS

A fish kill at Split Rock Res and no one reported it ???

Three out of 8 ponds I've fished this year have had significant dead fish but they are all under 5 acres and <5' deep. Don't usually see high kills on large lakes.

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7...9822--,00.html

Natural fish mortality can range from 10- 70% depending on species and location. Northern fish tend to live longer then southern ones. Most dead fish you never see since its gradual and predators eat them.