Eagle Lake is another oxbow but far less affected by the changes of the river. It is a well-developed area with many houses and boat houses along much of the lake. With the river restrained by levees, Eagle offers anglers a pretty even shot and getting on bream just about any time.
From the free public boat ramp at Messina Landing, turn right and work the boathouses, piers and docks along the shore. A cricket placed near a piling or post is a good place to start. Anglers with side-imaging electronics will have little trouble seeing older posts and other structure along the shore.
Bream will be suspended around the structure, often at 2 or 3 feet deep in 5 to 7 feet of water. Like crappie, bluegill feed up, so starting on the bottom may yield few bites.
“As days get longer and warmer, fish on the shady side of the dock or pier,” said Donnie Stuart, an Eagle Lake regular. “Also try some ultra-light tackle to skip a beetle spin or small critter bait under the dock. A 1/8-ounce beetle spin with a green and black grub is said to be a go to bait among the locals.
“Around the lake, look for (fallen) trees in the water. Fish them from shallow to deep along the tree trunk and around the top.
Bream are on the bottom of the food chain in Eagle, along with shad. For that reason they like to hold tight to cover. Bass, catfish, gars and stripers, like humans, enjoy a quick meal of bluegill.
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