Posted by Kerry Grissett on January 10, 2007 at 22:14:54:
In Reply to: Decatur Flats posted by jd on January 10, 2007 at 21:07:50:
Jd, the area you are talking about, visible from the Hwy31 causeway, was once a very productive crappie fishing spot. Also, the area past the smaller train bridge in the north east corner of this area (referred to as the "Y" because of the way the train tracks look from above) was once very good crappie fishing.
However, since about 1991 this entire area including the pumps and White's spring has become less than a shadow of its former self. The millfoil on the east side of the Hwy31 causeway was either killed intentionally or died naturally in 1991 and the pumphouse gates were kept closed during critical periods since 1991. Long story short, the combination of these things has killed the area for the most part.
I'm not saying you can't catch some crappie around those stumps and in the Y and at the pumps, but not anywhere near what the activity level was 15 to 20 years ago.
BTW, at least for me the "Decatur flats" are on the west side of the train tracks. There is still millfoil and stumps in that area and I would suspect there are some crappie there. I know there are bass as many a tournament has been won with fish from that area.
Good luck and good fishin'