Courtois Creek

Black bass fishing on Courtois Creek should be fair to good in 2024. Smallmouth bass make up the majority of black bass present, followed by largemouth bass. Smallmouth bass sizes remain good with about one in three fish being greater than 12 inches in length, and about one in five fish greater than 15 inches in length, but smallmouth may be less abundant than in other years with the low water conditions of 2023. Largemouth bass were also less abundant than past years, and sizes were down as well. About one third of all largemouth bass surveyed were greater than 12 inches in length. Largemouth greater than 18 inches will be harder to find than normal, but large pools and backwater areas in the lower section of stream will offer the best places to try to find them. Goggle-eye sizes and numbers were slightly below normal levels.  The lower end of the stream will offer the best fishing opportunities. One tenth of all goggle-eye sampled were greater than 8 inches. Goggle-eye are often found around boulders, rootwads, or near vegetation stands.  Soft plastic baits including flukes, tubes, grubs, and worms and crayfish-patterned crank baits are very productive for all species when fished around boulders and woody debris.  Both float-fishing and wading can be very effective methods for accessing the best in-stream habitat.