Annual Prospects Report
Black bass fishing on Courtois Creek should be fair to good in 2026. During sampling in the fall 2025, smallmouth bass made up the majority of black bass present, followed by largemouth bass. A few spotted bass have been found but remain low in number. Smallmouth bass sizes remain good with about one in three fish being greater than 12 inches in length, and about one in ten fish greater than 15 inches in length, but smallmouth were less abundant than in other years with the low water conditions during several of the last falls, combined with extreme flooding in late 2024 and into 2025. Largemouth bass remain lower than historical average, and sizes were down as well. About one fifth 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 are again expected to be below normal levels. The lower end of the stream will offer the best fishing opportunities for them. Four percent of all goggle-eye sampled were greater than 8 inches. Goggle-eye are often found around boulders, rootwads, or near vegetation stands. Fishing for other sunfish, like longear sunfish and bluegill, should remain good as well. 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.
