Thought I'd give the North end a try on Saturday since I had to avoid the Arthur insanity and I didn't have a fishing buddy for the day anyway. Launched my big round tub from the Sheakleyville "launch" bright and early. Let's be clear here... if that is a launch then my boat is a Yacht. It's more of a crummy old road that ends in the lake. And the weeds there BOY HOWDY. If you are paddling you'll be fine. If you have a motor you are gonna chew some weeds. So that's what I did. Blender-ed my way out to the sort-of channel and headed under the bridge. Went out to the 6 fow band and hit a bunch of stumps hoping for some crappie too dumb or lazy to be downlake where they should be.
Didn't happen that way. Caught a half dozen shorts and one keeper crappie who wasn't much to brag about. I'd have taken a dozen or so of his buddies but that wasn't to be. I saw a snapping turtle that was GIGANTIC. I mean capsize your kayak big. I've seen and caught some impressive snappers but this guy was their granddaddy. Caught a few bluegills also, none of any size.
Saw a bunch of schools of 2" or so shad. Would be good bait but I'm pretty sure Wilhelm is a no cast net lake still. Doesn't make much sense.
Not too many boats up there, maybe a handful. Got out of there around 2pm. Main lake was a bit of a zoo when I crossed the bridge headed home. Beauty of a day even if the fish weren't cooperating. Was going to use my leftover bait Sunday morning early at Arthur but my old bones were having none of that and I slept in instead.