OB paddlers: When is west cove marsh (Big Lake) open?

If its like most waterfowl refuges it is for October through march

Yeah I knew it was closed October through March but didn't know if the before noon policy continued while it was open

Thanks

now til like Oct 15

Catch em all because it's closed the next day seriously, where the main cut through the marsh opens up into the lake (mud lake?) we've done well on flounder. Just fishing points around the mouth

West Cove is great but pretty vast, so expect to do some paddling.

If you're targeting reds you can turn right at the second canal when leaving the launch and head into the marsh. It'll be a bit before the canal turns to marsh but it's a huge area once you're into it. A ton of flats where you can see tails sticking out the water. I've also seen people fish the canal for flounder sucessfully. Through that marsh you can actually cut through and get to Old Camp canal but I've never done so myself.

If you're looking for trout there's a bunch of reefs in the cove itself, though I don't know their exact location I've been able to pickup several trout trolling jigs and tandem rigs while paddling to/from Old Camp Canal.

Speaking of Old Camp, it's exactly 2 miles from the launch to the mouth, I've made the paddle a couple times, it's not too bad. I've anchored right at the mouth near the dock that's there and caught flounder on a 1/8oz jig head with chartreuse or pearl white Gulp bouncing slowly on the bottom. You can also access more marsh area back there though I've never ventured too far.

Taking about main canal on right just past where you put in


If you're targeting reds you can turn right at the second canal when leaving the launch and head into the marsh. It'll be a bit before the canal turns to marsh but it's a huge area once you're into it. A ton of flats where you can see tails sticking out the water. I've also seen people fish the canal for flounder sucessfully. Through that marsh you can actually cut through and get to Old Camp canal but I've never done so myself.

That

What should I target tomorrow?

They bit artificial, right?

Not sure if I'll have any Gulp. Had to make due with what a fresh water Academy has. This is a last minute trip.

Also, if you've never specifically targetted flounder before there's one huge piece of advice; if you feel one bite put your rod down, smoke a cigarette then set the hook.