Snapper time

[Big Mike]

I hit St Mary's Lake this morning and right off the bat I had some nice crappie and a yellow perch.
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The bass fishing left a lot to be desired today with a few dinks and I could only manage one 12" fish. While I was in the upper part of the lake I saw a commotion on the water and went over to investigate. Two huge snapping turtles were locked up in a fight (no, this wasn't turtle love nor even muskrat love if you're a Carpenters fan) and rolling each other over and over in the water. To show my age it reminded me very much of the album art from Rick Wakeman's Journey to the Center of the Earth where the giant turtle battles some sort of giant lizard. They were so caught up in the fight that they didn't stop even when my yak ran them over (the PA does not turn on a dime). Its seeing nature like this that makes it so fun to get on the water even when the fishing is only so so.

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For those who aren't lucky enough to have the inner sleeve I've done a poor mans photo of it.

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[Mark]

Interesting report.

I suspect the LM bass are in their summer doldrums. When I was heavily into freshwater fishing I often switched to river smallmouth at this time of year.

I have read that male snapping turtles are territorial and those less dominant have to leave the area or even leave a small pond entirely to find a new home. Perhaps you saw that in action today.

[fishinggod]

Mark, from my short experience at the pond on my property, i'd say you are right. there is only one huge turtle in the pond, and when one ventures over to it there is a huge battle then one leaves. exciting to watch the first time ya see it. i never got photos though as it always happened on the other side of the pond. love the photos Mike.

[moc]

The pictures of the turtle are so cool....

[silasvirus82]

don't dangle your toes over!

[allyn703]

I was fishing a few weeks ago and saw from a distance what appeared to be a head surface. I was curious so I paddled a few times and coasted near it. As I got closer I realized it was a snapping turtle. At that moment a much larger snapping turtle, presumably its mate, surfaced between us and hissed at me. Scared the crap out of me. Lol.

[Cowpokey]

[hookmeup]

Wakeman and kayak fishing. Great report!