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Kentucky Lake Fishing Report: 21 Nov 2024
Report Contributor – Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
WEATHER ROLLER COASTER RETURNS
Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene will receive a visit from the weather roller coaster in the days and week ahead. A windy cold front is in progress, sending temps down into the low 30’s at night with daytime highs projected to only make the upper 40’s for a few days. While that will curtail what has been a pretty good week for both crappie and catfishing it appears anglers will get a rebound by early next week as the weatherman says a couple days will bounce back to the low 60’s to kick off the week. However, the short warm spell will pave the way for another cold front that’s expected to arrive just before Thanksgiving.
Lows late next week will dip below freezing a few nights accompanied by some rain. The weather roller coaster is indeed underway. Lake levels are in the 354.8 range this week with slight fluctuation underway. Watercolor remains clear. Surface temps have dropped into the upper 50’s courtesy of the cold fronts and chilly nights. Earlier this week daytime highs reached 73 degrees as an extended spell of above average temperatures lingered past mid-November but that has changed quickly.
Some nice stringers of crappie were taken recently as fishermen enjoyed light winds and mild temps which allowed them to move about in the open water areas. Depths of 9 to 12 feet were giving up decent numbers of good size fish. The bite was good and improved over the previous week.
No doubt the approaching cold front and northwest winds will change the picture for a few days and likely diminish the bite. Watch for a quick rebound Sunday and Monday when nice weather returns but the honeymoon will be short. Drastic temperature changes and high winds will enter the picture a few days before Thanksgiving. Several days of below average temps are in the forecast.
Catfishing was good the last week or so as increased current stimulated the bite. Nice size fish were taken in the 30-to-35-foot depth range. Once the current increased late last week so did the bite. For the last several weeks lack of rain and mild weather had not favored the catfish bite, but anglers know that can change quickly once heavy rains enter the picture and flows in the Tennessee River channel increase.
It looks like unruly weather will dominate the Kentucky Lake fishing scene for a few days but once December rolls around watch for some mild conditions to return in the aftermath of these recent cold fronts.
14 Nov 2024
Report Contributor – Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
LATE FALL SCENE HAS VARIEITY OF WEATHER
Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene as of late has seen quite a mixture weather patterns ranging from heavy rains at times to windy days and some fluctuation in temperatures. Lake levels this week have stayed around the 354.8 range after dropping down very low a week or so ago. Recent rains have replaced drought conditions that plagued the region throughout the late summer and fall. Watch for lake levels to rise some in the next few days as heavy rains have fallen recently across the area but no drastic changes are expected. Watercolor remains clear.
Surface temperatures and cooled some since last week and are now down to the 62-to-64-degree range. The long-range forecast indicates mild temps will hang around until Thursday (Nov 28th) of next week when rain will return, and daytime highs will fall to only 42 degrees and dip to 34 degrees at night. Until then anglers should have pretty mild fishing conditions.
Crappie have been taken in some midrange manmade fish attractors this past week around the 9-to-14-foot depth range. However, several fish are still lingering out on main lake cover in the 14-to-18-foot depth range as well. Both jigs and minnows have been producing. Popular colors have ranged from Bobby Garland’s mayfly, monkey’s milk, blue/chartreuse, and purple/chartreuse just name a few. Tipping jigs with either a minnow or Berkley Power Bait crappie nibble has also enhanced the appeal to sluggish crappie. Some boats are vertical tightlining jigs and live minnow rigs while others are relying on the old bottom bumping double hook rig at times.
Bass fishing has been fair for some tossing shad-colored crankbaits around visible structure, but a few boats are backing off the bank and still targeting sloping secondary sandbars out on the main lake or within the mouth of large bays.
Some white bass are chasing shad at times and busting the surface and largemouth and some smallmouth are running with them. Tossing chrome/blue Rattle Trap style lures work great and allow anglers to cover a lot of water while making a series of long fan casting style presentations.
A few bass have been taken along gravel banks and riprap roadbeds as well. Shallow running Bandit and Shad Rap Rapala crankbaits have worked well. Some spinnerbaits have worked too around shallow stake beds, tree laps and logs along shorelines. Additional current has returned to the main Tennessee River channel lately in the aftermath of additional rainfall.
The late fall fishing scene can be productive for both bass and crappie anglers.
07 Nov 2024
Report Contributor – Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
COOLER DAYS COMING FOR FISHERMEN
After a long honeymoon with above average temperatures, it looks like a nip in the air is about to arrive. For the last several weeks Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene has seen hot and dry conditions dominate but recent rains have finally drenched a thirsty region. Rain the last week or so has fallen on some extremely dry woods and added a little fresh water to the lake area. Some of the rain had high winds at times that rocked the boat of anglers hoping to extend their parade with pretty days where light winds and above average temperatures greeted them.
Last week warm days lingered—at times daytime highs climbed to the 80-to-81-degree range—and almost broke record high temps for this time of year. Surface temperatures reflect the extended spell of high temps and readings the last week or so were in the 66-degree range, which is several degrees above normal for mid-November. Watch for a rapid drop by late next week once the cold front rolls in.
Lake levels have remained low throughout the fall due in part to a lack of rain. Readings last week at Kentucky Dam dropped to the low ebb of 354.2 a few days but have since risen slightly to the 354.8 range. If projected rains continue watch for a slight rise in elevation by the weekend. Watercolor remains clear across the reservoir. Discharge rates at Kentucky Dam have been around 23,000 cfs (cubic feet per second) so there’s a slow current present in the main Tennessee River channel.
Crappie fishing has been fair for a few anglers working deep manmade fish attractors such as stake beds and brush piles in the 11-to-15-foot depth range. A few fish have been taken even deeper in the Paris Landing sector as some anglers experimented in depths of 16 to 22 feet in their quest to locate scattered fish as TVA had been pulling the lake down to winter pool. Boaters stalking the shallow route of 4 to 8 feet areas have not fared well according to most reports. A few scattered crappie were taken by anglers casting jigs and vertical presentation techniques of both jigs and minnows. However, most indicated the fish were very scattered and the bite was sluggish for shallow zones.
That’s not all surprising as above average surface temperatures the last few weeks have likely had a negative impact on the shallow bite. In early to mid-November the normal surface temp range should be in the upper 50’s to low 60’s. Meanwhile, a few anglers using Live scope sonar have landed some nice stringers from midrange to deeper depths but they are having to make several stops. Most are tipping a jig with a minnow to entice bites.
Bass anglers are still slugging it out in the trenches and finding the bass stubborn to bite. Sluggish fish are still being caught by a few boats working the main lake sandbars. A few credited their catches to the use of Carolina and Alabama rigs retrieved slowly over shad schools on sandbars. Crankbaits and swim baits have worked too as have chrome colored variations of Rattle Trap style lure selections as covering a lot of water and fan casting has been the best technique.
Slow current is present out on the main Tennessee River channel lately. TVA had decreased discharge rates and not many boats were seen stalking catfish out on the riverbanks.
30 Oct 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
NEAR RRECORD HIGHS LINGER FOR ANGLERS
Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene has been holding on to near high temperatures as November pushed the pumpkin month off the calendar. Most days have seen above average on daytime highs. Sooner or later cooler days will descend but even next week’s forecast has a mixture of warm days sandwiched between some possible light rain and daytime highs in the low to mid 60’s, which would be more normal for this time of year. The region is in need of some rain.
Lake levels this week have fallen to the lowest elevation this fall. Reading is down to the winter pool level of 354.6, which is a few inches lower than last week at this time. The watercolor remains clear across the reservoir. Surface temperatures have been in the 66-to-68-degree range but should fall slightly next week as cooler conditions enter the picture.
Meanwhile, boaters beware out there as more shallow sandbars and stumps are just barely below the surface so use caution and observe channel markers. The lake has been a beautiful place lately as fall colors have been at their peak. Still, plenty of time to get out there and partake of the parade of trees still showing nice red, orange, yellows and just a mixture from God’s paintbrush.
The overall fishing scene has been fair but had to endure a few windy days at times. Wind is normally not a big factor for fall fishing but lately the hot weather sort of stirred things up at times. Several nice days have been mixed in as well.
The crappie bite has been a bit sluggish for shallow zones of 4 to 6 feet. Warm surface temperatures have lingered later than usual and that has likely influenced the shallow bite somewhat. That can change quickly, however, cloudy days with light rain and cooler conditions descend. Most of the decent stringers have come from anglers fishing jigs and minnows in depths of 14 to 18 feet at times. Some reports of fishermen stalking midrange depths of 9 to 12 feet have managed to find some scattered keeper size fish, but they’ve had to make several stops in their quest.
Falling lake levels the last week or so can also influence the fish to fall back to deeper water for a short period of time. The fish have not been aggressive in the shallow zones this fall like they have in times past but again, that can change quickly as weather conditions change.
Bass fishermen are still staying out on the main lake for the most part and swinging away on ledges and open water sandbars in hopes of finding some schooling fish. Tossing crankbaits and swim baits have been the most popular choices with the reliable Rattle Trap style lures working well as anglers cover a lot of water.
Scattered sightings of white bass have been seen and anglers are catching a few while tossing white Rooster Tails and small spoons.
The catfish bite has diminished somewhat as current has subsided out on the main river channel. TVA had pushed back on discharge rates through Kentucky Dam this week as flows were only 25,000 cfs (cubic feet per second). There’s still some good fall fishing ahead as November has been known to produce some good crappie fishing.
16 Oct 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
ANGLERS RIDING THE TEMP ROLLER COASTER
Never a bad time to be out on the lake but the next few weeks will put anglers in a front row seat to fall’s colorful parade. Colors are fast changing and should reach their peak as late October rolls and around and November sneaks in the door.
Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene has been riding the temperature roller coaster lately. After a dramatic cool spell that brought talk of the season’s first frost and had anglers donning overcoats and coveralls, it appears warm days will return by this weekend. Time to dig the short sleeve shirts back out as temps are forecast to be in the low to mid 70’s next by this weekend. Warmer than that next week.
Lake levels this week were up a few inches from last week with readings in the 355.8 range. At midweek the reservoir crested. Watercolor is clear in the Big Sandy and West Sandy sectors and sporting a good color around the Paris Landing sector with some stain out in the main Tennessee River channel area.
Surface temperatures have cooled a bit since the start of the week when cold nights and chilly days entered the fishing scene. Breezy northwest winds delivered a few whitecaps some days, but the water cooled down to the 69-to-71-degree range.
Tennessee Valley Authority had diminished discharge rates earlier in the week but has since increased them to 40,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) through Kentucky Dam at midweek. A feel of fall definitely filled the air this week when temps dipped below normal a few days.
Crappie fishing has been fair and should show some improvement for anglers seeking more activity in shallow areas. Not many nice stringers have been taken in the 4-to-8-foot depth range this fall as high surface temps likely had a negative impact on the shallow bite. Watch for that to improve quickly as more crappie should move up in the aftermath of the cool front. Those shallow stake beds and brush piles up on shallow main lake areas or in the backs of some bays that haven’t been producing should start paying off.
Most of the crappie lately have been taken deeper in 12 to 15 feet with some coming from 17 to 20 at times. That deeper bite has been more productive for anglers vertical fishing jigs and minnows. Some anglers prefer casting jigs in the deeper venues. They’ve had success with jig skirt colors such as Bobby Garland’s Monkey’s Milk, Mayfly, Threadfin shiner and purple/chartreuse just to name a few.
It’s always a good idea to keep an arsenal of colors in your tackle box and experiment from time to time. Live minnows have been producing too. Not a bad idea to keep that minnow bucket handy during fall outings and let me fish tell you what they prefer. It’s past time for the shallow bite to turn on. Casting a minnow or jig over shallow structure with a slip bobber is another technique that normally works well during the fall months.
Catfishing out on the main Tennessee River channel should be showing improvement as TVA has been pushing enough water lately to stimulate the bite. The rate of discharge should enhance the catfish to move about and feed on the roaming schools of shad.
Bass fishermen are still slugging it out on main lake ledges and some secondary flats where bass are chasing schools of shad. Tossing chrome/blue Rattle Traps and similar lure variations has produced as have swim baits, crankbaits in black/chartreuse, chrome, chartreuse/black and shad variations.
Watch for increased shad activity and surface feeding sprees now as both white bass and largemouth should start busting the surface on calm days. Those shallow sandbars can be productive.
09 Oct 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
FALL FISHING SCENE/WEATHER STILL NICE TO ANGLERS
Thanks to an extended spell of nice weather the fishing scene across Kentucky Lake has suited anglers just fine. Fall has been kind to fishermen the last week or two with a little ride on the weather roller coaster at times in terms of temperatures. Lake levels had been holding around the 355.5 lately at Kentucky Dam. Surface temperatures have been reluctant to let go of the 72-to-73-degree range but watch for that to fall as cooler nights will continue to pull that down toward the upper 60’s soon.
Watercolor has been good with a slight stain. Last week the current diminished to 33,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) for a few days, which is a good range for cat fishermen stalking the main channel area.
A few boats have been working the main channel banks and finding the catfish bite pretty good in the 35-to-45-foot depth range.
The fall crappie bite has been fair the last week or two for a few anglers. Some report the fish acting quite finicky on the bright days when high skies influenced a sluggish bite. A few fish were still lingering in deep water on main lake ledges in the 17-to-20-foot depth range. However, anglers targeting the deep main lake areas indicate several small fish were taken but big numbers of keeper size fish were challenging.
Some anglers credited their catches to 9-to-14-foot depths where scattered crappie were taken in the midrange stake beds and brush piles. A few credited their success to minnows; others opted for jigs. Popular colors have been Monkey’s Milk, Mayfly and some unpainted lead heads with dull colored skirts. Tipping jigs with Berkley Power Bait has enticed a few fish to bite. Sharing the midrange structures have been loads of yellow bass and even a few aggressive bluegill.
Bass anglers have been chasing their prey on some main lake ledges at times. Tossing swim baits has been producing bass that are running schools of roaming shad. The shallow bite has not turned on for most bass fishermen this fall. Most of the fish have opted to stay on secondary sandbars and some main lake ledges.
Surface temperatures have been slow to cool the last two weeks. The cool snap earlier this week likely influenced the water to cross the upper 60’s temperature threshold. So far, the fall bite has made most anglers work pretty hard to earn bites. That can change quickly so hang in there.
02 Oct 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
NICE WEATHER/GOOD FISHING LIFTS SPIRITS OF ANGLERS
Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene has been the beneficiary of some great weather this week. That scenario has been long overdue. Some cooler days gave way to warmer weather as the weekend arrived but not to worry; cooler fall weather is expected to return early next week. Jacket mornings and shirt sleeve afternoons are now in play for fishermen.
Tennessee Valley Authority has done a great job pushing water through Kentucky Dam the last week or so as they began increasing discharge rates over a week ago in anticipation of the wrath of Hurricane Helene. Lake levels are in good shape as discharge rates have kept the reservoir’s elevation at around 355, which is pretty much normal for this time of year. Currently TVA is pushing around 75,000 cfs (cubic feet per second) through Kentucky Dam.
Fortunately, TVA has been able to release a large volume of water for more than a week now as the Mississippi River has been low and able to absorb high discharge rates from both the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. Surface temperatures have been in the 73-to-75-degree range as warm weather lingered last week and earlier this week. Anglers can expect a drop in surface temps as the weekend approaches as cool nights this week were forecast to dip to the upper 50’s and low 60’s.
Next week’s cool spell will further influence the fall to lower surface temps. Fishermen should see surface temps in the upper 60’s next week. Watercolor is clear in the Big Sandy area, but some stain exists along the main Tennessee River channel. Overall, the lake is in good shape.
Decent stringers of crappie have been taken lately, although a few days of north winds that brought the cool snap to our door, caused whitecaps in the open water areas at times. Depths of 16 to 20 feet were giving up crappie the last few days. That’s likely the result of warmer surface temperatures lingering into the start of October. A few crappie were caught in 7-to-12-foot depths by anglers stalking manmade fish attractors such as brush piles and stake beds. Fish were finicky and scattered in the shallow to midrange depths, so it required a lot of stops to accumulate decent numbers of keeper size fish.
When fishing the deeper holes, a lot of credit has gone to the use of live minnows fished on tightline techniques. Some are just tightlining minnows while other are using jigs and tipping them with a shiner minor. Sometimes that live minnow seems to enhance the bite. Other times switching colors and experimenting sizes of jig heads—from 1/32-ounce to 1/16-ounce—has worked best.
Anglers should see an increase in the shallow bite by next week since surface temps will be cooler down to their normal early October range. Shad will increase in numbers swimming around the shallow flats and backs of bays which will lure the fish to their shallow locales. The overall attitude of shallow to midrange crappie should improve in the days ahead. Some cloudy days will also help the bite from light sensitive fish.
Bass fishing has been fair with most tossing shad-colored variations of Rattle Traps, shallow running crankbaits and swimbaits. A few have attempted tossing a spinnerbait and shallow running crankbaits around shallow stickups. Some surface activity has been seen out on the main lake from white bass and a few largemouth busting into schools of shad meandering out over shallow sandbars at times.
Catfishing has taken a backseat, at least to a degree, out on the main Tennessee River channel due to the increased current. And catfish are beginning to move up a bit to midrange depths as crappie anglers are tying into one on a regular basis when fishing the 9-to-12-foot depth zones.
It looks like fall conditions have finally arrived and it’s nice to be on the lake these days. Some warm days will return now and then but overall nice, pleasant weather will hang around for the next several weeks. Don’t miss out on this autumn angling!
26 Sept 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
FISHING SCENE WATCHES WEATHER FROM HURRICANE HELENE…COOLER DAYS NEXT WEEK
Fishermen have an eye in the sky across the Kentucky Lake region as the weekend approaches. The backside of Hurricane Helene is expected to come inland and head up the Tennessee Valley as the weekend approaches, threatening rainy days through Sunday. Anglers will be watching out for not only heavy rains, but wind associated with the storm which will be rated a Tropical Depression by the time it reaches our area. Lots of rain is expected to dump several inches on what an extremely dry late summer and early fall has been.
Just how much rain remains to be seen as forecasters are changing predictions by the hour. No doubt inclement weather will disrupt the fishing scene for a few days but in the aftermath, it appears fall weather is on the horizon. By Monday cooler days will begin to arrive and next week’s forecast looks good with cool days and chilly nights. Finally, a nice fall forecast is on the way.
Presently Kentucky Lake’s elevation is around the 355.5 range as TVA pushed a lot of water through Kentucky Dam the last few days in anticipation of the forthcoming wet weather. The storm surge is expected to dump a lot of water before it starts departing Sunday. Lake levels will likely rise a few inches in the days ahead, but no severe flooding is expected in our region at this time.
Surface temperatures have reflected the week of hot weather. Readings have been in the 75-to-78-degree range. Watch for surface temps for fall beginning early next week once cool weather enters the picture. Watercolor has been clear. Increased current in the main Tennessee River channel the last few days has improved the catfish bite. Flows had increased to 45,000 cfs (cubic feet per second). That could increase throughout the weekend.
Some nice stringers of catfish have been taken from the 30 to 40-foot depth range. If lake levels rise a bit these next few days watch for catfish to move up to as they follow the rising water.
Crappie fishermen have been tying into a catfish now and then as they work midrange depths of 14 to 17 feet. Some crappie are lingering around the 9-to-13-foot depth range and more will move up by next week when rising lake levels and cooler temperatures coincide. When lake levels were falling earlier this week it pulled some crappie back out to slightly deeper water. Plus, the hot weather and rising surface temperatures were factors as well. That’s about to change.
Anglers should see a blitz by schools of shad and crappie this next week. The fall-like weather should stimulate activity and enhance the overall bite. Anglers have been catching a lot of small crappie in-between the keepers while stalking the deeper structures out on the main lake areas. Mixed in with the crappie have been a catfish or two and some bluegill that are also taking up residence in manmade fish attractors.
Looks like a few days of nasty weather will be followed by a few days of stability.
Bass fishermen have been finding the bite sluggish lately. The shallow bite backed off during the hot spell but hopefully that will return next week as more shad schools move shallow and start relating to sloping gravel banks and structure.
It’s time for an aggressive fall bite to kick in. Best keep the raingear handy these next few days. Be observant and cautious as inclement weather is in the cards as the unstable weather pattern passes through.
18 Sept 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
HOT WEATHER HANGS ON AS FALL OFFICIALLY BEGINS
Fishermen around the Kentucky Lake area dodged a bullet last week as the forecasted flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Francine never materialized for us. Some much needed rain did fall but the region is back to wanting another drink along with it cooler temps. Fall officially arrives Sunday on the calendar. Right now, it’s being a bit stubborn as to its arrival. Doesn’t look like that’s going to happen until late next week according to the long-range forecast.
September is living up to its reputation as a month with both summer and fall mixed in. Right now, warm weather has descended as daytime highs are forecast to be in the upper 80’s for the next week or so. Lake levels have dropped to the low elevation of 355.5 this week at Kentucky Dam. That’s down a few inches from last week and the reading means caution should be used by anglers and pleasure boaters. All lakers should observe channel markers this time of year and resist the urge to take shortcuts out over open water. You can sure damage a boat hull or lower unit of an outboard this time of year.
Surface temps are down to the 76 degrees range this week. Watercolor has cleared.
Catfishing has been decent whenever TVA is pulling water. Some mornings are starting out stagnant, but the current has picked up at midday and that enhances the lethargic catfish to get up and get going. Decent stringers have been taken lately as anglers target schools of shad in the 35-to-45-foot depth ranges. Some catches have been reported in the 25-foot depth range. Baits of choice continue to be nightcrawlers, cut bait, chicken liver and several commercial ones from local bait and tackle shops.
Crappie have been fair as decent numbers have been taken on cloudy days in 8-to-12-foot depths. Some fish have moved up but on bright sunny days the bite slows down in shallow areas. No doubt the crappie are sensitive to the bright sunny calm or stagnant days. The bite has been best in the early morning and late afternoon hours for most in shallow zones while some anglers fishing depths of 16 to 20 feet have done okay. Not unusual to see fish back off to deeper main lake spots when hot sunny days team up with falling lake levels.
Watch for crappie to make a blitz back toward shallow venues whenever cloud cover or perhaps rainy days return. Add a little chop to the water from a light wind and that helps too. Some anglers are casting jigs out over shallow submerged structure or using a slip-bobber rig armed with live minnows or jigs. Retrieving the bait slowly over cover will stimulate bites when the fish are displaying a sluggish mood. Slow movement seem to get their attention. Letting the bait just sit still usually won’t pay as many dividends when the lake is dead calm.
Bass fishermen are tossing shad-colored crankbaits and pearl to shad variations of swim baits and finding some fish playing their game. Rattle traps cast in the backs of big bays where meandering schools of shad are staging has produced several largemouth and a few white bass too. Out on main lake areas and around some rip-rap rock banks fishermen have found an occasional smallmouth as well.
It’s that time of the year when early morning and late afternoon surface activity should be showing up on sloping gravel shorelines. Shad move up in the lowlight conditions for brief feeding sprees as they partake of midges, a small insect that hatches out in lowlight periods and really attracts the shad and ultimately the bass.
As October rests on the threshold anglers can expect some cooler weather patterns to enter the picture. Lower surface temperatures will follow the next cool spell and help the attitude of the fish and fishermen.
12 Sept 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
ANGLERS/BOATERS AWAIT BACKSIDE OF HURRICANE FRANCINE
All across the region outdoorsmen of all sorts—anglers, pleasure boaters, hunters, hikers, etc. —are waiting to see what the aftermath of Hurricane Francine will bring to the area. Weathermen across the board are talking high winds, thunderstorms and potential for flooding rains. Seems odd to be talking about flooding as the whole region has been under a drought for quite some time. From one extreme to the other it appears.
Kentucky Lake’s elevation in the Kentucky Dam sector has been around 355.9 and not changing much lately due to a lack of rain. Surface temperatures have cooled a bit and are now around 79 degrees. Watercolor remains clear. Anglers are anticipating a big change these next few days. Heavy rains could see lake levels rise. Thunderstorms and gale winds are reason for concern. Not a good time to be out there on the big lake during potential storm conditions. Meanwhile, the area needs water. Low flows in the Tennessee River lately have greatly diminished current and that’s had a negative impact on the catfish bite to some degree.
The flow in the main channel could change dramatically by early next week if heavy rains drop downpours which is what’s predicted. If that happens the catfish bite may rebound quickly by early next week.
Crappie fishing has been improving. Numbers of fish have increased lately for anglers fishing midrange depths of 8 to 13 feet. Some deeper brush piles in the 16-to-20-foot depth range have produced as well at times. Most anglers credit their catches to vertical fishing jigs, but some are always tipping with minnows to enhance the bite. Now that shad have moved up the crappie have too. Some credit their catches to casting jigs. Others are tossing jigs and minnows beneath slip bobbers as the presentation allows easy depth regulation over shallow structure. The crappie bite should hold up well throughout the fall as long as light winds and stable weather allow anglers for move about on the big lake. Look for stability to return soon.
Bass fishing has been fair for a few attempting to locate smallmouth and some schooling largemouth out on main lake ledges. At times a few bass have been found schooling in the backs of large bays on the eastern side of the lake. Finding big schools of shad is the key. Both white bass and largemouth have been busting the surface at times when they tear holes in the water on a feeding frenzy. Tossing chrome colored Rattle Traps and similar shad-colored crankbaits has been productive. Watch for the presence of gull activity to help you locate the baitfish. Those working the main lake ledges are tossing Carolina rigs, Texas rigged worms, big crankbaits and finesse swim baits trying to trigger strikes from sluggish bass.
Right now, many fishermen are in a “wait and see” mode due to the approaching weather patterns as it could indeed be a game changer for the Kentucky Lake fishing scene. Once Francine has passed through there could be some nice temps and fall fishing conditions ahead.
Fall officially arrives Sunday, September 22nd.
04 Sept 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
FISHERMEN WELCOME COOLER DAYS
Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene got another dose of fall weather recently and fishermen welcomed it with open arms. Although fall doesn’t officially arrive until September 22 no one is complaining about an early arrival. Surface temperatures have fallen to the 80-degree range. Watercolor remains clear as the region is yearning for rain.
Lake levels have dropped to the 356 elevation at Kentucky Dam and across the reservoir. Fishermen and recreational boaters are urged to use caution and observe channel markers. Lower lake levels are normal during late summer and throughout the fall and winter months. That requires boaters to avoid taking shortcuts out over open water areas where shallow sandbars and submerged obstacles can damage your boat and motor’s lower unit. Lack of rain has resulted in diminished flows in the main Tennessee River channel and that has curtailed the catfish bite.
Reduced current usually reduces the main channel area catfish bite as the schools of shad just don’t move around as they do during higher flows. Some catfish have been taken lately in the 30-to-40-foot depth range. A few trophy size catfish are reported now and then as well. Watch for the catfish bite to resume whenever increased flow return.
Some decent stringers of crappie are showing up, but anglers report the bite is scattered out. Depths of 11 to 14 feet have given up several small fish mixed in with some keeper size fish as well. Most anglers credit their catches to jigs but tipping a jig with a minnow has been productive too. As more schools of shad continue to move up more crappie will be hot on their trail. A few anglers are casting curly tail grubs over deeper structure and finding that attractive to finicky crappie.
Crappie fishermen can expect the shallow bite to improve now that surface temps are cooling. Shad schools have already moved into secondary bays and up on shallow sides of main lake sandbars. Should be some activity soon in the 4-to-9-foot depth range if not already. Casting slip bobber rigs with minnows and jigs can be effective as fish head shallow too.
Bass activity has been fair with more fish moving up on shallow sandbars out on the main lake and also back into some bays on gravel banks. Once the shad move shallow the transition of bass and crappie takes place as they follow their forage base. Tossing Rattle Traps and similar crankbaits in the chrome and shad-colored variations are popular choices as it allows anglers to cover a lot of water quickly.
Some schools of white bass are exhibiting surface activity out on main lake sandbars and in the mouth of big bays. They’re in hot pursuit of shad and often largemouth are right there with them. Watch for the gull activity to help direct you to whereabouts of shad schools.
Meanwhile, main lake areas are still holding bass and anglers are tossing swimbaits, crankbaits and some Texas rigged worms. Transition time is underway as fish respond to lower surface temperatures and put on the feed bag. September is a month with a little bit of summer left in it and a dose of fall too.
28 Aug 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
SUMMER BOATING SEASON WINDS DOWN
Kentucky Lake fishermen of all sorts are yearning for fall’s arrival. It’s approaching and will officially arrive on September 22. Until then, a lot of anglers are making the best of what has been a long hot and dry summer fishing season. You know it’s dry when even fishermen want rain! Although there’s no official boating season the arrival of The Labor Day holiday period is sort of the unofficial end of the summer boating season. It kicks off every year when Memorial Day arrives.
Soon cooler days will arrive and diminish swimming, jet ski activity and some pontoon ventures. Plus, sporting activities and school days, not to mention a lot of hunting seasons opening up are pulling people away from the lakes as seasons change. Lake levels on the reservoir have continued to descend slowly each week and are now down around the 356.3 range. Surface temperatures have been reluctant to cool much and were hanging around the 86-degree range. Watercolor is clear.
The late summer fishing scene hasn’t been all bad despite the heat as a few crappie have been taken in midrange depths of 9 to 13 feet lately. Sometimes even during the hot spells shad begin to move up a bit into midrange depths, pulling the bass and crappie with them. That seems to be happening as of late with a few boats reporting crappie taking minnows and some jigs fished over manmade structure in 11 to 12 feet at times. Most fishermen indicated the fish a bit scattered but still enough activity to keep interest levels up.
A few reports from bass anglers indicates a few fish have also moved up to shallow areas in pursuit of shad schools that are roaming around shallow sandbars and toward gravel shorelines at times. Some credit their success to shallow running shad-colored crankbaits while others have taken some fish on topwater baits at times. No doubt the bass and crappie are following their forage even when high surface temps remain. Other bass anglers are targeting main lake ledges and still tossing their arsenal of big Texas rigged worms, giant crankbaits, swim baits and finesse worms just to name a few.
Scattered schools of white bass have been reported out near main lake ledges as they bust the surface at times chasing baitfish. Some largemouth are also roaming there with them. From chrome colored Rattle Traps to various inline spinners, both the white bass and black bass will jump on anything resembling the fleeing shad.
Still underway has been the catfish bite. TVA has been pulling enough current to keep it going although the whole region is in need of rainfall. Depths of 40 to 50 feet have given up good numbers but some schools have moved up a bit to 25-to-35-foot ranges.
Watch for a lot of transition by the fish in the weeks ahead as they take on a fall pattern and move up once surface temps begin to cool. Cooler times are coming so don’t give up on them! This late summer and early fall time frame offers pretty good weather and overall fishing opportunities.
21 Aug 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
LATE SUMMER CATFISH BITE STILL UNDERWAY PLUS WHITE BASS ACTIVITY
August is fading fast but the summer catfish bite along the main Tennessee River channel area is holding up well. Cat fishermen continue to score some dandy stringers while stalking the edge of the main channel area in depths of 40 to 50 feet. Whenever there’s current moving it flips the switch for catfish to go on the prowl. Overall, the bite has been consistent whenever TVA is pulling current.
This week the flow has been in the range of 26,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) and that stirred up the schools of threadfin and gizzard shad enough to put a bend in the poles of anglers out there bumping bottom or sometimes fishing suspended around the balls of baitfish.
Cooler weather earlier this week offered another touch of fall. Chilly mornings had anglers donning long sleeve shirts, but it appears the honeymoon with a cool spell will be short lived. While the cool fronts sure feel nice, the northeast winds associated with the cool fronts are not friendly to fishermen. It usually means whitecaps in the big open water areas of Kentucky Lake. The weatherman indicates hot days are returning with highs climbing back to the mid 90’s by early next week. August sometimes tricks anglers with a cool day now and then but it usually holds up to its hot and humid reputation till the very end.
The catfish bite has held up well as of late with most anglers using nightcrawlers for their bait of choice. There are always going to be experiments by cat fishermen trying out various bait presentations ranging from chicken liver to cut bait, shrimp and hot dogs or something unusual. Scores of commercial catfish baits work great too.
Meanwhile, a few reports of schooling white bass have come it as of late. On the calm days some surface activity has been seen along the edges of the main river channel sandbars. Big schools of baitfish meandering along get the attention of these aggressive white bass who chase them out over shallow areas. The shad some to the surface in a last-ditch attempt to flee from the aggressive white bass who put on a feeding frenzy like a pack of wolves in hot pursuit.
Tossing a chrome-colored spoon, white Rooster Tail or any similar lure that mimics a swimming shad will pay dividends. Hitting the peak of a big school of white bass erupting is one of fishing’s finest moments. Action is fast and furious.
From the summer bass bite has come mediocre reports from anglers chasing after what has been a somewhat sluggish attitude for hot August bass outings. Fishing the main lake ledges has produced a few fish at times by anglers tossing big deep diving crankbaits and big Texas rigged worms. However, the overall reports indicate anglers have been slugging it out in the trenches.
Crappie have been somewhat sluggish as well with low numbers of fish taken during the hot spells. The number of anglers has dwindled lately whenever heat waves take over. Most are waiting on cooler weather to get here and stay here.
September days are on the threshold!
14 Aug 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
CATFISH BITE CONTINUES…WHITE BASS INCONSISTENT
The best bite going for the mid-summer fishing scene here on Kentucky Lake has been catfishing. Both the bite and the weather have been pretty hot! Lake levels continue to fall slowly on the path of TVA’s winter drawdown schedule. Elevation this week has dropped to 357, which is down several inches from last week at this time. Surface temperatures have been in the 86-to-89-degree range.
Nice stringers of channel catfish, along with a few blues, are being caught by a few fishermen who have mastered the deep-water techniques of the Tennessee River. Thanks to a pretty steady flow of current lately through Kentucky Dam moving water has worked in favor of the catfishing scene. Most days TVA has been pulling water in the rate of 33,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). Some days less but holding around that range and that’s enough to stimulate movement of bait fish. When the current is moving it stimulates schools of shad to meander around, feeding on zooplankton throughout the water column.
That scenario within the food chain spells success for cat fishermen out near the main channel banks or humps in deeper depths of 40 to 55 feet. While most anglers choose to bump bottom with a double hook rig—hooks are often tied a couple of feet apart on drop loops—sometimes the fish may be suspended. Closely watching the movement of balls of baitfish, accomplished anglers monitor closely the depth of the bait and adjust their bait presentation accordingly. Sophisticated sonar units even help identify the whereabouts of the larger fish, helping anglers pinpoint their bait presentation.
A lot of the better boxes of fish taken are from those anglers who do just that. They mark the fish on their screens and attempt to put the bait right smack dab in the face of the fish! Productive bait choices always seem to have nightcrawlers on the list. Chicken liver, cut bait, hot dogs dipped in commercial concoctions are but a few of the more popular choices being credited for catches. There are always a few cat fishermen mixing up their own recipes of magic potions. As long as the current keeps flowing the main channel area catfish bite should hold up.
Bass fishing has been sluggish for most. Reports have trickled from anglers targeting the main lake ledges with big deep diving crankbaits, Texas rigged worms, swim baits and some jigging spoons. There have been some anglers finding locating a few isolated schools of base chasing shad while mixed in with some white bass.
White bass (stripes) have been seen busting the surface out in the main lake areas, but sightings of schooling fish have been inconsistent. Those catching a few white bass credit their catches to the use of white Rooster Tails and some silver-colored jigging spoons.
Isolated reports have come in from a few summer crappie anglers working the main lake ledges around depths of 18 to 25 feet. They credit their catch to the use of live minnows in most reports.
08 Aug 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
CATFISH/WHITE BASS BITE DEPENDENT ON CURRENT
Decent stringers of catfish continue to show up in the creel of mid-summer anglers. Scattered sightings of surface schooling white bass have also been reported but the activity has been inconsistent. Despite hot weather a few anglers are still hitting the lake in the early morning and logging a few hours of fishing but throwing in the towel when a stubborn sun takes over and calls the shots.
Kentucky Lake’s elevation continues to fall slowly and is pretty much on schedule for TVA’s winter drawdown that began July 1. Lake levels this week were in the 357.4 range at Kentucky Dam, which is down a few inches from last week. Surface temperatures reflect the warm weather and are hanging around the 89-to-92-degree range. Some brief periods of cool weather offered a short reprieve from the hot and humid dog days of summer, but the honeymoon was short as August is living up to its hot reputation.
Current out on the main Tennessee River channel has a lot of influence on the midsummer catfish bite. There have been a few decent reports from successful anglers whenever the flow was stimulating the shad schools to move about. Other days a downright sluggish bite was the norm as a lack of current turns off the aggressive bite as balls of baitfish just don’t meander about when stagnant water takes over.
Lately TVA has been pushing some water through Kentucky Dam at a rate of 28,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) and that is enough to produce a decent bite and put ole’ whiskers on the prowl. However, when current fades away so does the bite. Catfish have been taken in the 40-to-50-foot depth range. Some even deeper at times. Watching the sonar screen and monitoring the depths and locations of schooling shad helps locate the catfish, which are usually laying right there with them. Experienced anglers have learned to pinpoint the whereabouts of larger fish too, adjusting their bait and depth presentation right in the face of finicky fish.
Nightcrawlers, cut bait, chicken livers and a host of commercial baits have paid dividends. Unfortunately, the old tried and true bait that is no longer available for most fishermen are catalpa worms.
Scattered reports of surface feeding frenzies from schooling white bass are coming in from across the reservoir. August is usually prime time for these aggressive feeders that tear up the surface once they corral a school of shad and push them over shallow sandbars. Found mostly near the main Tennessee River channel banks that rise up to shallow sandbars, white bass bust the surface on a calm day as they ambush schools of threadfin and gizzard shad. It is indeed one of fishing’s finest hours to be in the midst of a white bass jump, commonly referred to as stripes. These aggressive gamefish put up a fight. Average size is usually in the ¾ to 1-pound range, but they often grow bigger. They all fight.
About the best approach is to cruise the edges of the river channel, keeping a sharp eye out for surface activity. In the mouth of some of the large bays that empty into the main channel are likely spots.
Some bass fishermen are still working the main lake ledges tossing mostly Texas rigged worms, Carolina rigs, swim baits and huge deep diving crankbaits.
Summer crappie have been showing up too but in low numbers. Most successful anglers credit their catches to deep structure in the 18-to-25-foot depth range while using live minnows for bait.
01 Aug 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
AUGUST HEAT DOMINATES FISHING SCENE
August is living up to its mid-summer reputation as a hot and humid month. The dog days of summer are here and the extended spell of heat with a forecast of days filled with a three-digit heat index are calling the shots for fishermen. Lake levels this week were in the 337.8 range, which is down a few inches from last week. The reservoir is falling slowly and staying pretty much on schedule for Tennessee Valley Authority’s drawdown. Surface temperatures were in the 88-to-92-degree range. Watercolor is clear.
Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene has been a bit sluggish for most anglers, many of which are dodging the heat altogether while a few die-hard anglers are still slugging it out but hitting the lake in the early morning hours. One improvement has been noted from the catfishing department where increased current out there along the Tennessee River channel has improved the bite. Tennessee Valley Authority increased flows lately through Kentucky Dam. Discharge rates lately have been in the 31,000 to 35,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). That can vary from day to day depending on power demands and rainfall.
Last week some decent stringers were reported by anglers targeting the 45 to 55 depth range. The increase in current stimulated more movement from schools of shad roaming about and feeding on plankton. Once the shad respond to increased current the schools of catfish are right there with them, taking on more interest with increased feeding sprees. The more the shad move around the better the catfish bite.
Meanwhile, bass anglers report a mediocre bite from main lake ledges where most anglers are focusing their efforts in hopes of finding a few schooling bass. Most reports say anglers are slugging it out in the trenches and having to earn bites from finicky fish. There were a few bright spots from some anglers who indicated the fish responded favorably when the main river current increased on sandbars. Tossing big crankbaits and working a big Texas rigged worm in the 9 to 10-inch length gave up a few bites. So did some swim baits worked along the edge of the drop-offs plus slow retrieves of Carolina rigs. Some resorted to jigging spoons as well.
White bass schooling and busting the surface at times seemed to be inconsistent. Anglers were seeing a few but not many big schools were seen on aggressive feeding sprees, but that scenario should improve as August and early September usually produce the best surface feeding frenzies. Those main lake sandbars should see baitfish activity lure the white bass on calm days. It can get real good real quick once the white bass turn on.
Keep a couple rods rigged and ready with a white Rooster Tail or Mepps spinner in a chrome color. Slab spoons will work too. Anything that mimics a shad darting through the water will usually get results. A few scattered mayfly hatches continue to show up out around the main river shorelines and island rims. Some bass and bluegill are always nearby.
Summer crappie continue to be taken by anglers using mostly minnows while working main lake ledges in depths of 18 to 25 feet. Most are using bottom bumping rigs to feel the structure as the fish are holding around deep brush piles, stake beds and stumps. Reports have come in from a few crappie holding in midrange depths of 14 to 15 feet around manmade fish attractors.
With the heat dominating the fishing scene some bass, crappie and white bass fishermen have resorted to night fishing.
24 July 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
SLIGHTLY LOWER LAKE LEVELS AND COOLER TEMPS FOR ANGLERS
Fishermen are turning the page on the calendar as July fades into August. Since last week the Kentucky Lake fishing scene has experienced slightly cooler temperatures and lake levels continue to fall slowly while still pretty much on schedule for TVA’s drawdown. Lake levels at Kentucky Dam were hanging around the 358.2 range but saw a slight fluctuation a few days in the aftermath of some thunderstorms that drenched the region. Some days fishermen had to dig out the raingear. Surface temperatures were staying in the 82-to-86-degree range. Watercolor remains clear.
At midweek a slight increase in discharge rates at Kentucky Dam added a little more current to the Tennessee River channel. TVA had increased it to 26,000 cfs (cubic feet per second) at midweek, which increased some from last week’s sluggish flow.
The summer catfish bite has been somewhat below average the last week or two due to low flows. It should improve as more water pushing through the system usually stimulates the bite. Most cat fishermen lately have reported below average numbers of blue and channel catfish in their daily creel. Usually those stalking the main river channel banks this time of year are drifting slowly with the current while bottom bumping depths of 40 to 50 feet. Lately the catfish bite has been somewhat lethargic. When schools of baitfish are not roaming it curtails the activity of schools of catfish, resulting in a diminished bite. That scenario can vary from day to day once increased current enters the picture.
The summer crappie picture has held up decent for a few veteran anglers which have deep main lake structure in their sights. Depths of 18 to 25 feet have given up a few fish when anglers target that deep structure. Once hot weather kicks in most summer crappie anglers rely on the use of live minnows. However, some choose to tip a jig with a minnow to entice bites from finicky fish. There have been a few fish still lurking around midrange stake beds and brush piles in the 14-foot depth range but most of the better stringers are coming from deeper structures.
Scattered and inconsistent reports of white bass in the jumps have been witnessed out along the edge of the main river channel and adjacent sandbars. The schools of minnows attract the aggressive white bass at times, resulting in surface feeding frenzies when they corral shad and push them out over shallow areas. Anglers can expect the white bass feeding sprees to improve throughout August as lower lake levels and schooling baitfish during the calm dog days of summer reveal the whereabouts of both baitfish and white bass on the prowl.
Still stalking the main lake ledges have been avid summer bass anglers tossing their arsenal of big deep diving crankbaits, swimbaits, Carolina rigs, Texas rigged worms plus some jigging spoons at times. Like the cat fishermen summer bass anglers rely on current to help their cause. Moving water helps put minnows around structure as they seek areas of eddies that form on the down current sides of logs, tree laps and bridge piers. Find the minnows and you’ll find some bass. Without current the schools of baitfish roam, which makes it tough on the shallow water bite.
Those fishing main lake ledges know that deep sandbar irregularities or humps can divert the current just enough to attract schools of baitfish to their locale with bass hot on their trail. Bass anglers are usually glued to the screens of their sonar units attempting to find balls of baitfish activity. Anglers closely monitor the depth of baitfish while watching for bigger fish sightings as the bass attempt an ambush. Lately the bite has been challenging for most summer bass fishermen but that too can change at the drop of a hat once the current picks up.
A few mayfly hatches have been underway with some big hatches occurring around the thunderstorms. Seems fly hatches are triggered by the sudden low-pressure surge of thunderstorms. Both bass fishermen and some pan fishermen who love tossing ultralight tackle can find fast action once low overhangs are discovered. They provide a canopy of shade loaded with a buffet, so bass and bluegill seize the opportunity.
The midsummer dog days are here!
17 July 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
COOL SPELL LONG OVERDUE FOR ANGLERS EVERYWHERE
A cool spell that lowered temperatures and humidity the last few days was long overdue for the Kentucky Lake fishing scene. Anglers got a little pep in their step as temperatures were actually forecast to be slightly below average for a few days. Nighttime lows are projected to fall into the upper 60’s a few nights with daytime highs expecting to stay in the upper 80’s for a short period. That sure beats the three-digit heat index that has hung over the entire region for the last few weeks. No doubt the heat has curtailed fishing for most folks so the cool spell should stimulate the fishing scene to some degree.
Lake levels this week have fallen to the 358.4 range at Kentucky Dam, which is down a few inches from last week. That’s still pretty much holding true to TVA’s drawdown schedule. Watercolor remains clear. Surface temperatures reflect the extended hot spell that held a grip for the last several weeks as reading are in the 88-to-92-degree range. Anglers might see a slight change in the surface temps this week. No doubt the lower humidity has already improved out there on the lake, especially when escorted by a light breeze.
Summer crappie fishing is still holding up for those brave enough to battle the heat. It should feel better out there these next few days. Successful anglers credit their catching to fishing live minnows in the 18-to-25-foot depth range. There have been a few positive reports, so the heat has not totally curtailed the fishing scene.
Sluggish current in the main Tennessee River has not stimulated an aggressive summer bite from catfish but that often varies from day to day. The current has a big influence on the movement of baitfish and the overall bite. Some decent stringers were taken by anglers targeting the 40 to 50 depth range. Their baits of choice always seem to be nightcrawlers, chicken livers, cut bait or various commercial concoctions found at the local bait shop.
Scattered sighting of white bass activity has been reported but the surface activity has been inconsistent. A few jumps out along the edge of the main river channel or other main lake sandbars have been seen on calm days. Watch for increased surface activity from schooling white bass in the weeks ahead as lower lake levels in August arrive seems to always offer more chances of finding a feeding frenzy. Keep a white Rooster Tail, chrome colored Little George or Hopkins Spoon tied on and ready.
Scattered reports from bass anglers hitting the main lake ledges have come in. Some have even resorted to night fishing hoping to beat the heat that dominated most of July. Tossing big Texas rigged worms, swim baits, Caroline rigs, deep diving crankbaits or hopping a jig with various trailers added on have produced a few sluggish summer bass. Sometimes both largemouth and white bass will team up on schools of shad out there on the sandbars, pushing them to the surface in their last-ditch effort to escape the onslaught. It’s quick action if you’re within casting distance. Tons of fast fun!
Mayflies are always a part of the summer fishing scene. Their hatches occur throughout the summer months and all the way into early September. Lately some bass fishermen have been targeting the hatches and picking up some activity while tossing topwater lures and Rooster Tail type spinners.
A few bluegill have been feeding on the abundance of mayflies too. Tossing ultralight grubs and beetle spin type lures plus live crickets cast on bobbers has yielded results.
11 July 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
SUMMER DAZE REQUIRES ANGLES RISE EARLY
Kentucky Lake fishermen best set the alarm and rise early. In order to beat the heat anglers are rising to the occasion, hitting the water long before the sun rises high in the sky. Wise are the fishermen who launch the boat in the wee hours of the morning and motor to their starting spot early. The summer fishing scene will again hit the three-digit heat index in the days ahead says the weather wizards.
Early morning fishing trips have not been all bad as of late. Some increase in activity has been reported by cat fishermen in addition to crappie and bass anglers. And there are a few reports of scattered sightings of white bass jumps out on main lake sandbars adjacent to the main Tennessee River channel. A slight increase in current the last few days has helped the overall bite somewhat. Tennessee Valley Authority increased discharge rates to over 24,000 cfs (cubic feet per second) at Kentucky Dam but flows have been low as of late.
Lake levels show the elevation to be around 358.7 range. That’s down a few inches from last weekend. Watercolor remains clear. Surface temperatures are in the 88-to-92-degree range.
A sluggish catfish bite should show signs of improvement as increased current will help stimulate additional movement from schools of baitfish. Depths of 45 to 50 feet have been giving up a few fish as have some suspended schools of baitfish/catfish showing up on sonar screens in the 40-foot depth range. Popular bait choices continue to be nightcrawlers, chicken livers, cut-bait, hot dogs marinated in a host of manmade concoctions and several different commercial stink baits.
Some stringers of crappie have been taken by anglers using mostly live minnow presentations on main lake areas. Finding brush piles and stake beds or deep stump rows in the 18-to-25-foot depth range have given up several crappie. There are a few fish still residing in manmade fish attractors located in the 14-foot depth range. Some anglers are using jigs or tipping jigs with minnows to entice bites from finicky fish. Others are resorting to live minnow presentations exclusively.
Mayfly hatches have occurred on a regular basis along the main river shorelines as well as some island rims and backwater bays. Seems the hatches have really emerged whenever a thunderstorm occurs as that seems to trigger this natural phenomenon. Some decent reports by anglers finding bass and bluegill beneath the shady canopies of overhanging willows have come in despite the hot weather.
Bass anglers banging away at main lake ledges have found the bite to be sluggish as of late. Perhaps the increase in current could also help that situation. More schools of shad should begin to move about and feed on plankton as the current increases. The bass bite on the ledges should reflect that and improve. Not all bass are deep as some have been taken around the mayfly hatches. Seems the hatches always bring activity to their whereabouts.
03 July 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
FISHING SCENE SIZZLES AS TEMPS COMB
Rising surface temperatures reflect the extended spell of hot weather across the Kentucky Lake region. Readings this week showed the lake had warmed to the 88-to-90-degree range. Watercolor remains clear across the reservoir. Lake levels continue to fall slowly as TVA implemented its annual drawdown beginning July 1. All lake users will begin to see slightly lower lake stages in the weeks and months ahead. Elevation this week saw the reservoir falling slowly and was showing an elevation of 358.8 at Kentucky Dam, which is down a few inches from the summer pool elevation of 359.
Hot and humid weather continues to dictate the fishing conditions for most anglers. After the first two or three hours of the morning it’s pretty tough out there. Some days when light winds team up with cloud cover it’s tolerable; other days it’s an endurance test. The heat index lately has reached the three-digit mark and that takes the fun out of fishing.
Cat fishermen are finding a few playing their game out on the main Tennessee River channel area. Most days have produced a low flow as a lazy current situation has not worked in favor of an aggressive bite but that can change from day to day. The current calls the shots. A few fish have been taken by anglers using nightcrawlers and chicken livers, along with several commercial catfish baits. Depths of 35 to 45 feet have produced at times with some hanging around the 50-foot range.
The summer crappie bite has been sluggish this week but at times wind has had a negative impact. A few crappie have been taken in the 19-to-23-foot depth range by fishermen working the deep sides of main lake ledges while using mostly live minnows.
Main lake ledges have been sluggish to produce bass lately too, another side effect of low current at times. There are still a lot of schools of pin minnows related to grass beds and blowdowns on the edges of main river island rims. A few bass have been taken by anglers who find the minnows schooling. Tossing a Texas rigged worm and white/chartreuse spinnerbait with a bronze willow leaf blade have paid dividends at times. Some scattered reports from a few boats trolling crankbaits out on the main lake ledges have indicated a few sauger and white bass have been taken out there at times.
Big mayfly hatches were underway lately out on the main river shorelines and islands. That has attracted several species of fish up to shallow shady spots at times. A few bass and bluegill are feeding on them plus a host of other species there for the buffet as well.
Practically everyone on the lake is yearning for a few cool cloudy mornings that will help the attitude of both the fish and the fishermen.
27 June 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
TVA’S DRAWDOWN BEGINS…LAKE STARTS SLOW DESCENT
Remember back in the spring when cold north winds chilled to the bone? Anglers across the board were whining about unruly conditions pushed by nasty north winds and rain that dictated where and how folks could fish. Those that wished for warmer days may have wished too hard! A heat index lately has reached the three-digit mark at times and that has altered the Kentucky Lake fishing scene for the majority of summer fishermen. Even the die-hard anglers have been complaining about the hot and humid temps. Numbers of anglers on the lake has diminished because of excessive summer heat.
Despite the unruly temps there are still a few dedicated fishermen hitting the lake after an early morning wake-up call. It’s not all bad the first few hours as light breezes sometimes team up with a little cloud cover helping make the morning fishing trips tolerable.
Recreational boaters and anglers on Kentucky Lake’s will begin to notice the reservoir’s annual drawdown kicking in on July 1. Each year Tennessee Valley Authority implements its start toward winter drawdown once July arrives. It’s a long slow decline in lake levels that will see the reservoir’s elevation fall from the 359-summer pool level to a low ebb of winter pool, which is around an elevation of 354, by late October or early November. The drawdown is done so TVA can create more storage capacity within the reservoir as winter rains occur.
It’s all part of a complex system but generally speaking management of a sometimes-wild Tennessee River has served us well here in the valley and a byproduct of navigation, flood control and hydro power has been a recreational wonderland.
This week’s fishing scene has seen stable lake levels holding at normal summer pool of 359. That’s about to see a slow decline. Hot weather continues to dictate the summer fishing scene for practically all anglers. Surface temperatures this week have risen to the 87-to-89-degree range. A few scattered reports from the upper Big Sandy basin already reported some 90-degree water a few days.
Watercolor remains clear despite a few thunderstorms that drenched some portions of the area. Those pop-up dark clouds this time of year command respect and attention from everyone on the lake. Mayfly hatches continue to be the bright spot for some anglers who love to cast ultralight tackle in the midst of a feeding frenzy. Bluegill, bass, yellow bass all sorts of sunfish and more seem to benefit from nature’s buffet.
Tossing a Rooster Tail spinner will introduce you to a wide variety of species, but bluegill and bass love the little feather tail spinners. Tossing a cricket and slip bobber beneath the mayfly hatches will produce too. In the old days the art of using a flyrod and popping bug was the norm. That style of fishing is rarely seen on the lake these days, but it still works if you know how to perform the magical casting technique. Nothing quite like it as fish rise from placid waters, tearing a hole in the surface as they compete for falling flies. Some say it’s one of fishing’s finest hours.
From the catfish category comes a sluggish report as a lack of current lately has not worked in favor of anglers stalking the main Tennessee River channel area. Without the current the fish just don’t exhibit much interest. Their feeding habits diminish along with their attitude. Watch for that to improve once TVA resumes pulling more water through Kentucky Dam. The discharge rate lately has only been around the 18,000 cubic feet per second.
Bass fishing has been sluggish as well. Several boats are out searching main lake ledges in hopes of finding some schooling activity, but the bite has been very challenging. Anglers have been tossing everything in their summer arsenal—ranging from big deep diving crankbaits to Texas rigged worms and Carolina rigs—but the bass have not shown a lot of interest. That too will change once moving water returns to the picture.
There are still some nice schools of pin minnows holding around island rim weed beds and hovering in blow downs or boat docks and piers. The pin minnows are holding tight to cover and shade and there always seems to be a few bass right there with them. Tossing a spinnerbait or various topwater baits will produce strikes.
Summer crappie are still biting for those working deep brush piles and stake beds in the 18-to-20-foot depths. Some fish have been taken in the 12-to-15-foot depth range as well. Live minnows or jigs tipped with minnows are producing.
12 June 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
HOT WEATHER ENTERS THE PICURE…ANGLERS KICK OFF EARLY
Earlier this week Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene flirted with some cool morning temps that sort of had a fall feel. Chilly starts required long sleeve shirts several days. It appears the honeymoon with cool mornings and low humidity has come to an end. By this weekend summer weather patterns descend, sending temps into the low to mid 90’s. Summer doesn’t officially arrive until June 20 but anglers best prepare for the approaching heat wave that may alter the fishing timetable for scores of anglers.
Fishermen are already altering their daily kickoff times and planning to hit the lake in the wee hours of the morning before a mean midday sun takes over. Surface temperatures have climbed slightly and will reach the 81 to 83 degree range this weekend. Weather experts indicate a 100-degree heat index is in the cards by this weekend. Water color is clear across the reservoir. Lake levels are stable and hanging around the summer pool elevation of 359.
Mayfly hatches continue to show up along the main channel areas and along the rims of river islands. That usually pulls several bass and bluegill to the shallow areas where shady overhangs deliver a steady diet of flies, luring hungry fish. Tossing ultralight tackle using small grubs, Rooster tail spinners or perhaps crickets can deliver a lot of action in the midst of a mayfly hatch.
Crappie fishing has held up well for anglers targeting the 9 to 14 foot depth range. Successful anglers credit both live minnows and jigs and a lot are tipping jigs with minnows to entice bites from finicky fish. Stake beds and brush piles are holding decent numbers of fish. The bite has been best when a light breeze teams up with some cloud cover. Those bright high skies together with a stagnant wind out on the lake seem to produce a reluctant bite.
Bass have been pretty good on main lake ledges and humps. Scores of bass fishermen are targeting the main lake areas while tossing big deep diving crank baits in shad colored variations. Others are relying on Texas rigged worms in green pumpkin pepper, Tequila sunrise, black/blue combination and cotton candy just to name a few. Also in the arsenal have been Carolina rigged worms, swim baits and a jig and craw combo fished out on the ledges.
Not all the fish are in a deep pattern. Some anglers credit their catches to tossing a spinner bait, topwater and Texas rigged worm or shallow running crank bait around island rims. The key is to locate the schools of pin minnows as the bass will be there with them. Some days current has helped the bass bite for both deep and shallow fishermen. Current stimulates activity, resulting in more movement of bait fish.
Finding blow downs along the main river shorelines or island rims has been a good choice for activity. Several tree tops have fallen on shorelines and created good bass habitat.
The catfish bite has been dependent on the current. Not much current was present earlier this week but watch for that to increase as hot weather increases power demands. TVA will likely be pulling more water in the days ahead. The bite along the main river channel bank areas should improve once the current increases and adds more balls of bait fish moving about. Without current catfish take on a lethargic attitude due to a lack of shad movement.
A few scattered reports have come in from boats trolling crank baits out on main lake sandbars and finding a few sauger. Not big numbers but a few scattered ones showing up. With hot weather heating up the fishing scene it’s best to rise and shine early, perhaps pitching in the towel before a midday sun takes the fun out of it!
06 June 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
LAKE LEVELS BACK TO NORMAL…MAY HATCHES UNDERWAY
Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene had returned to normal in terms of lake levels and overall weather patterns this week. It has been a wild ride the previous two or three weeks. Presently, the reservoir is back to near normal summer pool level. Readings were showing an elevation of 359.2 at Kentucky Dam as this report was updated. Surface temps have warmed to the 79 to 81 degree range. Water color is clearing in backwater bays but still dingy in the main Tennessee River channel.
Mayfly hatches were underway this week as massive swarms of flies could be seen along river islands and main lake shorelines. Several mayflies were also showing up in the upper end of Big Sandy. That can stimulate the bite for both bass and bluegill around shallow weed beds, low overhanging trees and around steep banks.
Not many old techniques such as using a fly rod and popping bug are seen out there anymore but tossing ultralight spinning tackle with slip-bobbers and boats armed with wax worms or crickets is deadly. So is casting a small Rooster Tail around the shorelines where flies are present. Anglers can tie into a lot of different species during the peak of a mayfly hatch. Look for big hatches to continue for another month or more. Several bluegill were still lingering around some late bedding areas where anglers were tying into decent numbers in 3 feet of water or less.
Catfish are still hanging around some shallow shorelines too as bluegill fishermen continue to hook into them on a regular basis. The shallow bushes and weeds are full of small shad fry that have hatched out the last week or two so there is an abundance of forage that lures them to shallow structure. At the same time the bite has resumed somewhat for boaters moving out and working the main river channel areas. Watch for the bite to hold up for several more weeks as the summer catfish bite is dependent on some current out there to stir up the schools of shad. Baits of choice are nightcrawlers, big minnows, cut bait, chicken livers and a host of commercial baits that work well too.
Post spawn crappie hare biting pretty good as they fall back to mid-range depths of 9 to 15 feet. June can be a good month to find and catch crappie. The fish resume their affinity for structure so brush piles and stake beds are holding them. Both live minnows and various jig color combinations are producing.
Bass fishermen are finding pretty good action around shallow weeds and buck bushes, not to mention blown down trees that are attracting big schools of pin minnows. Quite a few schools of pin (shad fry) minnows are gathering around any shoreline cover or island rims and that draws the bass. Find the schooling minnows and you’ll find the bass. Casting gold willow leaf spinner baits, Texas rigged worms and assorted topwater is working well.
Kentucky Lake’s ledge bite has improved as anglers tossing big deep diving crank baits are back out there pounding away, covering a lot of water in an attempt to locate some schooling fish. Big Texas rigged worms in the green pumpkin pepper, black/blue and red shad color variations are a few popular color choices. Carolina rigged worms plus swim baits and hopping a jig and craw combo have paid dividends as well.
With the return of normal lake levels and weather patterns comes a good early summer fishing pattern with much more predictability on the whereabouts of all species.
30 May 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
LAKERS STILL REELING FROM RISING WATER LEVELS
May’s saga with changing lake levels continues. Elevation across the reservoir jumped almost three feet recently—TVA had initially projected a crest of 362.9 at Kentucky Dam last Wednesday but on Thursday revised it and the reservoir was falling —in the aftermath of severe storms that dumped heavy rains across an already wet TVA valley. Normal summer pool level is 359 so the lake is high but crested at midweek and is now falling fast. TVA was pulling more than 90,000 cubic feet per second through Kentucky Dam on Thursday.
Water color is muddy to dingy in many areas but not too bad to fish in most of the larger bays. It will begin to clear quickly as declining lake levels will pull most of the muddy and dingy water out of bays off the flats. Clearing is already underway but the main Tennessee River channel will likely remain dingy for a few more days.
Surface temperatures are in the 76 to 79 degree range and will rise in the days ahead.
Rising lake levels stimulated the catfish bite as they moved up to shallow areas following the water that inundates new feeding opportunities. Backwater bays and pockets saw a lot of fish taken around shallow shoreline structure and rocky bank areas. Some boats were scoring good stringers while jug fishing the backwater bays.
Since the decent has already started watch for a lot of current in the main Tennessee River channel for the next several days, which should stimulate the catfish bite out there on the channel banks. When TVA begins pushing a lot of water through Kentucky Dam in an effort to pull the reservoir back down to normal summer pool the catfish bite will really turn on.
Bottom bumping presentations along the main river bank should produce excellent catfishing opportunities. From night crawlers to big minnows and all sorts of commercial concoctions, look for the catfish to be in high gear as long as the current keeps flowing. Some catfish were taken back in bays and pockets and along rocky banks in relatively shallow water too where feeder creeks brought runoff info the main lake.
A few bluegill are still biting and several boats continue to target them by casting crickets, wax worms and red wigglers. Many were relating to bushes and grassbeds this week.
A few mayfly hatches are beginning to show up along Kentucky Lake shorelines. Watch for some massive hatches these next few weeks along river islands and main lake shorelines.
Post spawn crappie will regain their footing now that high waters are receding. Depths of 11 to 15 feet had been producing with some fish even deeper on main lake ledges at times. June can be a good month for crappie and the bite will likely resume by next week.
Bass fishermen were beginning to back off the banks and fish the ledge bite before high water entered the picture but watch for that pattern to resume next week once the lake falls back to summer pool levels. However, there are a lot of schools of small shad fry showing up along river islands and back in bays where the pin minnows gang up around structure such as buck bushes, logs, treelaps and grassbeds.
It’s a great time to toss a spinnerbait, buzzbait, shallow running crankbaits and a Texas rigged worm around shallow structure once schools of baitfish are located. There’s always a few bass chasing shallow bait fish. At the same time the main lake ledge bite will improve for those tossing big crankbaits, Texas rigged worms, jig and pig, Carolina rigs and swimbaits.
It has been a strange late spring fishing pattern as anglers tried to outguess the fish during drastically changing lake levels. Anglers have to be asking themselves if stability will every return to the fishing scene? It will indeed if the storms and floods ever stop interfering.
23 May 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
CATFISH BITE IMPROVES AS CURRENT INCREASES…BLUEGILL BITE OKAY/POST-SPAWN CRAPPIE SHOWING UP AS BASS MOVE OFF BANKS
Severe thunderstorms dropped a lot of rain this week around the Kentucky/Tennessee border region of Kentucky Lake, sending fisherman and recreational boaters back to shore in search of shelter several days. It has been a topsy-turvy weather pattern as of late but some anglers are still riding it out and finding fish.
Lake levels this week have stayed around the normal summer pool level of 359 but watch for some fluctuation as the reservoir may see some rising levels in the aftermath of repeated storms. Surface temperatures are in the 73 to 75 degree range. Dingy water color has entered the picture in some areas due to runoff.
The catfish bite has shown a surge in activity the last week or two with additional current out along the main Tennessee River channel. That increased flow as TVA has pushed a lot of water through the system stimulated the bite and anglers responded quickly. Nice stringers have been taken the last two weeks out on the channel areas as anglers used mostly nightcrawlers for bait and worked the 30 to 40 foot depth range. With moving water comes more bait fish activity so that has been the kicker. Some catfish are still lingering around shallow shorelines as bluegill fishermen are tying into one now and then while fishing bream beds.
Bluegill have been biting pretty good and some bedding phases were still underway but the bite seem to diminish a bit this past week compared to the previous week. Still plenty out there to be caught but it’s not unusual to see them begin to leave some bedding areas as late May rolls around.
TWRA Kentucky Lake creel clerk Michael Parker called me earlier this week reporting sightings of early mayfly hatches up the Big Sandy. Normally the big hatches don’t show up until the second week or so of June. Not many shellcracker have been taken lately as their peak spawning has already occurred back in April and early May. Still a few hanging around but scattered.
Post spawn crappie have been hitting for some anglers who target mid-range depths of 9 to 15 feet. Some fish were reported taken even deeper. They scatter somewhat but can still be taken by accomplished anglers finding structure in mid-range areas and willing to make a lot of stops.
Bass fishermen are not only finding a few fish lingering along shoreline habitat but some have backed off the banks and now favoring the secondary humps and sloping ledges in main lake sectors. Tossing a crank bait has been popular as anglers attempt to cover a lot of water in their quest to locate main lake fish. Texas rigged craws and worms have worked too as have Carolina rigs and swim baits.
At the same time the ledge bite improves there will also be increased activity along river island rims and shoreline treetops where schools of pin minnows will soon begin to show up. The massive hatch of shad fry schools really lure bass to buck bushes, weed beds and treelaps where tossing spinner baits and Texas rigged worms will produce. Find the bait fish schools and you’ll find some bass activity.
Although spring is still the official season Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene slowly begins to transcend toward summer patterns as surface temps rise.
09 May 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
RISING LAKE LEVELS REQUIRE BOATERS TO USE CAUTION
Boaters are urged to use caution across Kentucky Lake right now as vast amounts of floating debris can interfere with pleasure craft and fast traveling bass boats. In the aftermath of heavy thunderstorms and tornadoes that swept across the region Wednesday, dropping lots of rain that swelled streams, Kentucky Lake is now on a rapid rise. Lake levels are coming up quickly and TVA is projecting the reservoir will jump to the 361.6 elevation—which is 2 ½ feet above normal summer pool—by the weekend. It could go even higher. Logs and snags had washed offshore and were hiding in the open water areas. Sometimes they were barely visible above the surface. That’s a recipe for danger.
While nice weather with lower humidity has entered the picture now, changing lake levels will no doubt alter the fishing scene to some degree. Bass fishermen now have ample shoreline buck bushes and willow trees which have been inundated in the high water. They can pitch and flip a Texas rigged craw or lizard to their desires. Spinnerbaits will help cover a lot of water too in the angler’s quest to find roaming bass. There’s always a few boats checking out the secondary humps and sandbars, but rising water may not be a friend to that pattern right now. It could rebound quickly once TVA starts pulling water which will add current to the main lake bass fishing scene.
The bluegill bite, which has been quite good lately, will continue to hold up but no doubt the fish will move up into shallow shoreline habitat as they follow the new water. Bluegill and shellcracker thrive on freshly flooded grass beds and aquatic wonderlands now at their disposal. Bedding has been underway but sometimes the cooler weather coinciding with rising lake levels will alter the whereabouts of the bedding bluegill and shellcracker. Watch for bedding areas around visible bushes and trees to offer new areas to scout out.
Watercolor was stained in the back of many bays since the storms at midweek but that will clear rapidly as the rising water pushes the dingy color back. Surface temperatures are in the 72-to-74-degree range. Main lake areas had pockets of clear water as did a few large bays.
Catfish responded favorably to the rising lake levels and really made a blitz toward little pockets off the main lake area. The catfish are on the prowl and have already started moving up on shallow shorelines even more since the rising lake pulled them to shallow venues in search of food and spawning spots. Rocky banks will continue to attract spawning catfish. It should be good for the next week or two.
Already in post-spawn were crappie that had scattered somewhat in midrange depths of 8 to 13 feet. Anglers can add another 2 or 3 feet to those depths since the lake is coming up. A few crappie were holding in main lake flats and bays as anglers fished jigs and some live minnows around deeper structures. Odds are the crappie will scatter even more in the days ahead or at least until the reservoir reaches a crest.
The longer the lake stays high the more fish will roam and scatter about. Fresh water entering the reservoir and inundating shoreline habitat always brings fish to the shallows for new feeding areas but it’s sometimes tough for fishermen to establish a pattern.
In summary, anglers are waking up to a new lake each day when rapidly changing lake stages occur. The honeymoon with stability of fishing conditions, weather and lake levels was a short one! Watch for things to settle down soon but for now the lake is changing and anglers must learn to change with it!
02 May 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
MAY FISHING SCENE HEATS UP FOR VARIETY OF ANGLERS
Catfish are on the prowl. Bluegill and shellcracker are spawning and on the beds. Bass activity has held up well too. Crappie are in post-spawn phase but still biting. Once May arrives the fishing scene heats up across Kentucky Lake for a wide variety of fishermen. Just about everyone can find a species or technique that fits their fancy.
After a strange spring full of windy weather, the fishing scene has stabilized somewhat as to lake levels and overall fishing conditions. Dodging a few thunderstorms at times is part of warm days in May but it’s usually a brief inconvenience. Lake levels this week were staying around normal summer pool elevation of 359. Watercolor is clear. Surface temps have warmed to the 70–73-degree range and will likely rise another degree or two at midday.
Bluegill and shellcracker are hitting good. Bluegill are bedding and the bite should hold up throughout May and into early June. The next full moon phase arrives May 23 which should signal a surge in spawning activity. The full moon back in the third week of April really kick started the powerful panfish bite a bit early and it has held up well. Most are using crickets, but wax worms and red worms have been producing too.
Catfish are up on shallow shorelines and on the prowl. Several bluegill anglers casting toward shallow shorelines have tied into them this week as they fish light tackle. Watch for the bite to be on for the next couple of weeks as the fish seek out rocky banks and crevices for spawning. Rip rap shorelines and levees will be good spots as well.
Although crappie are now in their post-spawn phase some decent stringers are still coming in. Anglers are having to make several stops to accumulate decent stringers, but it hasn’t been bad. Most of the crappie are coming from 9 to 14 feet but a few have already pulled back deeper and suspended in the 14 foot and deeper range.
Bass have been relating to weed beds and just outside of buck brush shorelines. A few have been taken in some deeper bushes, but most are just a bit off shorelines moving up in the early morning and late afternoon lowlight conditions. Tossing a Texas rigged green pumpkin pepper colored craw or lizard has worked well. Spinnerbaits and some floating worms are producing too as have some topwater jerk baits.
Some boats are already pulling out and hitting secondary humps and sloping sandbars as the post-spawn bass slowly pull away from the banks. With higher surface temperatures more bass will continue to filter back out toward deeper water. On the humps and deeper sandbars anglers are tossing Carolina rigged craws and worms plus big deep diving crankbaits, Texas rigged worms and some swimbaits or even twister tail grubs fished on lead heads.
A few nice smallmouth have been taken this spring by anglers backing off the banks and targeting deeper water. May across Kentucky Lake offers great fishing for several different species.
25 April 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
BLUEGILL/REDEAR BITE UNDERWAY…. CATFISH ON THE WAY
When a full moon in April coincides with warming surface temperatures and rising lake levels the battle with bluegill and shellcracker begins. That’s what’s been happening the last week, or two along shallow pockets and shorelines of Kentucky Lake where weed beds attracted early spawning panfish in big numbers.
Actually, the third week of April is a bit early for active spawning phases to kick in for bluegill but the redear sunfish (shellcracker) are known to kick off the race a bite early. Despite the continuation of unruly winds and some chilly mornings the bite has been good and seemed to improve by midday once the sun warmed things up.
Working well have been meal or wax worms plus red worms. It has been so cold as of late most bait shops had not even begun to stock crickets when the early bite began. That’s all changed now. All systems are on go for the popular panfish who begin active spawning phases in late April (depending on weather and surface temps) and often do well through late May and into early June at times.
Anglers should have some good fishing in the weeks ahead as these aggressive panfish really turn on and provide a thrill to anglers of all ages. It’s a great time to introduce anyone to fishing but especially youngsters wetting a hook for the first time. From gravel banks to pockets off the main lake where weeds mix with various shoreline habitat is where you’ll find their crater shaped beds. The fish fan out little “pie-plate” shaped craters where they deposit eggs. The dark olive drab-colored ones are the males; females will display a pale-yellow appearance. Grab some terminal tackle and head to the lake. The show is underway. Disappearing bobbers never go out of style!
Kentucky Lake’s elevation reached summer pool ahead of schedule this spring and was 359.2 at midweek. Water color is clear. Surface temps are in the 66-to-68-degree range. Normal summer pool level is 359 so the reservoir is not only early (May 1 is TVA’s target date for summer pool elevation) but a bit above normal at present.
Crappie across Kentucky Lake are entering their post spawn phase and have started to scatter a bit for most anglers, but decent stringers are still coming in. Around the Paris Landing sector most of the crappie have been taken in the 9-to-13-foot depth range. Not a lot of fish have moved up to shallow shoreline structure or shallow spawning spots. Seems the clear water has kept a lot of fish spawning out away from shoreline structure. Up Big Sandy there were several fish taken in 2-to-5-foot depths the last couple of weeks. Seems the upper Big Sandy basin always has some crappie moving up to shallow venues earlier that the rest of the region. Odds are it warms quicker plus is known for dingy watercolor at times.
Cat fishermen are armed and loaded, waiting on ole’ whiskers to move up to the rocky banks and begin spawning phases. That’s about to hit high gear as once surface temps reach the low 70’s they really go on the prowl. Best get the nightcrawler bucket and heavy catfish poles ready. They’re on the threshold.
Bass fishermen have been banging away at the banks and fan casting weed beds with spinnerbaits, Texas rigged craws and worms, floating worms, jig and pig combos and some topwater at times. Other patterns have boats backing off the banks and targeting humps and shell bed sand bars in their quest for smallmouth.
Watch for more shoreline activity to kick in for most all species as rising water levels coincide with rising surface temperatures in the days and weeks ahead. Some great fishing opportunities await you here as the spring transition continues and warmer days enter the picture.
17 April 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
LAKE LEVELS, WIND AND STORMS ADDING UP TO STUBBORN SPRING
Anglers have juggled a variety of unstable conditions this past week in their quest to find spawning crappie and bass. Some redear sunfish (shellcracker) and bluegill have entered the picture too as surface temps rise. Last weekend Kentucky Lake reached the summer pool mark of 359 at Kentucky Dam—some two weeks early—for a day or two only to fall back a few inches. As of this update the reservoir was resting around the 358.6 elevation.
Watercolor is clear across most of the reservoir. High winds are still a thorn in the side of fishermen. Water levels are always of concern to anglers and all lake users for that matter but especially during peak spawning phases of crappie. Once surface temperatures reach the 62-to-66-degree range it signals the active spawning range of crappie and bass aren’t far behind.
Normal summer pool level isn’t supposed to arrive here until May 1 according to TVA’s annual curve, but lake levels have not followed the usual stair-step climb this spring. TVA’s curve starts reservoir filling on April 1 where lake levels are normally at the low ebb of winter pool (354). From there is reservoir is supposed to climb slowly until it reaches its target of summer pool on or around May 1.
This spring the lake has fluctuated and jumped around a bit as it has been above normal since early April. That throws off fishing patterns to some degree. Some folks like higher water early; others prefer TVA stick to its normal projections, slowly bringing up the lake on a gradual basis. Rainfall across the region sometimes falls in drastic amounts and upsets the apple cart, swelling Kentucky Lake ahead of normal. When that happens rising waters send a lot of floating debris about the lake, a scenario which scatters fish and the fishermen trying to find them.
Such as been the case this week. Some bass and crappie anglers were hoping to see the lake stay high at summer pool and inundate shoreline buck bushes, weed beds and all sorts of habitat. They love fishing visible stickups. Since last week more crappie have moved up and while a few anglers found some crappie attempting to spawn in shallow areas there were scores of fishermen finding the bite challenging. The fish have been scattered and roaming.
No sooner had the reservoir reached the summer pool mark last weekend TVA began pulling the water back down toward its curve. The agency is creating more storage capacity pulling the lake down a bit here in mid-April as heavy rains could occur at any time. Meanwhile, the fishing scene has continued to evolve each week. Some crappie moved up to shallow flats in the upper Big Sandy and West Sandy last week and were taken in 2-to-4-foot depths at times. Down toward the Paris Landing sector most boats were targeting somewhat deeper depths and finding fish in the 7-to-13-foot depth range.
Successful techniques ranged from vertical jig presentations over shallow stumps and manmade fish attractors such as stake beds and brush piles to spider rigs pushed slowly out over flats where scattered crappie were staging. The buffet bait presentation was working pretty good for some folks. Trolling curly tail grubs, Road Runners and some crankbaits has paid dividends too. Some fish have been suspended and not relating tight to structure at times, a byproduct of changing lake stages and stubborn spring weather.
Generally speaking, it has been tough for most anglers to witness a distinctive blitz by the crappie towards shallow structure. Usually, they stage and dart toward cover where they deposit their eggs. Several females were still holding eggs at midweek.
Entering the picture as of last week were some hefty bluegill and redear sunfish (shellcracker) tagging the jigs of crappie fishermen as they worked midrange to shallow crappie beds. Bluegill are not on the bed yet but headed in that direction. Shellcracker usually hit the banks prior to the bluegill’s arrival. Watch for activity to increase for both those species in the next few weeks. Peak bluegill spawning usually begins in early May, but the timetable can get pushed up if warmer surface temps (70-degree range) arrive early. Shellcracker are on the verge of their early spawning phase as some big females have been taken lately and they’re bloated with eggs.
Bass anglers are banging away at the banks and finding the bite decent around shoreline grass. Still not quite enough water on the buck bushes just yet but bass are up around shallow pockets and grass enjoying the warmer surface temps in their prespawn phase. Tossing a Texas rigged craw or lizard has been productive as have floating fluke style worms. Some topwater jerk baits have worked too as have spinnerbaits and buzz baits.
There are some boaters backing off the banks and fishing secondary humps and ledges with Carolina and Texas rigged worms, swim baits and deep diving crankbaits too. Kentucky Lake always has a variety of patterns and depths producing at the same time. As surface temps heat up more shallow shoreline fishing will enter the equation, especially for bass, bluegill and redear sunfish.
Best start mending the terminal tackle and light spinning rigs. Those powerful panfish are about to hit active spawning phases and the catfish are on the prowl too. Soon rocky banks will attract catfish to spawning spots so that’s fast approaching.
11 April 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
CRAZY SPRING CONTINUES…UNSTABLE CONDITIONS FOR ANGLERS
Stability has not been in the cards for fishermen this spring. Anglers have battled the weather roller coaster for weeks now and this past week was no exception. One day warm and sunny and the bite was on for crappie: then several back-to-back days of wind, rain and some thunderstorms. Fishermen are wondering if an extended stretch of nice weather and light winds will ever get here and stay here!
Lake levels have fluctuated the last couple of weeks and have been above TVA’s normal curve as to management of the reservoir. The last week or so it was a bit high with a reading of 358 elevation at Kentucky Dam but fell several inches down to the 357.4 range for a day or two only to start another climb right back up in the aftermath of heavy rains at midweek. Surface temperature have been in the 63-degree range. That will rise in sunny days ahead. Watercolor is clear. The rising lake has again been inundated with floating debris. Lot of sticks and logs floating off the shorelines, so boaters need to be aware of floating objects.
The spawn has been underway this week, but it has been a bit tricky for anglers as to the specific whereabouts of slabs. Fish have been scattered. That’s not unusual when lake levels are yo-yoing, and weather patterns are weird. Some hefty crappie eclipsing the 2-pound range have been taken with a few knocking on the 3-pound threshold. At midweek big females were still sporting eggs but active spawning phases should occur in the next few days.
Looks like sunny days and rising temperatures are in the forecast at least until midweek. Daytime highs will be in the upper 70’s and low 80’s! The crappie bite has been fair for those vertical fishing jigs over manmade fish attractors in the 7-to-13-foot depth range. Most boaters indicate it is taking several stops to accumulate a limit. Other techniques such as long lining jigs and some crankbaits has worked too. Spider rig techniques are paying dividends as well as anglers slowly push jig and minnow poles over midrange depths with some moving to the upper ends of bays trying the 4-to-6-foot depths.
With rising lake levels anglers are having to move about. Many are asking if the shoreline buck bushes and willow trees will be the place to try in the days ahead if the reservoir jumps to summer pool ahead of schedule? That could very well happen. Anglers are keeping a close eye on lake levels.
Bass fishermen have scored some success while stalking the weedy shorelines lately. Those patches of yellow flowers are holding fish and are always a great location in early spring. Tossing Texas rigged craws, lizards, worms and floating fluke style worms are quite popular right now. Spinnerbaits are working too as are some buzz baits and jerk baits as the topwater bite is underway in the clear water. Bottom line is that anglers are waking up to a different lake every few days when the elevation changes. Watch for a lot of transition in fish activity the next few days as more fish follow the rise and head toward shallow shorelines.
Bluegill and shellcracker have already been biting too. Shellcracker will hit the shallow weeds and begin early spawning phases before the bluegill. Peak time isn’t here yet but it’s drawing closer as surface temps rise.
Crappie anglers fishing shallow to midrange depths lately have encountered several bluegill and shellcracker (redear sunfish) nipping at their jigs. Some big female shellcracker weighing in the 1 ½-pound range have been taken lately!
It has been a strange spring. Things happen fast once the surface temps reach the mid 60’s. Hang in there as sooner or later the weather, lake levels and fish will begin playing by the rules!
20 March 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
CRAPPIE SPAWNING PHASES ADVANCE…BASS ON GRAVEL BANKS
Spring on Kentucky Lake is a special time of year in more ways than one. It signals the arrival of the annual spawning phase of the area’s most popular panfish. Crappie are on the doorstep of active spawning phases. What’s needed now is a long stretch of mild warm weather with some light winds to accommodate anglers. Once surface temperatures reach the 62-to-66-degree range crappie will spawn here on shallow flats and back in some of the larger bays, which warm a bit quicker than main lake areas.
Several nice stringers continue to be caught by anglers using a variety of techniques as the fish stair-step their way up toward spawning territory. A lot of credit is going to anglers long lining Road Runner style jigs around the 12-to-14-foot depths. A few boats are trolling crankbaits out over midrange depths in main lake areas lately too. Others are casting jigs and doing quite well while a few boats are vertical fishing jig and minnow rigs over manmade fish attractors such as stake beds and brush piles.
When spring officially arrived back on March 19th the first few days of the new season delivered frigid temps reminiscent of winter mornings. However, it didn’t take long for normal weather to rebound but then again, what’s normal for March? Fishermen have battled unruly winds lately with an occasional shower or two. That’s vintage March. Some days cold and some warm; some windy and some calm. One never knows. Yet the lake has given up some hefty stringers throughout March and the fish are on the move and moving up daily.
Surface temperatures continue to gradually climb toward the low to mid 60’s. Not there yet but headed there fast. Male crappie have already moved up ahead of the females toward somewhat shallow areas. A clear indication the spawn is nearing are the color phases of male crappie. They’re already showing hormonal changes with their darkening purple and black appearance.
Each passing day will see more crappie move up to the 5-to-10-foot depth range, although all the fish don’t leave deeper venues at the same time. Even when the peak of spawn is underway there’s always a few fishermen dragging some out of deep water. Meanwhile, lake levels have been rising this past week. The lake rose to levels of 356.8 range in the aftermath of heavy rains across the region. That’s about two feet or so above the normal level for the third week of March.
Odds are lake levels will fall a bit these next few days. Normally from the low ebb of winter pool range of the 354 level TVA begins a slow but gradual rise of the reservoir beginning April 1 each year. The normal curve sees the lake rise to summer pool level of 359 on or around May 1 each spring. Sometimes if the lake is a bit above the low ebb in late March (like it is now) TVA will hold that water. Other times they release it in order to create more storage capacity in the event heavy rains should occur. It’s sort of a guessing game for fishermen this time of year. Most don’t like to see lake levels falling as the crappie spawn nears. Anglers prefer to see a slow gradual rise. Fishermen just don’t like drastic changes that sometimes occur overnight during early unpredictable spring weather.
Both cold fronts and heavy rains can upset the timetable. Such changes can upset the applecart of both the fish and fishermen. Fishing patterns can literally change overnight. Dramatic drops in surface temperatures in a short time result in negative mood swings of crappie on the verge of dropping their eggs. Sometimes the fish back off and put the brakes on, backing away from shallow spawning habitat and suspending out deeper as they ride out cold fronts. Other times quick rising lake levels scatter the fish, making it tough for anglers to establish a pattern as to depth and location when fish are roaming. Lots of variables. It’s all part of the spring fishing scene.
Right now, fish should continue on their path toward spawning spots. While a lot of fish have been taken lately by anglers slow trolling out over midrange depths where fish are staging, a blitz toward structure should continue to occur the next week or two. Although some anglers have taken decent numbers as they vertical fished jigs over stake beds and brush piles there are several reports coming in from anglers observing fish on their Livescope sonar units that are roaming. Those anglers have been catching decent numbers as they cast jigs toward fish, they see on their sonar units.
Meanwhile, it’s high time some bank fishermen started picking up crappie around gravel and rocky banks. Shorelines give up a lot of crappie at times when fish are searching for habitat.
Bass fishermen are reporting more fish moving up on rocky points and shallow pea gravel shorelines. They too are in prespawn phase, and some hefty females bloated with eggs have been caught recently by anglers tossing crankbaits. March is a crankbait month here as so many gravel and big chunk rock banks appeal to prespawn bass. Stickups are holding some bass too and shallow exposed crappie beds are holding bass as a few reports from anglers tossing spinnerbaits, jig and craw combos and even Texas rigged craws and lizards have produced. Patterns are changing daily as fish are on the move and surface temps warm.
14 March 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
SPRING HAS ALMOST SPRUNG ON KENTUCKY LAKE
Time to turn the page. Spring officially arrive Tuesday despite chilly temps that sort of want to hang around. Best not trade in the coveralls on a screen door just yet; March is still in charge. Sometimes she’s an unpredictable month; known for her Ides that blow the treetops sideways with a howl while also blowing the cap off your head.
Fishermen can’t complain much as the last few weeks have delivered a dose of early spring weather. Trees are screaming spring with all their budding displays and until the last few days it has been short sleeve shirt temps. It’s fair to say the weather roller coaster has a few more thrills left. Sometimes even early April can deliver surprises.
Kentucky Lake’s late winter and early spring fishing scene has been mostly kind to bass and crappie anglers. For weeks now fishermen have been out in force, often picking their days and soaking up warm sunny conditions when tolerable winds allowed pleasant outings. Crappie fishermen are logging some nice stringers and they already had a nice start before spring arrived on the calendar.
Surface temps this week have climbed to the 57-degree range. Actually, there was a day or two when readings were higher than that back in shallow bays. A couple of recent cool snaps sort of put the brakes on the rapid warm up that was underway. Lake levels are up slightly from last week and were dancing around the 354.8 range at Kentucky Dam this week. Watercolor remains clear across the reservoir.
TVA’s curve for reservoir management has Kentucky Lake staying at the low ebb of winter pool—around the 354-elevation range—until April 1 when filling begins. The curve allows the reservoir to slowly rise to summer pool elevation of 359 on or around May 1 each year. All the lake level predictions are always subject to heavy rainfall so there are several variables in the equation each spring. Right now, things are pretty much on schedule.
Most of the nice stringers of crappie are coming from midrange depths of 9 to 13 feet but there are other depths giving up fish too. As surface temps warm more movement takes place as both crappie and bass are on the threshold of migrating toward spawning spots.
Once surface temps warm into the 62-to-66-degree range active spawning phases for crappie kick in. Some bass are known to start around that range too of not earlier. Smallmouth have a reputation of spawning sooner than largemouth. Bottom line is Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene, while still in prespawn phases, is about to kick into high gear.
Each spring male crappie move into shallow areas somewhat ahead of the females and while on the magic march their pigmentation begins to turn darker. Due to hormonal changes male crappie take on that beautiful purple or dark shade as active spawning phase arrives, which for us on Kentucky Lake has traditionally been the first two weeks of April. Weather conditions can alter the timetable.
In times past I’ve seen active spawning phases for bass and crappie kick in the last week of March. That’s somewhat unusual but an extended spell of warm weather delivers rising surface temperatures which accelerate the biological clock. Then there are times when fish have moved up shallow and right on the doorstep of spawning only to have drastic cold fronts descend and upset the apple cart. Fishermen really grit their teeth when that happens, often threatening to take the weather forecasters off their Christmas list!
Both overnight cold fronts and flooding conditions greatly alter the fishing scene when they show up uninvited to the party. Rapidly rising lake stages tend to scatter fish, making it tough for anglers to establish a pattern. Cold fronts are detrimental too. Quick changes in surface temperatures confuse spawning crappie. Often times egg laden females will back off the banks away from spawning habitat and suspend, opting to ride things out instead of dropping their eggs under adverse conditions. Stability of weather accompanied by a slow or gradual rise in lake levels has proven to be the best combination for spawning and fishing here on the big pond.
Meanwhile, dandy stringers are being taken as fish continue to move up and stage in midrange depths. Once surface temps reach the spawning range of 62 to 66 degree the fish will make a blitz toward spawning structure. Just how shallow crappie and bass venture toward shorelines has a lot to do watercolor (turbidity) too. Dingy or stained water seems to warm a bit faster, and it lures the fish to shallower depths for spawning.
A few old timers on Kentucky Lake recall fond memories of fishing the buck bushes and other shoreline habitat when muddy waters brought the fish right up on the shorelines to spawn. Dingy water filtered out sunlight, so the fish headed to shallow areas to find their comfort zones. While some of that still occurs at times here, the lion’s share of crappie nowadays choose to spawn out away from shorelines in the 5 to 10-foot depth range. Manmade fish attractors such as stake beds and brush piles or natural stump fields can fulfill most of that need.
In future articles I’ll talk more about specifics and how the reservoir has changed over the years. Meanwhile, already producing are a variety of techniques as fish continue to stair-step their way toward spawning zones. This week success stories have come in from boats long lining Road Runners and twister tail grubs out over main lake ledges and flat in 10-to-14-foot depths.
Those slow-moving spider rig style presentations are producing too. Anglers experiment with color combinations and push a buffet of baits out over suspended crappie staging in la-la land filling coolers in the process. Vertical presentations of tube and hair jigs always work great as anglers locate structure on their sophisticated sonar units and cherry pick the fish relating tight to cover.
Not to be forgotten are the light tackle guys who sometimes back off and cast jigs or minnows toward shallow venues or out over submerged structure. They too scored hefty stringers at times. Kentucky Lake has always offered a variety of depths and patterns that pay dividends at the same time. That’s one of the many reasons we’ve got a great fishing lake!!!
27 Feb 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
WILL IT BE AN EARLY SPRING FOR FISHERMEN?
Dominating the conversation among the ranks of Kentucky Lake anglers is the arrival of spring. It doesn’t official arrive until March 19th this year. However, anglers everywhere are swapping theories about their idea of an early arrival. The general consensus favors it arriving ahead of schedule. Imagine that!
Hard to argue with all the warm days we’ve been having. Already signs point to an early spring as crappie have been biting. Flowers are blooming. Birds are whistling. Wise are the anglers who hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Never discard your coat and coveralls until about mid-April around these parts of the country. Best keep the sunscreen, overcoat, gloves, raingear, coveralls and the whole nine yards within arm’s reach. March can be a nice month, but it also has a mean streak. Not only can the temperature roller coaster swing up and down but the big silver gorilla in the room for fishermen is the wind.
With quick warm-ups this time of year often come gale winds. Southern breezes are nice and deliver warm temperatures, but gale winds are no friend to fishermen. Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene had another mixture of conditions this past week. Unseasonably warm weather saw temps climb near record highs. A couple days the mercury rose to 76 degrees. Normal daytime highs are around the 52 degree mark this time of year. Surface temperatures are dancing around the 52-degree range. Watercolor is clear.
Lake levels are down near the low ebb of winter pool with readings at Kentucky Dam falling to the 354.3 mark lately. TVA has the reservoir down to create more storage capacity in the event heavy rains or storms return, which was in the forecast as this report was formulated.
Decent stringers of crappie continue to come in from anglers targeting the 12 to 15-foot depth range where submerged structure can be located. However, there are some anglers finding a few fish in 8 to 11 feet in places with a few taken in depths less than that. Seems there’s always a wide variety of depths and techniques paying off this time of year. While a few boats credit their luck to spider rig presentation of multi-pole buffets of jigs trolled slowly over main lake flats and ledges there are others opting to cast jigs over brush piles and stake beds in midrange depths.
Still producing are vertical presentations of jigs and live minnow rigs out over main lake structure. A few fish have been taken on the deep sides of main lake ledges at times where structure in the 17-to-20-foot depth range yielded several bites. Lake levels have been falling slowly this past week and that sometimes pulls crappie back closer to deeper comfort zones as they move about and follow the schools of shad.
Not to be overlooked are a few anglers choosing to cast slip bobber style rigs armed with live minnows or the tube jigs color combo of their choice. Slowly retrieving the jig or minnow out over submerged structure or even in some open water areas can pay dividends. Slip bobber rigs make it easy to recognize light strikes while easily adjusting depth. Finicky crappie often want it their way or no way!
Watch more crappie to continue to slowly move up to shallow areas and back into bays these next couple of weeks as surface temps warm. It’s still the prespawn phase for crappie on Kentucky Lake but things can change quickly in March once warm days descend and waters warm, stimulating their biological clock.
Bass fishermen are still finding some nice smallmouth, especially on the east side of the lake. Lots of deep gravel banks and sloping gravel sandbars are located there and the bronze backs will soon be making a spawning move. Tossing crankbaits always seems to work throughout March. Anglers can cover a lot of water chunking and winding with this presentation. It often requires experimentation on color choices whether fishing crankbaits, hair jigs, twister tail grubs or whatever finesse baits one likes to toss.
Carolina rigs worked on shallow flats can produce finicky largemouth right now too. At the same time tossing a jig and pig combo and working it slowly on big chunk rock banks can be quite productive. As spring draws closer best batten down the hatches as anglers will encounter some windy days sandwiched in-between some warm nice ones where light and variable winds offer pleasant outings on the lake.
Spring on Kentucky Lake (and elsewhere too) is unpredictable. Always has been always will be!
15 Feb 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
MIXTURE OF WEATHER GREETS ANGLERS
Kentucky Lake’s winter fishermen have been riding that weather roller coaster again. One day cold; next day warm. Then there’s sometimes snow. Sometimes rain. Some days are windy while others are calm. February is a month (and so is March) with a wide variety of weather patterns.
Best not hide the overcoat and coveralls too deep in the closet just yet. Both February and March are known to deliver a little dab of winter and spring weather, which sometimes packs a punch. This past week was a prime example, starting off with a winter chill but ending with a touch of spring. Fishermen all over the Kentucky Lake area have spring fever.
Lake levels had risen last week some two feet or so in the aftermath of heavy rains, but the reservoir crested quickly and has been falling slowly. Elevation this week was around the 356.2 range. Normal winter pool is around the 354 range.
Watercolor remains clear. Surface temperatures had warmed to the upper 40’s but cold nights have an influence. Warmer days are in the forecast so surface temps will likely cross the 50-degree range soon.
Scores of anglers have been testing the waters whenever the wind allows them to venture out. Pretty good stringers of crappie have been taken by a few anglers too. Some are crediting their catches to 16-to-19-foot main lake ledges while others have managed to find a few fish moving up to midrange stake beds and brush piles in 9 to 12 feet.
A few bank fishermen always seem to score this time of the year at places like Springville pumphouse. The discharge area adjacent to the launch ramp sometimes stirs up a lot of shad and when it does the bite is on. Most fishermen there like to cast a slip bobber out around the discharge spot where current is flowing from the pumps out into the main lake area. Beneath their slip bobbers are usually assorted colors of jigs but some like to try a live minnow now and then
The spot has always been a favorite for shoreline fishermen in late winter and early spring. There’s even a few fishermen who enjoy night fishing there as they toss lighted bobbers out which alert them to strikes.
Meanwhile, down around the Paris Landing sector most boaters are targeting main lake ledges. Some rely heavily on modern day sonar equipment and depend on their electronics to take them to the fish. Deeper manmade fish attractors are holding fish at present. Vertical fishing techniques are the most popular as anglers dangle their favorite-colored jig down around submerged structure on the deep sides of drop-offs. Others go to brush and stake beds they’ve placed out in the main lake venues.
Other techniques are producing such as casting jigs out over structure. Trolling spider rigs has worked too as those slow-moving bait buffets usually produce if you find the right depth range.
Late February and early March are still in the prespawn phase of fishing but by mid-March crappie begin stair stepping their way toward shallow flats and venturing toward big bays where spawning territory is nearby.
A few bass have been taken by anglers tossing crawfish and shad-colored crankbaits plus some pearl and white swim baits. Carolina rigs have accounted for a few bass too as the fish like that slow moving retrieve.
Spring weather has stimulated fishing pox. The only cure is to go fishing!
08 Feb 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
FEBRUARY FISHING RESPONDING WELL TO MILD WEATHER
Kentucky Lake’s February fishing scene is holding up well as mild temperatures have really put pep in the step of fishermen lately. Spring fever is already stirring up lots of interest right here in the dead of winter.
Lake levels this week have danced around the 355-elevation range at Kentucky Dam and elsewhere on the reservoir. After a slight rise last week, the lake sort of stabilized a few days but as always rainfall will deal the cards in the days ahead. Surface temperatures have been in the 45-degree range but will warm more if mild days continue to hang around. Watercolor is clear.
Crappie have been taken by anglers stalking structure in the 9-to-14-foot depth range. Some reports from West Sandy and upper Big Sandy indicated a few fish were taken in 6-to-9-foot depths. As always down around the Paris Landing sector some anglers hitting the open water areas at the mouth of Big Sandy are finding a few fish deeper. Depths of 16 to 20 feet were giving up a few fish as deeper brush piles were appealing to some fish.
Most of the success seems to be from the midrange depths where anglers are tightlining jigs. Some credited their catch to live minnows too. Mixed reports have come in from a variety of techniques paying dividends such as spider rigging, casting jigs, vertical presentations of both jigs and minnows and some bottom bumping methods.
A few bass fishermen were venturing out and testing the water too. Some were tossing crankbaits and jig/pig combos. Others were casting Carolina rigs and fishing a slow presentation around gravel and rock banks and bluffs.
February has a reputation as an iffy month for fishing. A mixture of weather is likely and at times it can tease fishermen into thinking an early spring is on the threshold only to slap them in the face with a winter cold front. Lately we’ve had a dose of warm weather once the January thaw occurred. However, enjoy the nice weather while it’s here as drastic changes can occur from week to week.
Pick the nice days with light winds if your schedule allows. Dodge the cold windy ones. Be prepared for a multitude of weather!
24 Jan 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
ANGLERS RETURN TO ACTIVE-DUTY STATUS
In the aftermath of the glacier-like weather that interrupted the winter fishing scene—and about everything else—earlier this month anglers are slowly emerging from hibernation. Kentucky Lake’s winter fishing band of dedicated anglers sort of decreased in active membership during the bitter cold, snowy and icy weather. Understandably so.
Hopefully frozen back water bays and ice-covered boat ramps that were either locked up by the ice or too slick to even consider backing down to launch a boat have now thawed and opened up for business.
Crappie anglers have been easing back out on the water this past week, testing the open water areas where deep drop-offs and perhaps some manmade fish attractors in the form of brush piles and stake beds might be holding fish. Most boaters are targeting the deeper sides of ledges or hitting those deep brush piles in depths of 14 to 25 feet. Some of the deeper areas should be holding crappie but it’s sort of trial and error at present as to the productive depth range.
TVA had pulled lake levels down to a low 354.5 as this report was updated. However, several consecutive days of rain have entered the picture so water for elevation on Kentucky Lake to fluctuate throughout this time frame. Sometimes those crappie school in deep water during this period as they occupy the deep confines of the lake in pursuit of shad. Shad go deep as they have little tolerance for quick drops in surface temperatures.
Tightlining a jig or live minnow around that deep structure can produce dividends. Anglers willing to tolerate the cold temps can land some good stringers if the winds stay calm and allow boaters to move about. During the peak of the bitter weather recently a large portion of West Sandy was iced over. So were portions of the Big Sandy all the way down north of the power lines. Some larger bays such as Eagle, Swamp and Little Sulphur were locked up as well.
Not too often do we see large areas of Kentucky Lake locked up with ice but when we get extended spells of single digit temps that last over a week it does happen even on the big pond. Icing here in the main lake areas has a lot to do with lake levels plus wind and current.
If lake levels are a foot or two above the low ebb of winter pool, then it decreases the likely hood of ice forming in main lake areas. During bitter cold periods wind and a little flow will keep the main lake areas from freezing over. However, once extended spells of brutal cold wear out their welcome and stay too long ice enters the picture. You won’t see it too often but about every ten years or so we get a real doozy of cold conditions that change the whole picture.
While we’ve got a lot of winter still left on the calendar, anglers are keeping their fingers crossed frigid temps stay to our north. Most everyone has had their fill of nasty weather for a while but don’t bury that overcoat and coveralls too deep in the closet.
Both February and March have a reputation of being unpredictable. One day nice weather and mild temps with light winds stirs up spring fever; next day it’s back to the woodshed to get more logs to toss on the fire! You know how it goes around these parts!
18 Jan 2024
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
WEATHER ROLLER COASTER FOR KENTUCKY LAKE ANGLERS
Frigid weather has dealt the cards to the winter fishing scene for Kentucky Lake anglers this week. Anglers had a mean hand to play as single digit temperatures curtailed fishing for most.
Not only was ice forming in backwater bays, but it locked up several launch ramps, denying access to even die-hard fishermen and duck hunters hoping to venture out and test the elements.
Ice-covered boat ramps were dangerous. It was an excellent place to jack-knife trailers, damage both trailer and boats, not to mention vehicles towing them. The fool catcher was out just waiting for opportunity.
Not to worry for too long and warm weather is in the forecast for next week as the Jan 22-27 period approaching looks to be the return of decent winter fishing weather. Temps will rebound back to normal, which is well above the freezing mark.
That should return opportunity to winter crappie anglers who have been suffering from cabin fever lately. Looks like bright days are on the horizon as boaters can return to launch ramps and their favorite fishing holes without having to battle snow, ice and bone chilling winds.
Whether or not the fish respond favorably is a wait and see approach. Odds are a shad kill could be in the picture after such cold surface temperatures descended on the Kentucky Lake region.
Anglers will be targeting deep main lake ledges once they get back out on the water. Odds are the crappie have pulled back to the deeper sides of drop-offs and ledges in pursuit of schools of shad that usually ride out the cold in deeper depths.
Kentucky Lake’s elevation this week had risen to a 355.8 level for a few short days but has been falling slowly since and was down to 355.5. Odds are the reservoir will keep falling slowly until it returns to winter pool, which is around the 354 range of elevation.
13 Dec 2023
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
WINTER FISHING OFFICIALLY BEGINS SOON
Does Christmas crappie have a nice ring to it? Golden fillets sure taste good out of that cold water too. Winter fishing officially begins next week (December 21st) across the Kentucky Lake area. Most crappie anglers hate to see fall fade away as it has been a good one for them.
It’s fair to say the fishing has been better than the duck hunting! Anglers have been pretty consistent in their catches of crappie as they stalked deep structure such as brush piles and stake beds. Lake levels have been relatively stable lately as the reservoir is handing around the 355 range. That’s a few inches above the low ebb of winter pool. Watercolor has been clear.
Depths of 12 to 14 feet have been productive at times but some nice slabs have been taken in deeper depths such as 16 to 20 feet out on main lake ledges. Both jigs and minnow have paid dividends all fall. Winter crappie often favor the deep sides of ledges but if mild weather lingers then midrange depths will hold good numbers of fish.
The crappie are following their forage base, namely threadfin shad, and the baitfish will linger in shallow to midrange depths if surface temperatures hang around the mid to upper 40’s. If a cold spell descends and surface temp fall quickly it often results in a shad kill.
The shad don’t have a tolerance for quick surface temp changes and will go into shock if they’re caught up shallow during an overnight drastic temperature drop. A few times during the winter a massive shad kill occurs and while it’s not unusual it’s somewhat disturbing to fishermen if they see big numbers of bait fish dying and washing up on shorelines. Not a pretty sight. Quite puzzling actually.
Meanwhile, schools of baitfish often seek the refuge of deeper water during the winter months as it offers them a comfort zones free of quick temp changes. Crappie follow the shad wherever they go, which is why a lot of winter crappie stringers are taken from main lake ledges. The deep side of the ledges where structure can be located attracts the baitfish and the crappie are usually hot on their trail.
There are exceptions as not all the crappie and baitfish go deep to dodge the cold conditions but most of them do and that’s why winter crappie anglers target deep water. Unfortunately, the main lake areas where winter crappie often school are vulnerable to high winds. A cold front usually has north to northwest winds that whip up whitecaps, not to mention bone chilling breezes.
Winter fishing can sometimes separate the men from the boys. However, picking your days and dodging those windy day forecasts can deliver some pretty productive fishing conditions. Best be prepared and wrap up good. Remember you can always take a few layers off if it warms up!
22 Nov 2023
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
HOLIDAY COOL SPELL CHILLS FISHING SCENE
Falling temperatures this week have put a chill in the Kentucky Lake fishing scene as north winds have had more of a bite than the fish. Daytime highs are forecast to hang around the mid to upper 40’s most of next week and that’s cold out there on the open water when northeast winds are behind it. Nighttime temps are expected to dip down to the upper 20’s and low 30’s.
Fall fishing has been pretty good prior to the arrival of the cold front. Several decent stringers of crappie had been taken recently across the Paris Landing and upper Big Sandy and West Sandy region. Some anglers credit their luck to stake beds and brush piles in the midrange depths of 12 to 14 feet. Others say their best fish came from deeper water around 16 to 20 feet where deep brush piles were holding a few scattered slabs. Both live minnows and jigs are working but a lot of days the fish have been finicky in their choice of bait presentations. Some days jigs are best; other days anglers are bragging about the appeal of live minnows.
Tightlining jigs has been the cat’s meow for most of the successful anglers this fall but wise are the fishermen who are open to trying both at times. Solid body grubs such as Bobby Garland’s vast array of color combinations have paid dividends when fished on neutral colored lead heads. Some fishermen opt to using a black, red or chartreuse lead head at times. Productive colors have been monkey’s milk, blue/chartreuse, black/chartreuse, mayfly and many others at times. A few anglers are tipping their jigs with Berkley power bait crappie nibbles as well and seeing positive results.
Anglers may have to dodge a bit of inclement weather for a few days before a warmup returns. Until then, put another long on the fire as mild weather patterns will soon return for the fishing scene. Meanwhile, lake levels are staying relatively stable as the reservoir is resting around the 355 elevation at Kentucky Dam and all across the big pond. Watercolor remains clear. Light rain has fallen at times but not enough for any significant runoff to put stain in the water. Surface temperatures are in the 45-degree range.
Happy holidays too all you anglers out there!
16 Nov 2023
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
HOW LONG WILL MILD WEATHER LAST?
Kentucky Lake’s late fall fishing scene has extended the fishing season for a lot of folks. How long will the mild weather last? That’s what a lot of lakers have been asking themselves for the last few weeks and last weekend’s a cool spell and some overdue rain put things in perspective. Coveralls are now in demand! The lion’s share of November saw unusually nice weather linger. Mild temps and light winds dominated for several weeks, offering anglers and pleasure boaters ample opportunities to get out on the lake.
It has indeed been a beautiful fall for the most part. Now that some cooler weather has arrived folks are slowly acclimating to chilly nights and days. From the fishing scene comes pretty good reports from crappie fishermen who are still catching decent numbers of fish in a variety of depths. Whenever light winds allow anglers to boat out to main lake areas or move about on the reservoir it sees the catch rates improve.
If fish are scattered, then anglers can try a lot of different areas or experiment with different depth ranges in their pursuit of finicky crappie. Some of the nice stringers taken lately have come from anglers still targeting main lake ledges or deep brush piles and various manmade fish attractors. Depths of 16 to 20 feet have been producing good numbers of crappie.
Also, productive have been some midrange structures in the 9 to 14 foo depth rang. Up West Sandy and Big Sandy a few crappie have been taken in 4-to-8-foot depths at times. While most credit their catches to jigs there are some boaters using live minnows or tipping jigs with minnows to entice bites. Sometimes is best to let the fish decide which one they prefer on any given day. Meanwhile, jig fishermen always seem to experiment with color combinations as their tackle box is full of many different styles and shades ranging from solid bodies to tube skirts and hair jigs as well.
Meanwhile, a lack of rain has kept Kentucky Lake clear pretty much all fall. Rains were in finally entering the region last weekend and earlier this week which may put a little stain in the lake for fishermen. Lake levels have been stable, staying around the 355 elevation. Surface temperatures have been in the mid 50’s and changed slightly at midday. Cool nights have still had a little bite to them, so the frosty mornings have kept the water cool. With cooler weather now in progress look for surface temperatures to fall a few degrees this week. Very little current has been present in the main Tennessee River channel which is not too surprising given the lack of rainfall up until this week.
Bass fishermen have been slugging away tossing swim baits and some crankbaits with moderate success. Some activity was reported in big bays where white bass were schooling and chasing shad busting the surface. With them have been a few smallmouth and largemouth mixed in the flurry.
Right now, activity on the lake has subsided as so many activities are pulling people away from the water. From a variety of hunting seasons to football games, folks are going in several different directions.
Pick your weather and wait for the nice days as the lake is somewhat quiet. And there are still some nice days ahead mixed in-between a few cold fronts. The coveralls and thick coats are standard attire this time of year but remember you can always shed layers on the warmups!
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
HOW LONG WILL MILD WEATHER LAST?
Kentucky Lake’s late fall fishing scene has extended the fishing season for a lot of folks. How long will the mild weather last? That’s what a lot of lakers have been asking themselves for the last few weeks and last weekend’s a cool spell and some overdue rain put things in perspective. Coveralls are now in demand! The lion’s share of November saw unusually nice weather linger. Mild temps and light winds dominated for several weeks, offering anglers and pleasure boaters ample opportunities to get out on the lake.
It has indeed been a beautiful fall for the most part. Now that some cooler weather has arrived folks are slowly acclimating to chilly nights and days. From the fishing scene comes pretty good reports from crappie fishermen who are still catching decent numbers of fish in a variety of depths. Whenever light winds allow anglers to boat out to main lake areas or move about on the reservoir it sees the catch rates improve.
If fish are scattered, then anglers can try a lot of different areas or experiment with different depth ranges in their pursuit of finicky crappie. Some of the nice stringers taken lately have come from anglers still targeting main lake ledges or deep brush piles and various manmade fish attractors. Depths of 16 to 20 feet have been producing good numbers of crappie.
Also, productive have been some midrange structures in the 9 to 14 foo depth rang. Up West Sandy and Big Sandy a few crappie have been taken in 4-to-8-foot depths at times. While most credit their catches to jigs there are some boaters using live minnows or tipping jigs with minnows to entice bites. Sometimes is best to let the fish decide which one they prefer on any given day. Meanwhile, jig fishermen always seem to experiment with color combinations as their tackle box is full of many different styles and shades ranging from solid bodies to tube skirts and hair jigs as well.
Meanwhile, a lack of rain has kept Kentucky Lake clear pretty much all fall. Rains were in finally entering the region last weekend and earlier this week which may put a little stain in the lake for fishermen. Lake levels have been stable, staying around the 355 elevation. Surface temperatures have been in the mid 50’s and changed slightly at midday. Cool nights have still had a little bite to them, so the frosty mornings have kept the water cool. With cooler weather now in progress look for surface temperatures to fall a few degrees this week. Very little current has been present in the main Tennessee River channel which is not too surprising given the lack of rainfall up until this week.
Bass fishermen have been slugging away tossing swim baits and some crankbaits with moderate success. Some activity was reported in big bays where white bass were schooling and chasing shad busting the surface. With them have been a few smallmouth and largemouth mixed in the flurry.
Right now, activity on the lake has subsided as so many activities are pulling people away from the water. From a variety of hunting seasons to football games, folks are going in several different directions.
Pick your weather and wait for the nice days as the lake is somewhat quiet. And there are still some nice days ahead mixed in-between a few cold fronts. The coveralls and thick coats are standard attire this time of year but remember you can always shed layers on the warmups!
08 Nov 2023
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
LATE FALL HAS BEEN KIND TO ANGLERS
Kentucky Lake’s late fall fishing scene has been generous and kind to anglers. Above average temperatures had been teaming up with light winds and stable weather overall to provide ideal fishing conditions for the last couple of weeks. Hillsides have been holding on to picturesque autumn colors too, providing a nice backdrop for fishermen. Cooler days are coming, says the weatherman, as more seasonable weather patterns will kick in by this weekend. Anglers knew this wonderful weather couldn’t last forever.
Daytime highs climbed to near record highs at midweek—reaching the low to mid 80’s in some areas—but the forecast says some much-needed rain will enter the picture ahead of a cold front. Highs this weekend and next week will be in the low to mid 50’s for a few days and slowly climb to the low 60’s for daytime highs with cool night temps dipping into the low to mid 30’s! The honeymoon with summer weather here in late fall may be coming to an end.
Lake levels this week have lingered around the 355 elevation at Kentucky Dam and all across the reservoir. Watercolor remains clear. Pretty much everyone was hoping for rain across the region. Surface temperatures have reflected the warm days and have risen to the 60-to-64-degree range in most areas. Watch for that to change the next few days and fall several degrees.
Crappie fishing has been good the last week to ten days across the reservoir. Mild days and light winds teamed up to produce excellent fishing conditions and the crappie bite responded favorably. Dandy stringers were taken by anglers fishing both jigs and minnows. Deeper areas in some areas of the lake produced good numbers. Depths of 16 to 20 feet were holding nice size fish. Also producing have been some midrange manmade fish attractors in the 8-to-12-foot depth range. Several anglers reported landing 20-fish limits this week as the bite has actually been better the first ten days of November than it was in most of September or October.
It should continue to hold up but with the approaching cold front will come nasty north winds so that will alter the approach for most fishermen who have been enjoying the freedom to fish open water areas without battling whitecaps.
A few bass fishermen saw some increased activity as well during the mild weather phase of November. The bite seemed to improve a bit on gravel banks and rocky areas such as rip-rap levees and roadbeds. Tossing shad-colored crankbaits paid dividends such as Rapala’s Shad Rap, Bandit and Bill Lewis chrome and black or Tennessee shad color variations. Rattle Trap style lures are always a good choice throughout the fall and that has proven to be the case as of late.
Some smallmouth are still testing the tackle of bass fishermen. Most credit their success to casting swim baits over sandbars in main lake areas but steep bluffs back in larger bays have also been productive.
A few white bass have still been busting the surface at times in their pursuit of schooling shad. With them have been a few smallmouth and largemouth at times too.
Catfishing has been sluggish. Current has been sluggish too as not much rain has entered the Tennessee River system this fall and that’s diminished the flow. There has been a slight amount of current—26,000 to 30,000 cfs—at times which is somewhat surprising given the lack of runoff.
Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene has had an unusually nice fall so anglers can’t complain if we get a few cold and windy days mixed with a day or two of rain.
24 Oct 2023
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
Kentucky Lake’s late October fishing scene has been nice this week courtesy of beautiful weather. Fall fishing held up to its reputation as stable conditions greeted fishermen across the region with above average temperatures and relatively light winds. Lake levels were stable too as the reservoir is resting around the low ebb of winter pool. Elevation at Kentucky Dam was hanging around the 354.9 range as was the rest of the reservoir. Watercolor remains clear as a dry region yearns for rain.
Surface temperatures reflect the unusually warm weather with readings in the 64-to-65-degree range. Watch for that to fall a few degrees next week as a drastic cold front is in the forecast with daytime highs projected to be only 46 degrees by Monday. At night the mercury is forecast to dip down to 33 degrees as a nasty front blows in. Daytime highs have been in the upper 70’s and low 80’s this week. Being out on the lake lately has been the cat’s meow. Nice weather with beautiful scenery changing daily as the parade of colors puts on a show has been well worth the price of admission.
The crappie bite has been pretty good across the reservoir this week. Last week was okay too but high winds showed up for several days and sort of upset the apple cart, dictating how and where boaters could go. Not too bad this week as anglers have been able to move about the lake and check out several open water areas in their quest to find October crappie. That’s the way autumn angling is supposed to be. Most of the decent stringers have come from 8 to 12 feet. That midrange depth has been productive, but anglers have had to make several stops as the fish have played games of hide and seek at times.
Anglers are just having to knock on a lot of doors to accumulate numbers of keeper size crappie. Some slabs have been taken but there are a lot of small fish biting, so fishermen are having to keep the measuring board handy most days. Still annoying anglers in certain areas of the lake are the aggressive and annoying schools of yellow bass who never seem to get their fill. For anglers tipping jigs with minnows or just presenting live minnows only the yellow bass are sometimes like a pack of wolves detecting a smell of blood. However, sometimes the crappie are down there in the brush piles and stake beds holding tight in the cover if you can get past the yellow bass army.
Some crappie have been taken deeper as main lake ledges and structure in the 15-to-17-foot depth zones have given up some fish as well. Up Big Sandy and West Sandy a few anglers have found fish in shallow structure around the 4-to-8-foot depth range. Vertical fishing jigs or jigs tipped with minnows have paid dividends at times. Next week’s cold spell may curtail activity for a few days as northwest winds will be part of the fishing scene as the front rolls in but watch for things to settle down once the front passes.
Bass fishermen are still struggling to find and catch big numbers. Shad activity is abundant in the bays plus out on the main lake as big schools are roaming about. Back in some of the larger bays bass have been taken on chrome colored Rattle Trap style lures plus shallow running crankbaits. Some bass have been busting the service on calm days in their pursuit of baitfish as have a few schools of white bass.
Not much happening for the shallow bite as the bulk of anglers tossing spinnerbaits, shallow running crankbaits and hair jigs around visible stickups are not finding much cooperation. The better bass bite has been back off the banks as of late. A few nice smallmouth continue to show up for anglers targeting the secondary sandbars and ledges using swim baits and hair jigs.
As to the catfish bite reports have been sluggish for most as diminished current seems to have curtailed activity. TVA has decreased discharge rates at Kentucky Dam lately down to only 19,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) so not much current in the main channel as of late.
There’s still some great fall fishing ahead as the pumpkin month fades away. Most cold fronts won’t last too long so watch for a quick rebound. Anglers may have to put another log on the fire for a few days and button up the coveralls but not for long. Mild days will soon return.
18 Oct 2023
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
PUMPKIN MONTH HAS BEEN NICE TO ANGLERS
The pumpkin month has been nice to Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene with more nice weather in the forecast for next week. Fall fishing is alive. Each week sees more colors on display along the hillsides and it’s a great time to go fishing or just take a cruise around the lake. Just remember to observe the channel markers as you move about. There are lots of shallow sandbars out there now so resist the urge to take those shortcuts out across the open waters.
Cooler days this week have seen surface temperatures fall from last week. Readings the last few days have shown mornings kicking off around 64 to 65 degrees and rising slightly at midday. That has stimulated the shallow to midrange crappie bite lately.
Lake levels are around the 355 elevation across the reservoir and have at times fallen a few inches. Watch for a slight decline in lake levels in the week ahead as the reservoir falls back toward winter pool.
Watercolor remains clear. Not much current moving in the main Tennessee River channel lately as a lack of rainfall has been the story. This past week Tennessee Valley Authority was pushing only 21,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) through Kentucky Dam. The diminished current has decreased the catfish bite somewhat, but it can rebound quickly once current increases.
Late October has traditionally been a good time frame for catching crappie here and as of late it has held up to its reputation. More fish have moved up to the 5-to-10-foot depth range in hot pursuit of shad schools.
Several nice stringers have been taken recently by anglers vertical fishing both jigs and minnows around submerged stake beds and brush piles. However, a few reports have come in from successful anglers casting jigs too. Some boats working the main lake ledges pulling jigs with long line techniques are catching fish too as they stroll along the ledges and flats targeting 12-to-15-foot depths. Anglers had to negotiate a few windy days but overall, it’s been nice out there.
Crappie have shown a more aggressive mood this week. No doubt the lower surface temperatures have had a positive influence. The bite should hold up for several more weeks.
Bass activity has been fair with a few more fish headed toward gravel shorelines. Tossing shad-colored crankbaits have produced as have some floating fluke style lures and topwater jerk baits. More shad activity has been visible in the early morning and late afternoons lately. Still stalking some of the main lake ledges and shallow sandbars have been a few boats casting swim baits and some Rattle Trap style presentations. A few smallmouth were showing up from those main lake ledges.
Don’t let this wonderful fall fishing scene pass you by. It’s absolutely beautiful out there right now and the bite is good too.
11 Oct 2023
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
IT’S GREAT OUT ON THE LAKE…AUTUMN INVITES YOU
Waiting for nice weather before heading out on the lake? Wait no longer. Autumn is in full swing and invites you to partake of this wonderful season of transition. Mild temperatures are the norm. Light winds too. Jacket mornings and shirt sleeve afternoons are here. Last weekend’s cool snap sort of helped jump start a sluggish fall that had gotten hung in the summer mode position. A long stretch of hot and dry weather had folks wondering if fall had passed us by. Not to worry. It’s alive and well on Kentucky Lake.
Since last week surface temperatures have cooled slightly and another weekend cold front is in the forecast. An extended spell of chilly weather is expected to hang around next week too. It appears adding another log to the fire is about to enter the picture. Surface temps this week have been in the 77-to-78-degree range. That will likely fall a few degrees in the days ahead.
Watercolor remains clear. Very little rain has fallen in the region lately. Lake levels are sleeping around the low elevation of 354.9, which is on the threshold of the low ebb of winter pool. The reservoir has been stable these last few weeks. Discharge rates out of Kentucky Dam have been in the 25,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) range.
The fall crappie bite has improved somewhat as a few more fish are moving up and showing more interest. Some decent stringers have been taken recently by anglers vertical fishing live minnows and jigs around the 8-to-13-foot depth range. Some anglers reported some good size crappie taken from the deeper depth range of 16 to 18 feet at times. Up Big Sandy there were fish taken in the midrange depths of 5 to 8 feet.
It’s not uncommon for the shallow bite to turn on somewhat quicker in the upper end of Big Sandy and throughout West Sandy. Fall crappie fishing is often overlooked and underrated. You can fight fish without having to fight the crowd.
These next few weeks will see cooler surface temperatures entering the fishing scene. Transition time is indeed underway out on the lake and up on the hillsides. Fall colors are fading fast but peak is a couple of weeks away. Watch for that shallow bite to improve all across the reservoir, especially on cloudy or rainy days that help filter out the bright sunlight.
Catfish have still been hitting for those who know how to find them out on the main river areas as they follow the balls of baitfish. Shad schooling in huge balls will usually have the catfish in hot pursuit. Depths can vary from 25 to 45 feet at times, but the blue cats have been hitting pretty good at times. Meanwhile, several nice channel catfish are showing up in midrange depths of 10 to 15 feet as crappie anglers working stake beds and brush piles are tying into some on a regular basis. It’s quite a thrill to battle a 3-to-4-pound catfish on light tackle. That’s happening daily for crappie anglers too.
Bass fishermen are still finding the fall bite challenging. Clear water conditions have had shallow bass finicky as most of the better tournament stringers are coming from deeper water humps and sandbars. The best stringers taken by tournament winners are being credited to fishing swim baits out on ledges or humps inside the mouth of big bays. Several nice smallmouth are showing up too!
More shad have moved up on gravel banks this week and flicking about, feeding on midge hatches. The tiny insects hatch in lowlight conditions throughout the fall, offering some nice topwater opportunities along open gravel flats and shady banks. That shallow gravel bank topwater bite occurs in the early morning and late afternoon hours. However, sometimes it kicks in on a cloudy day even at midday.
Other patterns producing a few fish are boat docks where anglers have been tossing shallow running shad-colored crankbaits and pitching jig/pig combos and various Texas rigged worm variations or slow falling baits.
Autumn angling has definitely arrived. These next few weeks offer some great fishing and beautiful scenery so don’t that this wonderful season get away from you. Taking a pontoon cruise in the late afternoon is quite nice but all boaters best use caution and pay close attention to channel markers. That low lake level will humble you!
03 Oct 2023
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
FISHING SCENE WELCOMES WEATHER CHANGE
By this weekend a long overdue cold front will be in progress. Temperatures are expected to plummet, dropping some 25 degrees in the days ahead. Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene is about to see a drastic change as lows on Saturday and Sunday nights are forecast to fall into the upper 30’s and low 40’s. Daytime highs are expected to only reach the low 60’s on Saturday and Sunday.
For several weeks both fishermen and hunters have been hoping for cooler weather. Looks like the region is about to get it. And most everyone was hoping some much-needed rain was preceding the cold spell.
This past week has seen some hot summer days taking over the fishing scene at midday. Stagnant winds made it feel even hotter out there on the big pond too. Low to mid 80’s with no breeze has heated things up above the norm for the first week of October so hardly anyone will complain about cooler days ahead.
Lake levels dropped a few inches this week. Elevation at Kentucky Dam fell to the 354.9 range at midweek. Watercolor remains clear. Discharge rates at Kentucky Dam had fallen off to 29,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) this week. Surface temperatures have started the mornings off around 78 degrees and warmed to 80 at midday. Watch for that to decline rapidly once the cold front passes through the region this weekend.
Bass fishing continues to be challenging for the average everyday angler who had been throwing everything in the tackle box hoping to stimulate some strikes from sluggish bass. While a few anglers reported some activity it has been hit and miss. The most activity has occurred around flats and in some big bays where schools of white bass have been busting the surface with frequent feeding frenzies.
Several calm days revealed surface activity as fish tore holes in the placid waters in hot pursuit of big schools of shad. Some largemouth and smallmouth accompanied the feeding sprees too.
Meanwhile, some area tournament winners credited their success to tossing swim baits out on main lake areas. Finicky bass have been reluctant to show much interest but some of those tournament anglers who have mastered Livescope technology have managed to find and catch a few fish even in the toughest of times.
The early October crappie bite has been challenging as well for most anglers but there are always a few success stories. Depths of 8 to 11 feet have given up some decent stringers this week but it required anglers to make a lot of stops.
The finicky crappie have been one here and two there but not much in the way of schooling fish. Some stake beds and brush piles in midrange depths have been produced while anglers utilized live minnows and a few jigs tipped with minnows. Enticing the sluggish crappie to bite has required anglers to experiment with both depth and bait presentations. The bite has been best in the early morning and late afternoon hours as those hot days with high skies and stagnant winds at midday saw activity diminish. Cloud cover has been rare, which added another hurdle to the equation.
The long hot spell has seen above average surface temps wear out their welcome. The shallow bite has been somewhat below average but that’s about to change. In the aftermath of the cold front will be normal fall type weather so hopefully more fish will transition toward shallow areas in the days ahead.
Some cat fishermen stalking the main Tennessee River channel area chalked up some decent stringers of blue and channel catfish this week. Despite low flows the bite was pretty good at times out there.
Looks like it’s time to dig out the coveralls and heavy jackets. A rare cold front is about to blow in and change the whole fishing scene for a few days, although temps are forecast to moderate by next week.
Finally, it’s going to feel like fall out there!
27 Sept 2023
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
EVEN FISHING SCENE IN NEED OF RAIN AND COOLER TEMPS
You know it’s dry when even the fishermen want it to rain! Such is the case across the Kentucky Lake fishing scene and the entire region has been quite dry lately, not to mention the rather warm temperatures that have been reluctant to loosen their grip. Fall officially arrived last week but summer weather has lingered as of late. Fishermen were hoping the first week of October would deliver some of those jacket mornings. That doesn’t seem to be in the cards.
Surface temperatures this week have not cooled off from last week. Morning readings are starting the day off around 79 and warming to 82-plus range by midday. Watercolor remains clear across the reservoir. No rain has fallen so runoff has not entered the Tennessee River watershed as of late. Lake levels this week have fallen to the 355.1 range, which is right on the threshold of the low ebb of winter pool.
Boaters running about best pay close attention to channel markers. This is not the time of year to take shortcuts across main lake sandbars as it will get you in trouble. Current has diminished as well. TVA is pushing only 20,000 (cfs) through Kentucky Dam this week so that has somewhat curtailed the main channel catfish bite.
A few catfish have continued to move up to midrange depths of 15 to 20 feet. Some areas of 10 to 12 feet have given up catfish lately as several nice ones have been taken by crappie fishermen while working midrange brush piles and stake beds. That’s a nice surprise to tie into a hefty catfish while fishing a light action rod with light monofilament line. While expecting a light strike and a somewhat sluggish battle the show changes quickly when a hefty catfish makes a run, tearing holes in the water and making the line sing.
Sometimes it’s a tackle tester as a big cat will break the line once he makes a run and dives back into the structure from which he came. Not much an angler can do but hold on and loosen the drag on the reel. Having a dip net handy might help you land ole’ whiskers!
Kentucky Lake’s early fall crappie bite has been fair but somewhat sluggish in the shallow to midrange depths. The fish have not moved up in big numbers just yet, a likely result of warm surface temperatures hanging around. There have been a few crappie taken in 5-to-8-foot stake beds and brush piles, but anglers are encountering a lot of small fish there. Also challenging has been the battle with the bait stealing yellow bass who always seem to possess an appetite and attitude.
Both the yellow bass and crappie will coexist in the shallow crappie beds at times as they’re in competition for shad in the zone. However, if you’re using live minnows—and a lot of anglers are—expect to go through a lot of bait in your quest to find a few keeper size crappie. Some crappie are still lingering out in the 16-to-20-foot depth range. A few bigger fish have been taken there lately on deep structure. Most anglers are using tightline techniques and vertical presentations of live minnows or jigs tipped with minnows around deeper structure. Bites have been light as the fish are somewhat finicky.
A few cloudy or rainy days would help the shallow bite. These beautiful clear days are nice to be out on the lake, but the high skies and high barometric pressure days make shallow fish even more spooky. And, stagnant days without wind add another dimension to already finicky crappie. Most anglers prefer a little chop on the water from a light wind. Sooner or later some real fall weather will arrive and cool off the fishing scene. The early mornings have already been nice and some tint in the foliage is already beginning to show up on the hillsides.
Bass anglers have been pulling out all the stops in their attempts to pattern illusive early fall bass. Some are staying with a summer pattern and working main lake sandbars, humps and ledges. Other have beat the banks and trying to trick some fish on gravel shorelines and various exposed crappie beds. The shallow bite has been tough for most. Tossing spinnerbaits, Texas rigged worms, shallow running shad-colored crankbaits and even some topwater have been sluggish to produce. Those fishing deeper water have had success while tossing finesse baits on main lake sandbars at times.
Another pattern producing has been finding white bass schooling. Locating them in jumps means the schools of shad are there and largemouth and smallmouth are likely running with them. Sooner or later those foggy cool mornings will be here. A long sleeve jacket will be needed until mid-morning, and all will be right with the world!
18 Sept 2023
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
FALL OFFICIALLY ARRIVES…ANGLERS YEARN FOR COOLER DAYS/LOWER SURFACE TEMPS
Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene officially changes to autumn angling on Saturday says the calendar. Anglers are hoping for some cool fall weather to get here and stay here.
Lake levels this week continued a slow fall and elevation is down a few inches from last week at this time with a reading of 355.6 across the reservoir. Watercolor remains clear. TVA has been pulling a steady flow as forecasts indicate some 45,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) are moving through Kentucky Dam daily. That’s maintaining pretty good current for cat fishermen and main lake area bass and crappie anglers.
Surface temperatures are starting the morning out around 78 degrees and warming to 82 by midday. The long-range weather forecast indicates stable weather lies ahead with highs in the low 80’s most days and a slight chance of rain by Sunday or Monday. Fall has a reputation of stability and it’s starting out right on track. Anglers wouldn’t mind some cooler days and nights to lower the surface temperatures.
The crappie bite has been somewhat sluggish for most anglers yearning for lower surface temperatures. That might pull more numbers of larger fish to shallow to midrange depths. A lot of small fish have been caught by fishermen stalking stake beds and brush piles in depths of 6 to 10 feet. Finding decent numbers of crappie that exceed the 10-inch minimum length limit in that depth zones has been tough. Lots of smaller fish have moved up but bigger fish remain a challenge.
Even some deeper ledges and structure out on main lake flats has been reluctant to give up decent number of big fish at times. Some boaters are fishing live minnow presentations or tipping jigs with minnows while others are vertical fishing jigs around deep cover. Battling the aggressive schools of yellow bass has been all part of the fall fishing equation as the bait stealers are abundant at times. They are small in size but possess a huge appetite.
Meanwhile, a few boats targeting deeper structure out on main lake areas have managed to find a few good size in the 13-to-17-foot depth range. Most say they had to make a lot of stops to accumulate numbers as not many fish were schooling around the deep cover. That scenario should improve in the days and weeks ahead. A little drop in surface temperatures can trigger increased activity by both schools of shad and the crappie who pursue them. Some cloudy or rainy mornings would help the shallow bite as well.
Catfish continue to move up and slowly leave those deep summer hideouts as fall advances. Tying into a few catfish has been the norm lately for crappie fishermen as they work the midrange depths of 12 to 15 feet. Meanwhile, there’s still good current out on the main river channel these days and that has maintained a decent bite among the ranks of cat fishermen working the banks of the main river channel. Depths of 25 to 35 feet were still giving up good numbers of blue and channel catfish. Nightcrawlers, chicken livers and cut bait were producing.
The bass bite has been inconsistent for most as establishing patterns has been tough. There have been a few fish chasing shad in the backs of larger bays as they mix with white bass activity. Tossing Rattle Trap style lures in chrome colors have produced at times. Rooster Tails have worked good on the white bass. Activity along shallow gravel banks has not worked well as of late, but that bite should improve soon as it’s time for bass to move up and occupy such areas, especially in early morning and late afternoons. Anglers tossing swim baits, Carolina rigs and Texas rig presentations as well as those still offering big deep diving shad-colored crankbaits are managing to catch a few fish.
Some nice smallmouth are showing up at times in the creel of anglers fishing finesse baits on deeper humps and main lake ledges along the river channel.
Some white bass schooling activity is taking place and the fish are busting the surface on calm days in their pursuit of shad schools.
13 Sept 2023
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
AUTUMN ANGLING HAS FEEL OF FALL IN THE AIR
A midweek cool snap sure had a nice feel to it. Lower humidity and temperatures put a little pep in the step of Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene again this week. Chilly nights saw the temps fall into the upper 50’s in some areas and low 60’s in others. It was a welcomed change.
Days have definitely had a fall feel this week although autumn doesn’t officially arrive until September 23. And the weatherman indicates warmer days are in the forecast for next week, but fishermen are enjoying the party of cool weather while it lasts.
Surface temperatures this week have fallen slightly as readings were starting out the mornings around 81 to 82 degrees and warming to 85 by midday. By this weekend water temps will likely fall into the low 70’s at night low 80’s during the day.
Watercolor remains clear across the reservoir. Lake levels in the Kentucky Dam area and across the reservoir have fallen slightly and are down to the 355.8 level, which is the lowest elevation since TVA’s annual drawdown began back on July 1.
Both recreational boaters and fishermen need to pay close attention to channel markers as they navigate across Kentucky Lake. Taking shortcuts can produce problems when the reservoir is down.
There’s still pretty good current in the main Tennessee River channel as TVA is discharging 47,000 cfs (cubic feet per second) through Kentucky Dam. That much current moving should maintain a good bite for cat fishermen stalking the main channel areas. Last week the current diminished but has returned, which will likely stimulate the bite courtesy of shad movement.
Once current kicks in it stirs up phytoplankton and zooplankton and that triggers schools of shad to move about on feeding sprees. Movement throughout the food chain occurs and anglers are the beneficiary of meandering balls of shad with catfish hot on their trail. Depths of 25 to 40 feet have given up fish this week. It appears the cooler days are pushing a few fish to move up to midrange depths.
Although several boats continue to pursue catfish along the main river channel banks, fish have moved up to midrange depths lately as crappie fishermen are encountering them as they fish 9-to-13-foot depths around manmade fish attractors. Nightcrawlers are still the bait of choice among the ranks of cat fishermen.
Crappie have transitioned this week as they slowly stair-step their way toward shallow to midrange depths. Some fish have been taken in 5-to-8-foot depths in Big Sandy and West Sandy this week while most anglers in the Paris Landing sector were fishing a bit deeper. A few larger fish have been taken in 18-to-22-foot depths but numbers there were scattered. Midrange depths of 12 to 15 feet appear to be holding a few more fish but anglers are having to cull out a lot of smaller fish at times.
For those tipping jigs with minnows or just using live minnow presentations it’s that time of the year when pesky schools of yellow bass move up and occupy shallow crappie beds too. Like a school of piranha, the feisty little rascals are fun to catch and quite aggressive but quite annoying at times. They will steal your bait at the blink of an eye. As fall approaches and days grow shorter and hopefully cooler, crappie should continue to move up to the 8-to-12-foot zones in good numbers.
Anglers fishing jigs in a vertical presentation are catching decent numbers but pretty much everyone is having to move about and knock on a lot of doors to accumulate numbers. Once surface temps fall back into the mid to upper 60’s and remains there crappie should take on a more aggressive mood.
Bass anglers have been struggling at times in their quest to find baitfish schools. Some shad are roaming the backs of bays, and a few are showing up along gravel banks in the early morning and late afternoon. Shad usually begin feeding sprees in the lowlight hours as they feast on midge (small insects) hatches, especially in the early morning and late afternoon periods. It can be a good topwater bite for short periods.
Still stalking main lake ledges are boaters staying with the summer patterns. Tossing swim baits, crankbaits and some Texas rigged worms had paid dividends at times. Some decent size smallmouth have been taken by anglers finesse fishing deeper sandbars and humps.
Warm weather has been stubborn to depart for long periods but each passing day brings fall closer to the fishing scene. Soon those jacket mornings and shirt sleeve afternoons will be the norm.
06 Sept 2023
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
TRANSITION TIME FOR KENTUCKY LAKE FISHING SCENE
It’s transition time for Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene as fall approaches. Although the season doesn’t officially arrive until September 23rd this year there are already signs things are changing out there on the big pond. Lake levels have dropped a bit since last week and are sleeping around the 356-elevation range at Kentucky Dam and across the reservoir. Discharge rates have diminished this week as well as TVA is pushing about 36,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) through Kentucky Dam.
Watercolor remains clear. Surface temps are in the 83-to-85-degree range. A cool spell should enter the picture by this weekend, which may decrease surface temps slightly in the days ahead.
Crappie have begun their late summer and pre-fall transition toward shallow to midrange depths. A few fish have been caught this week in the 9-to-13-foot depth range. More will move up in the days and weeks ahead as surface temps fall back into the mid 70’s and upper 60’s. Schools of baitfish are already beginning to show up meandering across shallow flats and some are moving up into the back ends of big bays. With them will come crappie and bass hot on their trail.
Anglers working manmade fish attractors such as stake beds and brush piles are finding several scattered fish taking live minnows or jigs tipped with minnows while applying vertical presentations. Others are casting jigs at times and scoring decent stringers. Some boats are still staying with main lake ledges and vertical fishing deep structure in depths of 17 to 22 feet. There are still some crappie holding on to summer venues as a result of recent hot weather. Watch for more fish to move up soon. Lower surface temps, shorter days and that fall feel in the air will stimulate activity for sluggish crappie. Like the anglers pursuing them they too welcome the cooler transition toward autumn.
Bass anglers are finding some decent size fish playing their game whenever schools of shad can be located along some main lake sand bars or even toward the backs of bigger bays.
Some white bass have been schooling out on the main lake sandbars and running with them in pursuit of the threadfin shad have been some smallmouth and largemouth schooling as well. On calm days the feeding frenzies can easily be spotted as the fish tear holes in the placid waters. Tossing shad-colored crankbaits, spoons, Rooster Tails and some swim baits have appealed. A few fish have responded to topwater jerk bait in chrome colors.
Some bass anglers are still tossing deep running crankbaits, Texas rigged worms and the typical menu of summer bait buffets out on main lake ledges. Soon more bass will be moving up to gravel banks in hot pursuit of shad that are feeding on the lowlight midge hatches in the early morning and late afternoon hours. The tiny insects hatching draw the baitfish and the bass know it. We need a few more cool days to stimulate that bite.
Catfish have continued to greet anglers this week but a slight decrease in the current may diminish the bite at times. TVA was pushing a lot of water last week but has backed off some. Still, the flow out there now should produce a decent bite. Some nice stringers of blue catfish were taken this week by anglers fishing the 40-foot depth range as they dunked nightcrawlers around the suspended schools of shad. A few boats are bumping bottom along the edge of the river channel banks while others are fishing bridge piers and scoring well.
There’s some great fishing opportunities ahead as fall approaches, bringing with it cooler days and less overall activity out on the lake. It is indeed an overlooked season. Just be aware of the lower lake levels—which are normal this time of year—and pay close attention to channel markers and your sonar units. Don’t go blasting down the lake at high speeds if you don’t know the water!
30 Aug 2023
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
TOUCH OF FALL WAS SHORT HONEYMOON FOR FISHING SCENE
Kentucky Lake’s late August fishing scene had a touch of fall in the air this week. Anglers are wondering how long it will last.
According to the long-range forecast things will begin heat up by Labor Day as daytime highs are forecast to return to the upper 80’s and hang around most of next week.
Lake levels have been falling slowly this week and TVA’s forecast heading into the weekend projects an elevation of 356.6, which a minor change from last weekend’s level. Watercolor is clear across the reservoir.
Surface temperatures are in the 83-to-85-degree range. The short hiatus from hot and humid weather sure helped the attitude of anglers but it had a minor effect on water temps.
A steady current has held up well for catfish and bass anglers working the main lake areas.
TVA has been keeping a steady flow through Kentucky Dam and discharging around 57,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). That has provided ample current in the main channel area and maintained the aggressive bite of both blue and channel catfish schools who are following the paths of shad balls.
Cat fishermen know that current—as long as it’s not too swift—is their bread and butter. Moving water stimulates movement of baitfish. And the baitfish are moving because their forage base (shad) are meandering about feeding on zooplankton.
Current puts life in the main channel areas and without it the bite diminishes. The fish just don’t move around and feed much when stagnant current descends.
Sometimes the bite will change throughout the day if low flows exist early but increase throughout the day as power demands increase. There are times when anglers just have to wait it out.
Checking the TVA website (TVA.com) for Kentucky reservoir will provide a three-day forecast on both lake levels and discharge rates, which helps anglers make plans but even that’s subject to change on short notice.
Nice stringers have been taken as anglers work the edge of the Tennessee River channel banks plus submerged humps and bends in the riverbank. Depths of 40 to 50 feet have produced but a few fish have been taken suspending around the baitfish balls.
Topping the preferred bait list is still nightcrawlers. They’re pretty hard to beat for consistency. Chicken liver, big minnows, cut shad/bluegill, hotdogs dipped in homemade concoctions, shrimp and catalpa worms (if you can find them) are always good choices as well.
Bass activity had some improvements as current has helped that bite too out on main lake ledges. A few nice smallmouth and largemouth have been relating to the down current sides of sandbars and humps.
Depths of 12 to 20 feet have given up some dandies in the 4 to 5 pound plus range as of late. Swim baits and deep diving crankbaits have worked but so have Texas rigged worms and Carolina rigged worms and grubs in the pumpkin pepper, green pumpkin pepper, red shad and Tequila sunrise colors just to name a few.
Scattered schools of white bass are showing up on main lake sandbars too when big schools of shad are present. Some surface activity has been seen on calm days when the fish go into a feeding frenzy.
Crappie have been fair with scattered success stories from anglers fishing live minnows and jigs tipped with minnows. Depths of 12 to 16 feet produced a few fish as have some deeper structures in the 18-to-25-foot depth zone.
Most anglers are tightlining their bait presentation and bumping bottom at times as the fish are tight in the cover.
Look for more crappie to move up to midrange depths in the days and weeks ahead. Early September kick starts a transition time for Kentucky Lake crappie to slowly begin putting some of their deep summer hideouts in the rearview mirror.
23 Aug 2023
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
Dominating this week’s Kentucky Lake fishing scene has been the return of hot and humid weather. Daytime highs have climbed to the mid to upper 90’s with a heat index of 100-plus.
That’s calling the shots for summer fishermen and diminished the playing field for a lot of anglers but there are always a few die-hards out there testing the water.
There’s good news in the forecast as temps are expected to fall back near or slightly below the normal range by Sunday or Monday so cooler days are ahead for fishermen.
Lake levels have been falling this week while temperatures were rising. Kentucky Lake’s elevation is projected to be down around the 356.7 range by the weekend. That’s down several inches from last week at this time.
Surface temperatures have risen to the 86-to-88-degree range. Watercolor is clear across most of the reservoir with a slight stain remaining in the main channel area.
TVA has been pulling a lot of current and that kept ample flow in the main Tennessee River channel which prolonged a good summer catfish bite. Projections indicate a reduction in discharge through Kentucky Dam in the days ahead down to 35,000 cubic feet per second (cfs).
That’s down from last week but still enough to keep the interest level high for meandering blue and channel catfish. Anglers should continue to see plenty of activity.
Still producing have been the deeper depths of 40 to 50 feet at times. Baits of choice have been nightcrawlers, catalpa worms, chicken liver, hot dogs marinated in garlic type concoctions, big minnows and cut bait. Several commercial baits are working too.
Crappie have been sluggish, but some have been taken in the 18-to-22-foot depth range by anglers tightlining minnows on bottom bumping rigs or on jigs tipped with minnows. Some anglers reported scattered fish found in 12-to-15-foot brush piles and stake beds.
Others are trolling crankbaits out on main lake sandbars and picking up a few using that technique.
Most all anglers are hitting the lake in the wee hours of the morning and tossing in the towel before midday heat takes over.
Crappie and bass anglers indicate the bite is diminishing once the sun gets high in the sky as fish are sensitive to the bright light and heat by midday.
Bass fishermen are finding a few deep holes producing out on the main lake sandbars and ledges. Current helps that bite too and when there’s flow the schools of shad are meandering, which stimulates for feeding activity from bass, catfish, crappie and white bass.
A few bass fishermen have turned to night fishing in an effort to beat the beat.
Most anglers continue to toss big Texas rigged worms, Carolina rigs, swim baits, deep diving crankbaits and a few spoons.
There have been several sightings of white bass schooling out on main lake flats gotten the attention of summer fishermen. Tossing small spinners and spoons have worked well on the aggressive feeders in the midst of a feeding frenzy.
Mayflies continue to hatch and that can produce a decent shallow bite in the early morning and late afternoon hours at the peak of the hatch.
Cooler days are coming, and anglers should have a much better comfort zone out there once they arrive. Next week should be better overall for the entire fishing scene.
16 Aug 2023
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
CATFISH STILL KING OF FISHING SCENE
Make no mistake about it; catfish is still king of the summer fishing scene on Kentucky Lake!
In the aftermath of abundant rain that fell in the wake of repeated thunderstorms passing through the region earlier this week and portions of last week ample runoff has entered the Tennessee River watershed lately. As a result, Kentucky Lake has plenty of current flowing as TVA has been discharging over 57,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) this week through Kentucky Dam.
Lake levels and discharge rates could change daily. Lake levels are falling slowly and were dancing around the 357.8 range. Watercolor is mostly clear, but more stain has entered the main channel area the last few days. Surface temps are in the 85-to-87-degree range.
A cool front has slipped in the door and given anglers a rare touch of fall for a few days. That’s a welcomed change to the heat and humidity, which is the norm for August angling. The forecast indicates the break from hot weather will be a short honeymoon.
Fishermen could see some foggy mornings enter the fishing scene. A light jacket or long sleeve shirts may replace sunscreen or a day or two.
Meanwhile hefty stringers of blue catfish are dominating the Kentucky Lake fishing scene again this week. Good flowing current has helped prolong the summer bite and anglers are taking advantage of it.
Whenever discharge rates increase at Kentucky Dam it has a domino effect upstream for summer cat fishermen stalking the deep holes along the Tennessee River.
Where bend and turns or perhaps humps and other irregular features in the topography occur that may divert the submerged flow is where anglers frequently discover buried treasure in the form of ole’ whiskers. Schools of catfish are hot on the trail of meandering balls of baitfish and such spots pay dividends.
Kentucky Lake’s summer catfish bite should continue to hold up for several more weeks as long as steady current stays in the picture.
A lot of anglers are targeting the 40-to-50-foot depth range, but some fish have been suspending at times in their pursuit of meandering schools of shad. Successful anglers that have learned to monitor their sonar screens are scoring big catches of both blue and channel catfish.
Productive baits have been nightcrawlers, chicken livers, cut bait such as bluegill, big minnows, catalpa worms, hot dogs dipped in various homemade concoctions and shrimp just to name a few. There are some good commercial baits available at your favorite bait shop that are working too.
Scattered reports of summer crappie have come in from anglers still stalking stake beds and brush piles around the 12-to-15-foot depth range. Most were tightlining jigs tipped with minnows or Berkley Power Bait crappie nibbles in white or chartreuse.
Deeper crappie have been taken around 18 to 25 feet by anglers tightlining live minnows. Some are tipping jigs will minnows as well. The live minnow seems to be enticing to summer crappie.
A few boats are trolling crankbaits over main lake ledges and picking up a potpourri of species around the 12-to-15-foot depth range. It’s not unusual for trollers to encounter crappie, white bass, yellow bass, drum, catfish, sauger and an occasional hefty largemouth or smallmouth bass.
The trolling technique covers a lot of water and sometimes a school of white bass can be discovered holding on the edge of a drop-off.
White bass have been seen in the jumps around the Paris Landing sector on days when calm winds delivered placid water that allowed anglers to hear and see them busting shad. The surface activity has been inconsistent, but anglers are tossing spoons and Rooter Tails to catch them once the school submerges around main lake sandbars.
Bass fishermen are still banging away at main lake ledges with big deep diving crankbaits, swim baits, Texas and Carolina rigged worms and even tossing finesse baits at times in hopes of enticing finicky bass to bite.
Hopping a hair jig with a craw type trailer is another summer bait that always seems to be on the rod of the summer bass fishermen’s arsenal.
Now that some cool weather has entered the fishing scene anglers need to make the most of it and get out and about. It’s a nice reprieve from the hot and humid conditions but it won’t last long.
09 Aug 2023
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
TYPICAL SUMMER FISHING SCENE FOR KENTUCKY LAKE
Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene this week is typical of mid-summer patterns and lake levels as the reservoir has been falling slowly and pretty much on track as to TVA’s drawdown curve.
Lake levels this week have been falling slowly with a weekend projection of 357.4. TVA is pushing some 40,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) through Kentucky Dam, which ample current to stimulate shad movement and keep the catfish bite going.
Watercolor remains clear. Surface temps are starting out the mornings around 85 degrees and rising to 88 around midday.
Several cloudy days have helped filter out a stubborn sun and that has worked in favor of anglers. Thunderstorms have been part of the forecast causing anglers to keep an eye on the sky.
Kentucky Lake’s catfish bite has been consistent as of late with some pretty good stringers showing up in the creel of anglers. Blue and channel catfish have been taken in good numbers in depths of 40 to 50 feet, but some were caught in the 30-foot range as well.
Most boats are targeting the main Tennessee River channel banks or other bends and turns in the channel where current is perhaps creating submerged eddies around sandbars or humps. Such spots are holding schools of shad who may be dodging the current or feeding on the zooplankton moving about in the water column.
Finding the balls of bait fish suspended or relating to deep topography will put anglers in touch with schools of hungry catfish. Watching sonar units and tracking the shad will pay dividends.
Summer catfish baits always seem to consist of nightcrawlers, chicken livers, cut-bait, hot dogs marinated in various stink bait brews and even some big minnows just to name a few. Some commercial baits are working too.
Scattered reports of white bass in the jumps have come in on the days when placid water is present. Windy days make it tough to see shad activity and surface feeding frenzies.
A few crappie have been caught by anglers working main lake areas in depths of 18 to 20 feet, but some anglers have found a few scattered fish lingering around submerged stake beds in 13-to-15-foot depths at times.
While most are relying on live minnows there are some anglers tipping jigs with minnows to entice bites.
Mayfly hatches are always a part of summer and they’re still occurring up and down the reservoir, especially in the aftermath of thunderstorms. You’ll find bass activity around the flies plus plenty of bluegill and various species feeding on Mother Nature’s buffet.
Bass fishermen continue to target main lake ledges for the most part. Tossing Texas rigged worms plus some Carolina rigs, deep diving crankbaits, swim baits and jig and craw combos are working too. A few night fishermen are tossing big bladed spinnerbaits along bride piers and rip-rap rock levees as well.
01 Aug 2023
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
CURRENT KEEPS CATFISH BITE GOING AT KENTUCKY LAKE
Kentucky’s Lake fishing scene this week is once again dominated by the mid-summer catfish bite. Although the current has diminished from late July there’s still enough flow to stimulate movement of baitfish and that’s the key.
TVA is pushing 29,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) through Kentucky Dam at present, which helps stimulate movement of shad schools that meander about, feeding on plankton and zooplankton. Anglers are targeting the balls of baitfish on sonar units and finding catfish hot on their trail.
Productive depth ranges have been 35 to 50 feet. Popular bait choices have been nightcrawlers, chicken livers, cut bait, catalpa worms (if you can find them), several commercial concoctions and hotdogs marinated in homemade garlic brews just to name a few. Like the cat fishermen summer bass anglers rely on the current to stimulate the bite.
Surface temps are in the 85-to-85-degree range. Watercolor is clear. Lake levels this week are in the 357.8 range, which is down a few inches from last week.
Bass fishing has been sluggish but some decent size fish have been taken on main lake ledges when current was present. Texas rigged worms, Carolina rigs, swim baits, big deep diving crankbaits and jig/craw combos have produced at times.
Night fishing has appealed to a few anglers attempting to beat the heat. Tossing a big spinnerbait along rip-rap shorelines, bridge piers and roadbeds has given up a few decent smallmouth.
Scattered sightings of white bass schooling and busting the surface in pursuit of meandering baitfish balls have been reported in main lake areas. The action has been inconsistent.
Crappie anglers are picking up a few on main lake ledges as they target deep structure in the 18-to-25-foot depth range. Most credit their catches to live minnows but some are tipping jigs with minnows to entice bites from finicky fish. The bite has been best in the early morning hours before a midday sun takes over and diminishes activity.
A few boats are trolling crankbaits out on main lake area sandbars and picking up a mixed bag of crappie, white bass, catfish, largemouth and an occasional sauger.
Mayfly hatches are still showing up around main river island areas. Using light tackle and casting Rooster Tails has been productive as have tossing crickets under slip bobbers. Assorted species are always feasting on the mayfly hatches.
During the summer doldrums it seems catfish is king of the fishing scene along Kentucky Lake as long as current is present.
20 Jan 2023
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
NEW
Water is coming up and down a lot right now. Can still catch some fish on current breaks when water comes up. Then when water falls you slide off the end of points with an Alabama rig and jerk bait. Happy fishing.
23 Dec 2022
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
NEW
It’s been very good this last week. But water is fixing to start rising and fish will be moving to the current breaks. Crank baits, jerk baits, rattle traps will be on fire. Mouth of creeks mouth of pockets anywhere a current break would be is going to be where the fish relate too. Happy fishing and merry Christmas.
14 Oct 2022
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
NEW
Fishing has been good as the cooler weather is coming. Top water bite is heating up on the main river shallow bars. Strike King sexy dawg has been the key player. Happy fishing.
07 Oct 2022
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
NEW
Fishing has been good as the top water bite is heating up. Shallow bars on main channel and also lead in banks going into the creeks have been the best. Strike King sexy dawgs and also whopper plopper have been the best producing baits.
01 Oct 2022
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
NEW
Fishing has been good as the top water bite is heating up. Shallow bars on main channel and also lead in banks going into the creeks have been the best. Strike King sexy dawgs and also whopper plopper have been the best producing baits.
16 Sept 2022
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
NEW
Fishing has been good, but they are all over the place. From the backs of creeks to the main river bars. Most productive have been shallow main river bars throwing top water. Fall is here and the spook bite is heating up. Happy fishing.
26 Aug 2022
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
NEW
Fishing has been steady. Water temps still very hot. Morning bite continues to the best. Top water, spinner bait, and also a Senko. Fishing shallow in the creeks about halfway back around wood and bank grass.
29 July 2022
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
NEW
Water temps are super high fishing has been best first thing in the morning. Top water fishing shallow points inside the creeks fish are up cruising chasing bait first thing in the mornings. You can go fish some brush piles when the sun comes up and get some bites on a big jig and worm. Happy fishing.
10 June 2022
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
NEW
Fishing has been great. Lots of fish to be caught shallow fishing bank grass. Top water baits have been really good first thing in morning then when sun comes out you can slow down and drag worms around wood and grass. Also, can catch some fish at mouth of creeks on points dragging a big football jig or big worm. Happy fishing.
27 May 2022
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
NEW
Kentucky lake bass fishing continues to be great. Still several fish shallow can catch them early in morning on top water and some on wood flipping a jig. Deeper points dragging a Carolina rig and also throwing a crank bait can produce bites also. Happy fishing!
13 May 2022
Kentucky Lake
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
NEW
Fishing has been great. Still can catch fish shallow flipping wood. Some fish are starting to move out as the water gets warm. Deeper creek channel turns points of creeks. Dragging a big worm and also a jig. Happy fishing!
22 April 2022
Kentucky Lake
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
Kentucky lake bass fishing is on fire. Fish are shallow spawning on any shallow cover. Soft plastic and jigs have been great. Slow fishing will produce bites. Early signs of a shad spawn fixing to happen as well. Happy fishing.
08 April 2022
Kentucky Lake
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
Kentucky lake bass fishing has been really good. Fish are in the backs of creeks waiting to spawn and some are spawning. Jigs, crank baits, and chatter baits have been working the best. Last deep water in backs of creeks they are holding waiting for the water to come up. Happy fishing.
25 March 2022
Kentucky Lake
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
Kentucky lake bass fishing is heating up!! Big largemouth are moving back in the creeks staging up. Catching them cranking, slow rolling a spinner bait, also a chatter bait. Smallmouth are still hanging around the mount of creeks on current breaks. Cranking and rattle trap have been key for the smallmouth. Happy fishing.
11 March 2022
Kentucky Lake
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
Kentucky lake bass fishing has been really good! Big weights have been winning tournaments. Fish are sitting on current breaks at moth of pockets and creeks also. Rattle traps and square bills have been a really big player. Happy fishing.
04 March 2022
Kentucky Lake
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
(Note- Tristan is fishing the Bassmaster Classic this weekend and will have a new report next week.) Fishing has been great, but the water is going up and down rapidly. Current still strong fish are positioning on current breaks such as points at mouths of creeks. Alabama rig and jerk baits still key baits.
25 Feb 2022
Kentucky Lake
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
Fishing has been great, but the water is going up and down rapidly. Current still strong fish are positioning on current breaks such as points at mouths of creeks. Alabama rig and jerk baits still key baits.
11 Feb 2022
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
Kentucky lake bass fishing is heating up. Warmer weather is slowly rising the water temp. Fish are getting more active and can catch them on reaction baits such as crank baits jerk bait and Alabama rigs. Channel swing banks on main river and creeks have been really good. Happy fishing.
21 Jan 2022
Kentucky Lake
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
Kentucky lake bass fishing is still great. Water temperature is still cold, but the fish are active. Alabama rigs, jerk baits, and also a jig have been the key baits lately. Mount of creeks near channel swings banks have been the most productive. Also, main channel ditch’s that dump into the river starting to see some fish school up. Can also catch them going down the bank on a crank bait such as a dt 10.
Jan 2022
Kentucky Lake
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
Kentucky lake bass fishing has been good lately. Fish are still keying on deep channel swing banks and main points at mount of creeks. Alabama rigs and jerk baits are the main players. Happy fishing.
17 Dec 2021
Kentucky Lake
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
Kentucky lake bass fishing report. Fishing has been great lately. Alabama rigs and jerk baits around channel swing banks and also ditches leading into creeks. You can also catch some on a football jig in brush piles. Happy fishing.
10 Dec 2021
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
Bass fishing is still great on Kentucky Lake. Large mouth and smallmouth have been hanging around channel swing banks in creeks and on main river. Key baits have been a jerk bait and also an Alabama rig.
03 Dec 2021
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
Kentucky lake bass fishing report is steady. Water temps falling off very quick. Alabama rig and jerk baits are key players right now. Channel swing banks inside of creek and also creek mouths at the river have been very good.
26 Nov 2021
Kentucky Lake
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
Fishing is still great at Kentucky Lake. With weather cooling off jerk bait and Alabama rig is fixing to be a big player. Deeper channel swing banks leading into creeks. But you can still catch some fish on top water on main channel shallow bars.
Mid Nov 2021
Kentucky Lake
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
Kentucky lake bass fishing report. Weather is cooling off fish are still very active. While most people are in the woods hunting you can still go out and catch some fish. Top water is still a main player. Shallow bars on main river along with mouths of creeks.
22 Oct 2021
Kentucky Lake
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
Kentucky Lake continues to fish well. Bait is everywhere from backs of creeks to the main lake. Top water has been the biggest success lately. You can still go in creeks and fish hard wood cover with a jig and soft plastics and catch them as well.
17 Sept 2021
Kentucky Lake
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
Kentucky lake is still fishing good. This cooler weather each day is going to have these fish schooling up on shallow bars where you can catch them on top water. Creeks are the most constant right now shallow grass with top water and soft plastics.
03 Sept 2021
Kentucky Lake
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
Kentucky lake bass fishing remains steady this week. The shallow bite has been the best. Chatterbaits spinner baits and soft plastics. The bite has been the best first thing in the mornings
27 Aug 2021
Kentucky Lake
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
Kentucky lake bass fishing remains steady this week. The shallow bite has been the best. Chatterbaits spinner baits and soft plastics. The bite has been the best first thing in the mornings
20 Aug 2021
Kentucky Lake
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
Kentucky lake bass fishing remains steady this week. The shallow bite has been the best. Chatterbaits spinnerbaits and soft plastics. The bite has been the best first thing in the mornings
13 Aug 2021
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
Kentucky lake bass fishing remains steady this week. The shallow bite has been the best. Chatterbaits spinner baits and soft plastics. The bite has been the best first thing in the mornings
06 Aug 2021
Kentucky Lake
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick – Follow on Facebook
Kentucky lake bass fishing this week has been decent. The shallow bite has been the best. Chatterbaits spinner baits and soft plastics. The bite has been the best first thing in the mornings
30 July 2021
Kentucky Lake
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick
FB: https://www.facebook.com/TristanM.Fishing
Kentucky lake it’s the dog days of summer. Brush piles are still producing on big worms and jigs. Depth from 12-20 feet deep. The very backs of creeks where the cool water is coming in has been a great way to catch fish. Shallow fish flipping any piece of shallow wood you run across with a soft plastic or jig.
23 July 2021
Kentucky Lake
Forecast Contributor Tristan McCormick
FB: https://www.facebook.com/TristanM.Fishing
Kentucky lake bass fishing has been good. Still lots of fish to be caught shallow on top water flipping baits and worms. Bank grass has been the best for shallow. Big bags are still be weighed in on brush piles out deep anywhere from 10-20 foot of water. Football jigs ole monster worms have been the key player for brush piles
09 July 2021
02 July 2021
25 June 2021
18 June 2021
11 June 2021
04 June 2021
28 May 2021
21 May 2021
Kentucky Lake – Tristan McCormick, https://www.facebook.com/TristanM.Fishing provides this report. Fish are heading out deep. Starting to see them schooled up on bars and ledges. Crank bait, dragging a jig have been very good. Shad spawn is starting to heat up can catch them early in morning on top water and chatterbaits.
14 May 2021
Kentucky Lake – Tristan McCormick https://www.facebook.com/TristanM.Fishing provides this report. The water is starting to stabilize. There are still several fish up shallow and may be caught while flipping, top water and several different other ways. There is lots of bait activity shallow. The shad spawn is starting. We’re starting to see some big largemouth group up on bars and creek drops. The bass are slowly getting further out.
07 May 2021
Tristan Mccormick provides this report. With the water rising the largemouth are following the water up. Creeks with bushes seem to be the best. Flipping baits such as craws and beavers. Several are still spawning. Smallmouth are already back out wide. Shallow bars and current breaks seem to be the best to find them grouped up. You will catch largemouth with them also. Cranking and dragging a Carolina rig.
30 April 2021
Kentucky Lake – Some crappie are still being caught by fishermen long lining roadrunners/jigs in water depths of 6-8 feet. Also, fishermen vertical fishing beds with success in 10-14 feet of water. He says there are other successful fishing methods going on like casting to beds/structure in various depths. A lot of people are rigging up for redear and bluegill and some catfish have been caught at various depths. Surface temperature was 67 plus degrees on Tuesday April 27, 2021 in the Paris Landing area of the lake. Also, last weekend’s (April 23-24) two-day American Crappie Trail tournament out of Paris Landing State Park was won with 14 crappie weighing 25.33 lbs. Big crappie of the tournament weighed 2.86 lbs. caught by the 3rd place team.
