Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
Report for April 6th, 2001
SPAWNING TIME AT HAND FOR
KENTUCKY LAKE CRAPPIE
By Steve McCadams
Warmer weather finally arrived for area anglers this week, sending
surface temperatures into the mid to upper 50's. By early next week it
appears crappie will begin spawning as they begin their annual ritual
when surface temperatures reach 62 to 66 degree range.
Since last week more male crappie are showing up along the shallow
areas and running the gravel banks. In some areas of West Sandy and
upper Big Sandy around the Country Junction area, fish are being caught
in 3 to 5 foot depths.
Stained water in that portion of Kentucky Lake seems to warm
quicker every year and most of the basin is relatively shallow.
Stakebeds and brushpiles in the backs of coves have yielded some dandy
crappie this week and should continue to produce this next week.
Presently, Kentucky Lake's recorded elevation in the Paris Landing
area is 356 and rising slowly. Surface temperatures were in the 53 to 56
degree range earlier this week but were warming a few degrees each day
heading into the weekend.
Water color in the Paris Landing area is somewhat clear at the
mouth of Big Sandy River while a little stain remains on the Tennessee
River side.
Most of the crappie in that area are selecting the 8 to 12 foot
depths and have yet to move up on the shallow structure in large
numbers, although a few scattered fish are being taken there. And, some
deep water ledges in the 16 to 22 foot range are still holding some
hefty females.
Each spring crappie migrate from the main Tennessee River into
Big Sandy and head toward the upper basin and West Sandy area for
spawning. Generally speaking, the spawn begins earlier in those areas.
Such popular areas as the flats in and around the TVA power lines
of the Mansard Island sector always hold some fish at this phase of the
spawn. Crappie move through the area and the scattered stumps in 10 to
15 foot depths really appeal to the meandering crappie who occupy such
areas in their staging phases.
Once conditions are favorable, the fish will head toward shallow
areas searching for structure such as stumps, bushes, stakebeds and
brushpiles. It 's kind of a stair-step approach as their movements occur
in phases dictated by weather, water color and lake levels.
Right now, a variety of techniques are producing for local anglers
ranging from slow trolling with multi-pole rigs to deep water bottom
bumping presentations as fishermen drift along and find scattered fish
with an appetite.
Also productive is the technique of casting. Using light spinning
tackle, anglers are finding success as they cast small jigs in the 1/16
to 1/8 ounce size. Working the grubs around submerged stakebeds and
stumps is a deadly method this time of year. It allows anglers to lay
back away from shallow areas without spooking finicky fish in clear
water.
Meanwhile, the male crappie are turning dark as their hormonal
changes send their pigment to a dark purple. A handsome fish during the
peak of spawning, male crappie will come to the shallows first and begin
selecting spawning areas.
Female crappie often hold out away from the shallow spawning
structure until conditions are ideal. Then, they move in and deposit
their eggs along the woody structure such as roots, logs, limbs, etc.
Kentucky Lake is a huge reservoir with many diverse fishing
opportunities. It's not unusual to find many different patterns
producing positive results at the same time. Furthermore, the reports of
different depths are also true as in a single day fish can be taken from
a wide variety of areas.
This next week will see spawning begin so anglers should see some
hefty stringers coming from depths of less than 10 feet.
Always a concern among the ranks of crappie anglers is the water
level and weather forecast. Thus far, the slow rise has been pretty good
for both the anglers and the fish.
Cold fronts can slow the spawn for a few days too. Bone chilling
north winds can push things back and change the fishing literally
overnight. So, anglers are keeping their fingers crossed in hopes of
stable weather this next week.
Keep those chartreuse shades of jig skirts handy and don't forget
about tipping them with live minnows. There have been some days lately
when the minnow has been the choice bait but adding a minnow to the jig
has been equally appealing.
Been waiting for warm weather and the fishing to heat up? Wait no
longer as the stage is set for a good week of crappie fishing right here
on Kentucky Lake.
For Previous Fishing Reports
Click Here
Steve McCadams
is a professional hunting and fishing guide
here in the
Paris Landing area and host of The Outdoor Channel's television series IN-PURSUIT.
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