Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
Report for December 28th, 2001
Fishing has been somewhat affected by the arrival of
cold weather this week. Some bone chilling winds a few days before
Christmas has most anglers staying next to the fire and tossing a log or
two on it instead of tossing a lure.
Crappie anglers who love winter fishing will see their favorite time
get back to normal this upcoming week. Lake levels have settled down and
that should make the fish more predictable this upcoming week.
Observed lake elevation in the Paris Landing area of Kentucky Lake
was 354.5. TVA's forecast indicates stable lake stages for the next few
days. Surface temperatures were in the 33 to 35 degree range since the
cold front arrived. A few shallow coves were sporting a thin layer of
ice but up in the day that disappeared due to wind and a slight warming.
Deep water will likely be the story for anglers in the weeks ahead
as those main lake ledges will harbor most of the crappie. Once cold
weather arrives, the bulk of the shad populations head to deep water
where they find more of a comfort zone.
Threadfin shad, which is the main food forage for Kentucky Lake
crappie and bass, easily go into shock when sudden temperatures changes
occur. If they stay in shallow water too long, those cold fronts send
surface temperatures down quickly and that often kills thousands of the
tiny baitfish.
Therefore, the shad find their comfort zones in deep water once cold
weather arrives and the crappie aren't far behind. That's why anglers
should concentrate on the deep sides of main lake creek channels,
sloughs, and any irregular humps where structure can be found. Depths of
20 to 25 feet are often the most productive zones this time of year.
Bottom bumping rigs armed with live minnows will produce well. And,
veteran crappie anglers love to tightline those 1/8 or quarter-ounce
jigs where colors can be changed from time to time, depending on the
desire of the fish and the stain of the water.
For The Lake Barkley Report
Click Here
For Other Kentucky Lake 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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