Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
Report for
February 15th, 2002
This week's fishing scene has a touch of
winter returning as cool
temperatures and some bone chilling winds have temporarily returned to
the region. However, moderate temperatures are in the forecast so
anglers should find warmer weather returning soon, accompanied by some
light south winds.
Kentucky Lake has been falling all week with present elevation
readings in the Paris Landing area right at the winter pool mark of 354.
The low lake stages have really exposed the sandbars, stump rows, and
various rocky points along the main river.
Water conditions in most of the bays are still showing some stain.
Surface temperatures remain in the 33 to 39 degree range as cool nights
have been a factor.
Crappie are hitting fair in the deep venues of the main lake. Some
fish are scattered in the 14 foot range while most of the activity
remains on the deep sides of ledges in the 18 to 24 foot zone. Several
small fish are being caught but concentrations of larger fish
have been hard to find for most anglers. Live minnows are working best
as anglers tightline the deep water ledges and work scattered stumps and
brush. Some fish are taking jigs tipped with minnows but most of the
crappie seem to prefer live minnows lately. A few large fish are mixed
in with the smaller ones but the bulk of fish taken this last week by
anglers seemed to be shy of the 10-inch minimum length limit.
Normally, falling lake levels at this time of the year send the
crappie back to the deep sides of main lake ledges where anglers often
find schools of hungry crappie awaiting them. Things could improve this
next week if warm weather and light winds return, allowing anglers to
slowly work the open water spots.
Bass action was slow this week as cooler weather seemed to keep the
largemouth in a dormant mode. Not much activity in the smallmouth
department either.
Some sauger action from the south end of the reservoir, now that
currents have settled down and lake elevation is back to normal for this
time of the year. Watch for improvement in sauger this next week in the
Pickwick, mouth of Duck River and New Johnsonville areas.
Catfish are still hitting in those deep holes along the main river.
And, some action still underway in the New Johnsonville Steam Plant
harbor where warm waters attract schools of shad this time of year.
With the return of low lake levels, many bass and crappie anglers
are out scouting the structure and building their own manmade fish
attractors.
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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