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December 23, 2011
ANGLERS ENJOY MILD WEATHER AS WINTER OFFICIALLY ARRIVES
Winter fishing officially began Wednesday as that was the day seasons
changed according to the calendar. Kentucky Lake anglers have had mild
weather lately that has seemed like fall was going to hold on a while
longer but fishermen aren’t complaining; conditions have been pretty
good for bass and crappie anglers who know this time of year it can
change quickly.
Meanwhile, TVA has really pulled the plug on lake levels the last week
to ten days. The reservoir was resting at winter pool level this week
after surging more than five feet recently. Lake levels have fallen
about as fast as they came up when recent rains flooded many areas.
Once the Tennessee River crested TVA really spilled water through
Kentucky Dam and lake levels were falling almost a foot each day for
several days running. At midweek the reservoir bottomed out at 354.3 in
the New Johnsonville area and 354.2 at Kentucky Dam.
Forecasts for the weekend indicate a slight rise will occur with
projections of 354.5 at Kentucky Dam. Lake levels in the New
Johnsonville area will be 355.1. Rain was entering the picture as this
report was updated.
Water color has had some stain in the Tennessee River channel and
backwater while the mouth of Big Sandy has been relatively clear.
Surface temperatures have been staying in the 49 to 51 degree range as
mild nights and above average temperatures during the day have kept the
water slightly above normal for this time of year.
Although falling lake levels have been part of the fishing scene for the
last ten days, crappie anglers have managed to score some decent
catches. The pattern continues to be deep drop-offs in the main lake
where crappie have been relating to the 18 to 23 foot depth range at
times or suspended near the break where brush or stumps are located.
Tightlining jigs in the orange/chartreuse, purple/clear, red chartreuse,
and some blue/chartreuse have been a few of the popular color
combinations. Live minnows have also paid dividends.
A few bass were also hitting as some anglers have played the current
lately and taken fish around rip-rap and some bridge piers at times.
Also giving up some fish were long sandbars near the main channel were
current was pushing shad into the areas. Rattle Traps and some Carolina
rigged craws were producing.
A few boats were fishing for sauger in the Paris Landing area and down
near Danville Bridge and further south toward New Johnsonville and the
mouth of Duck River but low numbers were taken.
It appears some cooler weather will arrive on Christmas Day but nothing
too severe is in the forecast so anglers may have decent fishing
conditions next week as well.
Also check out our past:
Kentucky Lake Fishing Reports
Steve McCadams is one of the nation's best known Crappie Fishermen
and a full time resident of Paris, Tennessee. Steve is also a
professional hunting and fishing guide here in the Paris Landing area.
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