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This page brought to you by:
Keith, Bob, and Tom from Indiana February 2017
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
Crappie Action
Guide Service
DANCE CONTINUES FOR WINTER ANGLERS
Play it again Sam! And for winter crappie fishermen on Kentucky Lake the
piano man is doing just that.
Winter or Spring? Weather Plays Tricks on Minds of Anglers
For February 23, 2017
Report for Kentucky Lake from Paris Landing to New Johnsonville
Buttercups have been in bloom for weeks. Bradford pear and saucer
magnolia are budding out loud with their beautiful displays of white and
pink. Bugs are buzzing.
What’s up with this weather?
Although a cool snap is entering the picture by this weekend the
weatherman says it will make a short stop, bringing a brief hiatus to
the unseasonably warm weather that has dominated the winter fishing
scene for several weeks running.
Is it winter or spring? Are the fish ahead of schedule and confused?
Will spawning phases start early this year?
Those are just a few of the questions on the minds of anglers these days
who are somewhat in awe of the unusual weather. No one can recall a
February quite like the one underway.
Surface temperatures this week on Kentucky Lake climbed into the 56 to
58 degree range at midweek! That’s practically unheard of in
mid-February.
Before February got here it was warm back in December and January too.
It’s fair to say more anglers have taken to the water this winter than
ever before. Both bass and crappie fishermen have had things going their
way for quite a spell.
Lake levels this week fell slowly and have flirted with the winter pool
mark or even a few inches below at times. TVA projected an elevation
this weekend of 354.6 at Kentucky Dam. Upstream at New Johnsonville the
reservoir is expected to be in the 354.1 range.
Water color remains clear across most of the reservoir. A slight stain
was present in a few bays but overall it’s clear out there.
Crappie anglers continues to score decent numbers as those light winds
and warm days have been just what the doctor ordered. Although not
everyone is landing a limit there have been some pretty good stringers
taken with depths varying depending on what area of the reservoir
anglers are targeting.
In the Paris Landing sector most of the big stringers have come from
deep water. Those fishing jigs in 20 to 25 foot depths have chalked up
the most consistent catches lately.
Yet there’s no doubt fish are on the move and responding to the warmer
surface temps. A transition during the day toward shallow zones is not
unusual.
Popular jigs colors have ranged from white/chartreuse to
orange/chartreuse and electric chicken. Some are tipping jigs with
minnows and having positive results as well.
Seems there’s always more than one pattern working here on the big pond
as not all fish are deep. Some boats are vertical fishing jigs over
manmade fish attractors in midrange depths and catching enough to keep
it interesting. Depths of 6 to 10 feet have given up a few.
Most boats were targeting main lake ledges this week in the open waters
of Big Sandy but a few hung around inside large bays and picked up some
scattered fish.
Elsewhere on the reservoir anglers were finding shallow crappie around
midrange structure using such methods as casting techniques and slip
bobbers to slow spider rig style presentations and single pole vertical
offerings. Most of the boats fishing deep water in the main lake were
slow trolling spider rigs but some long-lining of twister tail grubs and
Road Runner spinners were catching fish too.
All crappie anglers are reminded the new daily creel limit of twenty
(20) fish kicks in on March 1 in Tennessee. The Kentucky portion of the
reservoir has been under the twenty daily creel limit for several years.
And, the 10-inch minimum length limit remains in place.
Bass fishermen have been finding some big fish this week taking a liking
to their shad and crawfish colored variation crankbaits.
Most have been working gravel banks, sloping rock points, shallow
roadbeds and boat docks or piers. Shallow running crankbaits have worked
well as have some suspending jerk baits, swim baits, jig and pig combos
and even spinnerbaits fished in a slow roll retrieve.
Rattle Trap style baits have paid dividends too in assorted colors.
A few boats are putting the shoreline to their backs and working some
main lake ledges. Some were falling back near main river areas in hopes
of finding some smallmouth but no doubt the warmer surface temperatures
have fish moving up throughout the course of the day.
The shallow bite for bass fishermen may take a brief detour with the
approaching cold front but watch for that to resume early next week as
temps are forecast to rebound toward 70 degrees by Tuesday.
Both bass and crappie anglers are wondering what the fish will do if
warm weather continues to dominate. No doubt their biological clock has
advanced.
It has been weird to see spring conditions at a time when ice and snow
could easily be calling the shots. No complaints, however, from the
realm of anglers with fishing fever.
Just how long the parade will last is anyone’s guess. Enjoy the music
until the band stops playing!
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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