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Great day crappie fishing Daryl Newport and Danny Richard
Photo curtsey of
Crappie Action
Guide Service
WINTER WOES FOR ANGLERS…DID YOU REMEMBER TO RENEW LICENSES?
When will it ever end? That’s what Kentucky Lake anglers have been
asking themselves these last few weeks as winter woes continue. Cabin
fever is indeed running rampant.
This week has been a roller coaster of temperatures mixed with rain,
wind, sleet and snow. The weatherman hasn’t delivered decent fishing
conditions for a long time but while most everyone has been down in the
dumps, remember that every day brings us closer to spring, which this
year officially arrives on March 20th. That’s about two weeks away for
those of you counting it down.
Kentucky Lake’s elevation is now rising slowly due to recent rains and
runoff from all the snow melt. After sleeping a few days at the low ebb
of winter pool, lake levels will be 355.3 at Kentucky Dam this weekend
and 356 upstream at New Johnsonville. Watch for those projections to
increase in the days ahead.
Surface temperatures were around 41 degree at midweek after Tuesday’s
short warm spell but are now falling and will likely dip a degree or two
by this weekend. Water color is dingy in several bays and creeks as the
runoff brings in sediments.
Bass and crappie anglers have been in a holding pattern as conditions
have not been suitable. Not many boats have ventured out this week.
However, temperatures are expected to climb back into the low 50’s later
this weekend so it appears there is a ray of hope in the forecast.
March is a month when things can change quickly. It appears the cool
snap now underway will move out by this weekend and if so, next week’s
weather could see a quick rebound of decent fishing conditions as
temperatures moderate.
Crappie action should improve for anglers once they get back to open
water venues where the main lake ledges should be holding fish on
drop-offs around the 17 to 22 foot depth range. And, watch for a few
fish to occupy some stakebeds and other structure in midrange depths too
as it’s not unusual to see a few scattered fish transitioning to shallow
areas in pursuit of shad once surface temps rebound.
Gravel banks and rocky points should begin to produce bass very soon as
the crankbait pattern is always popular throughout March. The
traditional pattern on Kentucky Lake this time of year see some hefty
bass taken on crawfish colored crankbaits with some loud colors such as
firetiger being popular choices if dingy water lingers.
Jig and craw combos and Alabama rigs can be productive too in the weeks
ahead as well as Carolina rigged craws cast on sloping gravel and rocky
point where bass will begin staging. Sometimes just open muddy banks can
produce too.
Bad weather can’t last forever and it may well lose its grip by early
next week.
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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