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Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
Steve McCadams'
Kentucky Lake Fishing Report for:
June 30th, 2006
This week’s fishing report shows Kentucky
Lake’s elevation staying around the summer pool level of 359.1 at New
Johnsonville and slightly higher at Kentucky Dam where the reading was
359.2 at midweek.
Lake levels have been relatively stable
this week and should remain that way going into the weekend, according
to TVA forecasts.
Surface temperatures are reflecting the
arrival of summer with readings in the 81 to 85 degree range this week
across most of the reservoir. Most mornings start out with readings in
the low 80’s and rise a few degrees by midday.
Watercolor remains clear throughout most
of the reservoir. A few shallow bays have some stain after brief
thunderstorm runoff but not enough to influence the main lake areas.
Bass anglers are still finding a lot of
fish chasing pin minnows around shallow weed beds, willow trees, blown
down trees on river islands, and boat houses and piers. The schools of
minnows attract bass to shallow areas even in hot weather.
Spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, Texas rigged
worms, and floating fluke style baits are producing well in shallow
areas for bass fishermen.
Main lake ledges are still holding the
larger fish and anglers continue to work them with big deep diving
crankbaits, Carolina rigged lizards, Texas rigged worms, jig and pork
combos, and even some one-ounce spinnerbaits rolled slowly along the
sandbars.
A few anglers are tossing 9 to 10-inch
long worms and working them slowly on Texas rigs and Carolina rigs.
Crappie appear to be moving more toward
deeper venues as surface temperatures warm. There’s still a lot of
smaller fish lingering in that 11 to 14 foot zone but a lot of those
stakebeds and brushpiles that were giving up good size crappie earlier
in the month are holding fewer of the big fish.
Main lake ledges are producing some
crappie for anglers working minnows and jigs along the deeper sides of
the drop-offs. Popular depth ranges have been 16 to 25 feet where
structure is located.
Summer crappie will likely hang out there
on the main lake ledges until early September when they will return to
midrange depths during their fall transition patterns.
If you know how to find those deep ledges
you can have some good summer crappie fishing however. And, a few
anglers are having success while night fishing for crappie under
floating lights.
Mayfly hatches have returned this week
too and watch for a big hatch to occur this next week. Seems there is
always a huge mayfly hatch around the Fourth of July along the shores of
Kentucky Lake.
Catfishermen continue to score along the
Tennessee River but there hasn’t been too much current this week. As the
hot days arrive watch for current to pick up around mid-morning as power
demands have TVA pulling water through the system.
Several catfish are hanging out around
those midrange depths as my clients have tied into three or four each
day while crappie fishing. This week we landed several as that jig and
minnow seemed to appeal. Largest one tipped the scaled at seven pounds
or so but on light tackle that’s a lot of fun.
Catalpa worms are out now so that’s
always a good natural bait for catfishermen. And, nightcrawlers, chicken
liver, big minnows, and some shad guts are also working well.
A few white bass and sauger are showing
up as anglers troll crankbaits along main river ledges. The crankbaits
catch just about everything from crappie to big drum too!
With summer fishing patterns underway,
you can beat the heat with those early morning and late afternoon trips.
Catch a day with some cloud cover and a light breeze and it’s not all
bad out there. Sure makes that iced tea taste good if you have some
nearby!
For The Lake Barkley Report
Click Here
Also check out our past:
Kentucky Lake Fishing Reports
Steve McCadams
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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