Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
Kentucky Lake Fishing Report for:
March 22nd, 2002
HIGH LAKE LEVELS GREET ANGLERS
(Kentucky Lake On The Rise)
by
Steve McCadams
www.stevemccadams.com
Lake levels are rising fast this week on Kentucky
Lake. Heavy rains both here and upstream are sending lake stages above
summer pool elevation readings.
For anglers the quick change is yet another hurdle in a fishing
season that has been somewhat unusual already. Normally, dramatic
changes in lake stages, where fresh water enters the system, can really
scatter fish.
All the new water suddenly inundates flats and shoreline habitat
that was high and dry a few days ago. The fish tend to roam and follow
the new water as it enters new areas of the lake but that means they're
tough for anglers to pattern.
Middle and east Tennessee have had flooding earlier this week and
Kentucky Lake is inheriting a lot of water from upstream as TVA flushes
it through the system.
By midweek observed lake elevation in the Paris Landing area was
near the 359 mark. That's some five feet above the normal winter pool
readings that should be recorded at this time of year.
Anglers can expect to see shoreline buck bushes and trees with
plenty of water this weekend. Bass and crappie are likely to begin
moving into some of the structure this next week but just how much
remains to be seen.
Chances are, TVA will begin pulling lake levels back to the normal
curve for reservoir levels in an attempt to open up more storage
capacity should another series of heavy rains occur. That means falling
lake levels this weekend and into next week with a lot of current
present in the main river.
For bass anglers the current can be an asset as smallmouth and
largemouth are likely to relate to rock bluffs and submerged point near
the main lake were food is washed their way. Often muddy water will be
clear water at the mouth of the bays and such a scenario tells anglers
where the "mudline" might produce more strikes from bass.
The upper ends of the feeder creeks are likely to offer some white
bass action too as these fish spawn early and head up creeks this time
of year.
The higher lake levels aid the white bass efforts in venturing
upstream in creeks. Look for that action to improve in such areas as the
culvert at Big Sandy where bank fishermen often have success at this
time of year when high water is present.
Crappie anglers are likely to see fish scattered this next week as
the fish attempt to move up to shallow areas in their prespawn phases.
It's likely the fish will leave the deep main lake ledges and head to
shoreline habitat and secondary flats in the big creeks.
Surface temperatures have been staying around the 52 to 54 degree
range this week but could easily increase a few degrees if some warm
sunshine enters the picture.
Stained water color is present in much of the Big Sandy embayment
with some creeks quite muddy. The mouth of Big Sandy south to the
entrance of West Sandy is sporting a good color for fishing, however.
The main channel of the Tennessee River is quite muddy. Look for
that scenario to last for at least another week as swift currents will
continue as TVA begins lowering lake levels in the days ahead.
Techniques such as casting grubs on light spinning tackle around gravel
points and shallow stumps could produce some crappie action this next
week.
The fish are on the move and casting helps cover a lot of water.
Action may well improve in shallow, manmade crappie beds in 6 to 12 feet
this next week. Stained water is likely to be a factor in the Big Sandy,
West Sandy, and other bays in the area such as Bennett's Creek,
Leatherwood, Standing Rock, Lick Creek and others.
The stage is set for shallow action to improve for crappie anglers
as dingy water color and warming surface temperatures could coincide
this next week. Even with changing lake levels, action could turn on if
cold fronts will move out and allow spring weather to take over.
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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