Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
Kentucky Lake Fishing Report for:
March 29th, 2002
Changing lake levels have dominated the fishing
scene the last few days here on Kentucky Lake. Anglers have also had to
battle high winds and cold fronts that continue to pester the patterns
of crappie and bass.
After dramatic increases in lake stages late last week, due to
flooding upstream, the reservoir has been on a fast drawdown with a
decline in elevation of more than a foot per day in some areas.
Here in the Paris Landing area observed lake elevation was changing
almost by the hour early this week. Readings of 357.5 were seen on
Monday morning, a decline of more than two feet since Saturday.
According to TVA, lake stages were expected to stabilize by Friday.
Projections are for lake levels to remain in the 355.2 range this
weekend. Normal reservoir filling begins each year on April 1 so it's
likely a slow rise will begin later next week.
There's been a lot of current in the main river this week. Muddy
water is still present in the main channel and some of its tributaries.
Some of the larger bays are beginning to show dingy water but still a
good color for fishing.
The upper Big Sandy basin and West Sandy are still sporting dingy
watercolors. Such bays as Eagle, Swamp, Cypress, Standing Rock, and
Leatherwood are clearing some but still holding on to dingy colors from
heavy rains and runoff.
Surface temperatures are still lingering in the 52 to 55 degree
range as cool nights and north winds are holding off any attempts at
warmer readings.
Crappie are still slower than they should be as to overall activity.
The fish, like the anglers who pursue them, have been confused by the
changing lake levels, cold fronts and high winds this week.
Still in the prespawn phases, not many fish have been taken in
shallow water this week but some activity hints that movements are
underway. Shad were more visible in shallow water and some fish were
taken in 7 to 9 foot stakebeds, brushpiles, and stumps in the Paris
Landing area.
I found some scattered fish moving up to 7-foot zones Monday
afternoon. Florescent chartreuse jig heads and skirts, tipped with
Berkley Power Bait Crappie Nibbles were producing for me. However fish
were finicky in their strike patterns.
Should lake levels stabilize and sunshine return later this week,
anglers will likely see a quick turnaround in activity as the fish are
ready to move up near spawning areas. Some fish were being taken in 4 to
6 foot structure in the upper Big Sandy and West Sandy areas as waters
there often warm quicker.
Expect overall crappie action to improve quickly by this weekend if
sunshine returns. Although not many male crappie have shown hormonal
changes by sporting a dark color, that will likely change too as they
head to shallow gravel and stumps on points near the mouths of big bays.
Some crappie were hitting in the deep flats near Sulphur Well Island
this week and south of the power lines at Mansard Island Resort. Depths
of 12 to 15 feet were accounting for some good stringers as anglers
drifted and slow trolled jigs where crappie are staging in the open
water.
Although a structure oriented fish by nature, crappie will often
suspend in open water areas as they await warmer conditions. Then, once
surface temperatures reach the upper 50's and low 60's, they will make a
blitz toward spawning areas.
Falling lake levels, coupled with cold conditions earlier this week
have kept some fish from entering shallow water venues here in the Paris
Landing area but that's about to change.
Bass are hitting good near rock points where wind is blowing in.
And, several rip-rap levees and gravel roadbeds are holding some nice
fish too. Fire-tiger colored crankbaits and some crawfish colors were
producing, along with jig and pig combos in the black and blue colors.
A lot of current is cutting around main lake points where bass are
laying on the down current sides of rocks or anything that breaks the
flow. Various loud colored crankbaits are producing in the muddy waters.
Some smallmouth are showing up too as anglers work the mouths of
creeks and rock bluffs.
Generally speaking, a lot of movement could take place in the days
ahead as water levels stabilize and coincide with warmer weather. Look
for improvements in the crappie and bass departments by the upcoming
weekend.
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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