Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
Kentucky Lake Fishing Report for:
May 31st, 2002
KENTUCKY LAKE FISHING IMPROVES
(WATER LEVELS HEADED BACK TO NORMAL)
Water levels on Kentucky Lake are headed back to
normal. Anglers, boaters, campers, resort operators, waterfront property
owners, and most all recreationalists are glad to see the waters
receding.
Fishing is improving for most all species and anglers should see
increased success in the crappie, bass, and catfish department in the
week ahead. And, while bluegill are due to slow down and scatter as they
approach a post-spawn period, activity has been very good lately.
Presently, Kentucky Lake is falling about six inches each day. The
reservoir will likely be back to summer pool (359) by early next week.
Observed elevation at Kentucky Dam on Wednesday was 362.4 but expected
to fall to a reading of 361.8 by Thursday night.
Upstream at New Johnsonville the observed elevation on Wednesday was
362.1 but expected to fall to 361.6 within 24 hours.
Surface temperatures were in the 75 to 79 degree range. Water color
is clear in the mouth of the Big Sandy River and in most of its bays.
Some stained water is present in the main Tennessee River and along its
main lake flats and islands.
Bluegill continue to hit very well as their spawning phases
continue. Some hefty stringers in the 200-plus numbers have been taken
daily as anglers toss crickets around the backs of bays where a sandy,
gravel type bottom exist.
The fish have been fanning their crater-shaped beds as a full moon
returns. Look for action to continue for another week and then bluegill
will begin to scatter back to main lake shorelines and islands in
preparation for upcoming mayfly hatches.
Crappie have improved and some decent stringers are coming from deep
stakebeds and brushpiles, along with submerged stump rows and brush in
main lake flats and creek channels.
Jigs tipped with live shiner minnows are producing in depths of 13
to 15 feet. Unpainted leadheads with such skirt colors as aqua blue with
metal flake, clear with sparkle, purple/chartreuse, and dull colored
motor oil with red metal flake.
Shiner minnows fished on the deep sides of main lake ledges in
22-foot zones are also producing some decent crappie. The fish are in
their post-spawn phase and quite thin but showing signs of improvement
in their biting habits.
Bass anglers have been taking advantage of some cloudy days and
finding action good on outside bushes, submerged grassbeds, and island
points. Current is a factor now on the main river and many anglers are
using it to their advantage as they work Carolina rigs around rock
points and bridges, along with shad colored crankbaits.
Flipping and pitching lizards and worms around visible structure is
working well too. Look for an improvement in topwater action this next
week as clear water lends itself to use of jerk baits around shoreline
structure.
Some smallmouth have been taken on main lake points as anglers toss
crankbaits and jigs. White bass have been showing up too as anglers
troll deep diving crankbaits and work rock points where current is
present.
Catfish have improved and many are still relating to the rock banks
and bluffs. However, several have been taken in backwater flats and bays
as the fish prowl spawning territory around logs. It's common for
bluegill anglers to catch several catfish around the bream beds as the
bigger fish feed on the "fry" that are hatching.
Nightcrawlers, cut shad, and liver have been the baits of choice for
ole' whiskers.
Anglers can expect things to improve in the week ahead as the lake
gets back to normal elevation and fishing patterns take on their usual
locations.
It appears a good hatch of young of the year bass, bluegill, shad
and other species is present in the shallow grass and bushes. The high
water has offered quite a refuge to the young fish as they're quite
vulnerable to predators. Having the abundance of grass and shoreline
habitat to hide behind has definitely increased survival rates.
Some gravel banks, shorelines, and boat ramps have had severe
erosion during the high water. Several trees have fallen along the main
lake shoreline and islands. Although they increase fishing habitat, they
can also serve as boating hazards.
# # #
NOTE:( Steve's Third Annual "Casting For A Cure" Kids Fishing Rodeo,
which benefits The American Cancer Society, will be held June 8, 2002.
Location will again be Carroll Lake, located near McKenzie, TN.)
(For news release on Steve's Second Annual "Casting For A Cure" Kids
Fishing Rodeo...click
here)
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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