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In Memory of
Keith Simmons from IN
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
MOOD OF CRAPPIE MYSTERIOUS TO MOST ANGLERS…LAKE LEVELS RECEDE
At a time when Kentucky Lake crappie should be making a blitz toward
spawning structure and anglers should be loading the boat with slabs it
has been somewhat challenging out there. Apparently the fish didn’t get
the memo!
After last week’s cold conditions traded places with southwest winds and
rising temperatures most fishermen thought the recipe was working in
their favor for a dramatic turnaround. All the signs pointed toward a
positive change.
Warm days and light winds. Surface temps crossing the threshold into the
62 to 63 degree range and rising. It’s the first full week of April and
that’s normally prime time for spawning phases of crappie here on the
big pond.
![](Kentucky-Lake-Fishing-for-C.jpg)
Jane and Tom TN Crew
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
High lake levels have no doubt been a factor to some degree as that has
a tendency to displace and scatter fish who roam and follow the rise to
various locales, bypassing their usual stair-stepping path to spawning
structure.
However, the mood of crappie this week has been a bit mysterious in the
opinion of most anglers. The fish have not targeted shallow to midrange
structure the way they normally do when such warmups occur.
Places that usually attract crappie as they move up to spawn have not
been appealing to the fish. That could change quickly but most shallow
structure in the 5 to 10 foot zones have yet to attract early spawning
crappie.
A few fish have been taken by boaters using long-line trolling methods
this week as the fish are staging offshore and suspended out over open
water areas.
Pulling Road Runner jigs in the orange/chartreuse and grape/chartreuse
have been good color choices. The success of long lining and spider rig
style techniques out away from the bank and over deeper water reflects
the present day comfort zone of crappie.
That technique allows boaters to slow troll over vast areas, covering a
lot of water and presenting multipole presentations of different colored
jigs to finicky crappie who are meandering around out there in la-la
land.
![](TomOcKentuckyLakeCrappieFis.jpg)
Tom and "OC" from Chicago
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
One bright spot has been the upper Big Sandy around the New Hope and
Country Junction sector as traditionally crappie follow the rise and
head up to that area in high water. That appears to be taking place now
as long-lining, drifting and spider rig techniques in that area are
producing decent stringers as fish occupy the flats in 7 to 13 feet.
Several dark male crappie have been taken there the last few days. That
may explain why activity has been off in the Paris Landing sector as
it’s not unusual for crappie to move and head up the Big Sandy where
waters warm quicker and the rising lake pushes them to head that
direction.
Watch for things to change, however, in the next few days as falling
lake levels could reposition the fish. The roller coaster conditions
continues!
Crappie have not been in the mood to navigate toward submerged
structures such as brush piles, stakebeds and shallow stump rows.
That behavior has been puzzling to many crappie anglers who like to
apply such methods as casting grubs around shorelines or shallow
structure. Also in disbelief are several anglers who spend long hours
and labor to sink manmade fish attractors such as stakebeds, concrete
filled buckets with various structures, treetops and such for spawning
fish habitat.
![](Kentucky-Lake-Crappie-Fish-.jpg)
Roger Binkley and Chase Binkley
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
Although a few fish have been taken by boaters using vertical
presentations of jigs and minnows around submerged structures at times
the overall bite has been off for that style at a time when it should be
heating up and productive.
A lot of fishermen are asking themselves where the fish have gone and
why the negative mood swing. Lake levels are likely influencing the
behavior of Kentucky Lake crappie these days.
Meanwhile, fishermen are hoping fish change their mind and perhaps make
a run toward active spawning phases by this weekend and throughout next
week. That’s a strong possibility.
This time of the year things happen quickly in the world of fishing.
Yesterday’s unproductive zones can rapidly appeal to the mood swings of
crappie on the verge of spawning.
Meanwhile, lake levels have stayed high and danced around the summer
pool elevation now for over a week. Readings were around the 359 range
at Kentucky Dam at midweek and are now falling slowly. TVA projects the
reservoir to fall six inches by this weekend with a projection of 358.5
by Friday and continue to recede.
![](DaveJeff-Kentucky--Lake-Cra.jpg)
Dave and Jeff KY Crew
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
Surface temperatures have continued to rise slowly. Readings on
Wednesday were in the 62 to 64 degree range and even warmer in the upper
end of Big Sandy and throughout some shallow bays.
Water color had cleared dramatically since last week as rising lake
levels seemed to push the muddy or stained water back.
Lake levels crested earlier this week and stayed at summer pool, which
is about 3 ½ feet above normal for this time of year. TVA’s projections,
which may start changing daily, were still showing the summer pool level
to continue as the weekend approaches but upstream at New Johnsonville
lake stages were starting to recede.
Just how much fluctuation will occur in the next few days is an unknown.
Odds are falling lake stages are in the future to some degree as TVA
will likely pull the reservoir back down to its normal curve in order to
create more storage capacity in the reservoir.
Bass fishermen are also watching changing lake levels with a cocked eye.
For over a week now water has inundated shoreline habitat and abundant
dead grass and some bushes and willows have sufficient levels to attract
bass.
With the rapidly rising surface temperatures bass are moving and
following the rise to the newly flooded shoreline habitat. Bass are in
prespawn phase but their biological clock will respond to the warming
conditions and abundant shoreline cover that has quickly provided
spawning territory.
That scenario has bass fishermen concerned. Rightfully so.
Bass anglers are monitoring lake levels and somewhat worried that fish
will dart toward shoreline structures that have now warmed sufficiently.
Some fish are likely to begin fanning spawning beds. And, if that
happens a drastic drop in lake levels could have a negative impact on
the survival rate.
Both bass and crappie anglers have a reason to be concerned at the
present time. Future year classes of fish may depend on what happens the
next two weeks as to Kentucky Lake’s elevation.
As to present day fishing reports bass fishermen have been tossing
spinnerbaits and floating fluke style worms and craws around shallow
grassbeds. Those abundant and popular yellow flowers are already
blooming in pockets and bays, a target area for early bass success.
Already in the arsenal of bass anglers have been some topwater jerkbaits
and buzz baits in addition to the floating worms.
Texas rigged craws and worms are producing as well. Lots of buck bass
are on the prowl in shallow cover.
For offshore style bassers current will continue to be part of the
fishing scene for the next week or two. Island rims and main lake areas
where bridge piers and rip-rap will be influenced by the current.
If you’ve been somewhat off balance by the roller-coaster lake levels
and weather lately you’re not alone. Odds are things may rapidly rebound
for crappie anglers. Bass anglers are beating the banks and wondering
what lies ahead but enjoying the warm weather that has now confirmed
spring’s arrival.
Kentucky Lake’s spring fishing scene has been both interesting and
perplexing at times!
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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