Lake Conditions:  Fair - 59° / Lake Temperature  57° - 356.79'
Cadiz, Kentucky
Cadiz, Kentucky
Cadiz, Kentucky
Closer Than You Think

Spring Fever Affects Winter Anglers

Written by Steve McCadams - Published on March 5, 2020

That itch going around is contagious. It’s spring fever and a lot of anglers are getting it despite winter still being the official season.

Not to worry as spring is fast approaching and will officially arrive March 19. Blooming Bradford Pear trees and bright yellow buttercups that jumped out weeks ago are screaming early spring. Let’s hope so.

Smart are the anglers who keep their coveralls and overcoats close at hand. March has a reputation of being a mean and unstable month. Hope for the best but be prepared for the worst!

Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene is warming up thanks to some sunny days and light winds. Surface temperatures heated up this week and climbed to the 53 degree mark at midweek. Watch for that to increase another degree or two by this weekend if mild temps hang around.

Water color has cleared across much of the reservoir this week as falling lake levels pulled most of the dingy water out of bays and main lake areas since last week. That lake has a nice color at present.

TVA really pulled the plug last week, drawing the reservoir back down to winter pool range after a roller coaster ride of high water the previous two weeks.

Lake levels are expected to be in the 354.6 range by this weekend. That means the low ebb elevation will require boaters to be cautious when running up and down the reservoir or navigating back into secondary channels and bays.

This is the time of year when everyone best pay close attention to channel markers and resist the temptation to take those shortcuts out over main lake sandbars. Somewhere out there hides a stump or submerged sandbar that will damage your outboard’s lower unit and hurt you or your feelings should you neglect to apply caution.

Crappie anglers have a little more pep in their step this week courtesy of warmer days and light winds. A few fish are being taken in deep water by anglers tightlining jigs and bottom bumping minnow rigs. Depths of 20 to 25 feet have given up several fish lately.

Popular jig colors have ranged from black/chartreuse to blue/chartreuse, red/chartreuse and several variations of skirts sporting gold or silver metal flake. Both tube skirts and solid bodies have been paying dividends.

Tipped jigs with live minnows or Berkley Power bait have worked well too. Some anglers love using hair jigs and spraying various scents to entice bites as well.

The deeper depths are producing in the aftermath of falling lake levels recently that likely pulled a lot of baitfish out of shallow bays and flats with the crappie hot on their trail.

The pattern is not unusual when drastic changes in lake levels occur. Deeper sides of main lake ledges have been producing but watch for the fish to respond soon to the stability of lake elevation and weather patterns. Odds are crappie are now in the process of moving back up toward shallow to midrange depths.

Anglers who have voiced tough times while fishing midrange manmade fish attractors lately may see fish return to that locale soon. Depths of 8 to 12 feet may well start producing a few scattered fish once the shad return and bring the crappie with them.

While a few boats have been pulling long line techniques armed with curly tail grubs and horse head spinners, those vertical fishing seemed to have chalked up the better catches lately. The fish have been holding tight to cover.

It’s that time of year when things change fast and a variety of patterns will produce for Kentucky Lake crappie fishermen in the midst of the transition prespawn phase.

Bass anglers have been playing the current for the last few weeks and tossing a multitude of crankbaits, swim baits, jigs and even spinnerbaits at times around rip-rap where current was present. Island rims have been popular areas too.

With lake levels settling down watch for bass to move up to the gravel bank and point pattern, staging in the mouth of big bays as surface temps warm. Roadbeds will be popular too.

Crawfish variations will be popular color choices for the next few weeks. From Rattle Traps and Red-eye Shad style lures to some suspending jerkbaits; it’s that time of year on Kentucky Lake when you need to toss everything in the tackle box at times and let the fish decide what’s working!



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