Fishing Report Archives

Lake levels crested Wednesday across Kentucky Lake after sleeping at more than two feet above normal summer pool the last week or so. Now, temperatures are rising as lake levels recede.

The reservoir crested in the 361.3 range and is now falling several inches each day. By the weekend or early next week odds are normal summer pool elevation of 359 will return.

It has been a spring of variables. That may sound like a broken record but stability just hasn’t been in the cards for anglers these last few months. The roller coaster has been stuck in the “on” position for both lake levels and weather this year.

Water color has been quite clear. Up until midweek a lot of floating debris was present in the main lake and channel areas causing some challenges for boaters at times but things are quickly getting back to normal.

Surface temperatures this week were starting out in the mornings around 74 to 75 degrees and climbing to 79 by mid-afternoon. Watch for temps to cross the 80 degree threshold by this weekend after several consecutive days of hot weather influence the fishing scene.

Crappie are showing signs of improvement in the post-spawn phase and slowly returning to a structure oriented pattern. There were a few days lately when high barometric pressure seemed to subdue the bite as fish were somewhat lethargic.

Added to the saga of high water levels then falling lake stages and anglers were facing some challenges at times with finicky fish. However, once southwest winds returned and delivered some cloud cover the fish seemed to have a mood swing in the right direction as the bite improved, especially in the early morning hours.

Depths of 11 to 14 feet have been giving up a few fish, although scattered best describes the scenario earlier this week. Fish should improve by this weekend and early next week as they acclimate better to midrange stakebeds and brushpiles in main lake areas.

Live minnows have worked well but tipping a jig with a minnow or Berkley Power Bait in white or chartreuse colors has paid dividends at times.

Popular jig colors during the clear water period have ranged from clear blue with sparkle to grape/chartreuse or motor oil gold glitter combos.

In addition to the vertical presentation patterns such as slow trolling crankbaits and Road Runners out over main lake ledges and midrange flats have given up a few.

Although the first week of June sort of had a sluggish start the crappie bite should soon improve.

Bluegill and shellcracker fishermen were hoping for a late spawning surge as a full moon was scheduled to arrive on Friday (June 5th) but activity has been below average as of late. Not many anglers have found the powerful panfish bedding around shallow grass and bushes this week.

Attempts to find bluegill fanning open water beds have been have left most anglers disgusted and dismayed. The high lake levels should have sent more bluegill to shoreline buck bushes and weed beds but that hasn’t been the case.

Many veteran bluegill and shellcracker fishermen have been caught off-guard this spring as traditional spots have not paid dividends. In summary; the fish have thrown a curve to most anglers as to their peak spawning phases and whereabouts.

Presently, crappie fishermen working the midrange stakebeds are encountering bluegill residing out there in 11 to 14 foot depths as they constantly tag a jig or live minnow with their machine gun style bite, which is annoying at times.

Bass fishermen have been backing off the banks already and starting to work main lake ledges, humps and sloping points at the mouth of big bays as fish transition in their post-spawn phase. Some boats are targeting those summer spots already while others are still banging away at the banks where high water has offered a lot of appealing habitat.

While main lake patterns have anglers tossing big Texas rigged worms, jig and craw combos, Carolina rigs, swim baits and some deep diving crankbaits others are still finding enough shallow bass to keep them busy.

Plenty of water in weedbeds and buck bushes has kept a few anglers pitching and flipping. And, tossing a gold willow leaf spinnerbait and floating fluke style worm over shallow grass has given up a few fish too.

The early morning and late afternoon bite has been fair for some using topwater around visible shoreline cover. The habitat begs for a buzzbait, chatterbait or various floating jerkbaits at times.

As surface temps warm this week and current enters the picture watch for the bite to improve for the deeper water patterns but at the same time island rims with current can be quite productive once baitfish are located.

Catfish continue to bite for anglers and some larger fish have been taken around bridge piers lately. There are still fish up around some rocky banks in places but some large fish have been taken by anglers bottom bumping or targeting suspended fish in the 25 to 35 foot depths range.

Current will be a factor the next few days as TVA is pushing a lot of water through Kentucky Dam until the reservoir falls back to summer pool levels.

With the warm days dominating the weather picture and surface temps on the rise summer fishing patterns may kick in sooner than later.