Fishing Report Archives

Kentucky Lake anglers are about to wave goodbye to the pumpkin month as November enters the picture. October was a pretty good month for the lion’s share of anglers as it delivered some nice stable weather the majority of the time. There were a few hurdles mixed in there with a cool snap or two and a nasty wind here and there but overall the month lived up to its reputation of stability.

Some rain this week sort of dampened the spirits of anglers for a few days, paving the way for a cool start to November. However, the long range forecast shows temps rebounding by next week as warmer days and stability lies ahead.

November usually offers some nice weather too as the fall bite should continue to hold up for bass, crappie and catfish anglers. It’s that time of year when a mixture of weather is part of the picture so dress in layers and take the raingear. Remember; you can always take it off!

Lake levels this week started off low as TVA had pulled the reservoir down to 354.4 for a few days but a slight rise shows the elevation will be 354.7 going into the weekend. Heavy rains at midweek could see the reservoir rise several inches by early next week.

Surface temperatures have stayed in the 64 to 68 degree range. Water color remains clear.

Crappie anglers are still finding enough fish to keep it interesting as a few limits were taken this past week. Up Big Sandy and across West Sandy a few decent stringers were taken by anglers vertical fishing jigs and minnows over manmade fish attractors in 6 to 9 foot depths.

Shallow to midrange depth stakebeds and some brushpiles have been producing fish south of the power lines in Big Sandy. Around the Paris Landing sector fish seem to be a little deeper with the most productive depth being 9 to 13 feet.

A few anglers have experimented and found some scattered fish along main lake ledges in 17 to 22 foot depths but no concentration of fish have been found deep.

Popular jig colors are ranging from grape/chartreuse to black/red/gray feather jigs at times. Some chartreuse with red glitter and even yellow/chartreuse have been good choices some days. Experimenting with color combinations is always part of the chase when it comes to fooling finicky Kentucky Lake crappie.

Clear water color has made crappie somewhat finicky in the shallow structure unless wind and cloud cover combined.

Bass anglers are landing a few fish along gravel road beds and banks plus tossing shad colored crankbaits along gravel points and around any rip-rap levees. Bridge piers have also produced a few fish when current was present.

Some boats have continued to fish main lake sandbars and shallow ledges with swim baits and Rattle Trap style lures with moderate success. On calm days topwater jerk baits are producing strikes too along shallow flats and gravel banks as well.

Low lake levels are exposing a lot of stickups and manmade crappie beds that are holding a few bass as well. Tossing a spinnerbait around shallow stumps and stickups is always popular this time of year but seems more fish are opting for shallow running crankbaits or event small tube type baits at times.

Catfishermen are still on a hot streak and landing good numbers of fish from the 40 to 50 foot depths. Steady current has influenced the catfish bite in a positive way as anglers are bumping bottom and using nightcrawlers or chicken livers.

Several boats are working the bridge piers in the Paris Landing sector and doing well there. It has been a good fall for catfishermen and the bite started back in early September and has held up ever since.