Lake Conditions:  Overcast - 50° / Lake Temperature  57° - 357.15'
Cadiz, Kentucky
Cadiz, Kentucky
Cadiz, Kentucky
Closer Than You Think

Bluegill Spawning Time at Hand - Catfish, Too!

Written by Steve McCadams - Published on May 3, 2023

May signals a magic time for a lot of Kentucky Lake anglers. It’s the arrival of peak spawning phases for bluegill and their big bulky cousins known at shellcracker. Biologically speaking shellcracker are redear sunfish.

The next several weeks should offer excellent opportunities for anglers to tangle with these powerful panfish that are not only fun to catch but great to eat. What they lack in size is more than compensated by their sheer numbers.

Once surface temperatures approach the mid to upper 60’s these aggressive rascals gather in big numbers as their biological clock starts ticking. Peak spawning kicks in in late April sometimes if spring warms up ahead of schedule but generally speaking, May is prime time as surface temperatures really need to climb into the low 70’s to kick start this annual ritual.

The last week to ten days has seen some nice stringers taken. However, the best is yet to come.

After another weird spell of cold windy weather that chilled the fishing scene earlier this week it appears nice days are in the forecast. That should see bedding really kick into high gear by this weekend and throughout next week.

Lake levels this week have reached the normal summer pool level of 359. That’s right on schedule as Tennessee Valley Authority’s curve attempts to reach that elevation by May 1 each year.

Water color is clear across the reservoir except for a few pockets and shallow bays where high winds have whipped up sediments this week.

Surface temperatures lost ground this week due to the cold front that delivered cold nights where the mercury dropped down to the mid-40’s. At midweek the water had dropped to the 62 to 63 degree range in the chilly early morning hours and sluggishly rebounded to the 64 by midday.

Anglers earlier in the week battled gale force winds and had to bundle up in order to tolerate the wind chill.

By this weekend warmer days will descend and bring a welcomed change to the overall fishing scene.

Forecasts indicate daytime highs will climb to the upper 70’s and perhaps reach 80 degrees by Sunday. That should see surface temps climb to the low 70’s by early next week.

Warmer days will see bluegill and shellcracker blitz toward shallow bays and pockets just off the main lake areas where they will initiate fanning of spawning beds. The small craters around weeds and bushes will attract the big males so that’s a mecca for fishermen.

Now is the time to load up on worms and crickets and test the light tackle. Don’t let this great fishing time pass you by.

Meanwhile, catfish are on the prowl and moving up fast toward rocky shorelines. Watch for some good catfishing action these next two weeks.

Find rocky bluffs and you’ll encounter spawning catfish. Rip-rap rocky shorelines all up and down the reservoir will offer ample spots for both bank fishermen and those opting to fish from their boats.

Bass fishermen earlier this week felt the punch of the cold weather and high winds too as it had a negative impact on the shallow bite.

Now that lake levels are up on shoreline habitat bass fishermen have a lot of shallow weedbeds to toss spinnerbaits, topwater, Texas rigged craws and lizards and a wide variety of lure presentations.

Several anglers are using pitching and flipping techniques but most boats are laying out a bit and casting to shallow structure as the water color is relatively clear.

Crappie are in their typical post-spawn phase, which is normal for early May. Most of the fish have spawned and that means a subdued mood swing as the fish are somewhat stressed once spawning phases pass.

There are some fish being caught in midrange depths with a few anglers dropping back and testing some deeper cover at times in the 15 to 20 foot zones.

Anglers are liable to encounter a few crappie up on shoreline habitat and some in midrange depths.

Once the crappie spawn they tend to scatter and occupy a variety of depths as they sometimes suspend out over deeper water. It’s not unusual for the fish to roam and change their mood. They don’t have the structure oriented behavior pattern they did a few weeks ago.

By mid to late May anglers should see more fish return to structure and relate more to brushpiles, stakebeds, stumps, etc.

Until then such techniques as long-line trolling of both jigs and crankbaits will help anglers cover a lot of water and likely pick up those hard to pattern suspended fish. Out on the main lake crappie may take on a lethargic attitude for a couple of weeks but trolling can be quite productive in the weeks ahead.

Will a stubborn spring finally lose its grip and allow nice warm weather to take over the fishing scene? Anglers everywhere are sure hoping so. These last six weeks to two months have been tough on the local fishing scene due to the roller coaster weather patterns.

Most all anglers agree it has been one of the more windy springs in recent memory!



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