Fishing Report Archives

Kentucky Lake's fishing scene this week is once again dominated by the mid-summer catfish bite. Although the current has diminished from late July there’s still enough flow to stimulate movement of baitfish and that’s the key.

TVA is pushing 29,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) through Kentucky Dam at present, which helps stimulate movement of shad schools that meander about, feeding on plankton and zooplankton. However, discharge rates can vary from day to day.

Anglers are targeting the balls of baitfish on sonar units and finding catfish hot on their trail.

Productive depth ranges have been 35 to 50 feet. Popular bait choices have been nightcrawlers, chicken livers, cut bait, catalpa worms (if you can find them), several commercial concoctions and hotdogs marinated in homemade garlic brews just to name a few.

Surface temps are in the 86 to 87 degree range. Water color is clear. Lake levels this week are in the 357.8 range, which is down a few inches from last week.

Kentucky Lake’s elevation continues on TVA’s path of a slow drawdown which will last throughout the summer and fall months until the reservoir reaches its low ebbs of winter pool around November 1.

Bass fishing has been sluggish but some decent size fish have been taken on main lake ledges when current was present. Texas rigged worms, Carolina rigs, swim baits, big deep diving crankbaits and jig/craw combos have produced at times.

Night fishing has appealed to a few anglers attempting to beat the heat. Tossing a big spinnerbait along rip-rap shorelines, bridge piers and roadbeds has given up a few decent smallmouth.

Scattered sightings of white bass schooling and busting the surface in pursuit of meandering baitfish balls have been reported in main lake areas. The action has been inconsistent.

Crappie anglers are picking up a few on main lake ledges as they target deep structure in the 18 to 25 foot depth range. Most credit their catches to live minnows but some are tipping jigs with minnows to entice bites from finicky fish.

A few boats are trolling crankbaits out on main lake area sandbars and picking up a mixed bag of crappie, white bass, catfish, largemouth and an occasional sauger.

Mayfly hatches are still showing up around main river island areas. Using light tackle and casting Rooster Tails has been productive as have tossing crickets under slip bobbers. Assorted species are always feasting on the mayfly hatches.

Most anglers are hitting the water in the early morning hours and tossing in the towel at midday if not sooner. The best bite for pretty much all species has occurred before the midday sun with its additional heat and bright light arrives and diminishes activity.

During the summer doldrums it seems catfish is king of the fishing scene along Kentucky Lake as long as current is present.