Fishing Report Archives

Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene this week is typical of mid-summer patterns and lake levels as the reservoir has been falling slowly and pretty much on track as to TVA’s drawdown curve.

Lake levels this week have been falling slowly with a weekend projection of 357.4. TVA is pushing some 40,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) through Kentucky Dam, which is ample current to stimulate shad movement and keep the catfish bite going.

Water color remains clear. Surface temps are starting out the mornings around 85 degrees and rising to 88 around midday.

Several cloudy days have helped filter out a stubborn sun and that has worked in favor of anglers. Thunderstorms have been part of the summer fishing scene, causing anglers to keep an eye on the sky.

Kentucky Lake’s catfish bite has been consistent as of late with some pretty good stringers showing up in the creel of anglers. Blue and channel catfish have been taken in good numbers in depths of 40 to 50 feet but some were caught in the 30 foot range as well.

Most boats are targeting the main Tennessee River channel banks or other bends and turns in the channel where current is perhaps creating submerged eddies around sandbars or humps. Such spots are holding schools of shad who may be dodging the current or feeding on the zooplankton moving about in the water column.

Finding the balls of bait fish suspended or relating to deep topography will put anglers in touch with schools of hungry catfish. Watching sonar units and tracking the shad will pay dividends.

Summer catfish baits always seem to consist of nightcrawlers, chicken livers, cut-bait, hot dogs marinated in various stink bait brews and even some big minnows just to name a few. Some commercial baits are working too.

Scattered reports of white bass in the jumps have come in on the days when placid water is present. Windy days make it tough to see shad activity and surface feeding frenzies.

A few crappie have been caught by anglers working main lake areas in depths of 18 to 20 feet but some anglers have found a few scattered fish lingering around submerged stakebeds in 13 to 15 foot depths at times.

While most are relying on live minnows there are some anglers tipping jigs with minnows to entice bites.

Mayfly hatches are always a part of summer and they’re still occurring up and down the reservoir, especially in the aftermath of thunderstorms. You’ll find bass activity around the flies plus plenty of bluegill and various species feeding on Mother Nature’s buffet.

Bass fishermen continue to target main lake ledges for the most part. Tossing Texas rigged worms plus some Carolina rigs, deep diving crankbaits, swim baits and jig and craw combos are working too. A few night fishermen are tossing big bladed spinnerbaits along bridge piers and rip-rap rock levees as well.