Fishing Report Archives

The pumpkin month has been nice to Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene with more nice weather in the forecast for next week. Fall fishing is alive.

Each week sees more colors on display along the hillsides and it’s a great time to go fishing or just take a cruise around the lake.

Just remember to observe the channel markers as you move about. There are lots of shallow sandbars out there now so resist the urge to take those shortcuts out across the open waters.

Cooler days this week have seen surface temperatures fall from last week. Readings the last few days have shown mornings kicking off around 64 to 65 degrees and rising slightly at midday. That has stimulated the shallow to midrange crappie bite lately.

Lake levels are around the 355 elevation across the reservoir and have at times fallen a few inches. Watch for a slight decline in lake levels in the week ahead as the reservoir falls back toward winter pool.

Water color remains clear. Not much current moving in the main Tennessee River channel lately as a lack of rainfall has been the story. This past week Tennessee Valley Authority was pushing only 21,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) through Kentucky Dam.

The diminished current has decreased the catfish bite somewhat but it can rebound quickly once current increases. Late October has traditionally been a good time frame for catching crappie here and as of late it has held up to its reputation. More fish have moved up to the 5 to 10 foot depth range in hot pursuit of shad schools.

Several nice stringers have been taken recently by anglers vertical fishing both jigs and minnows around submerged stakebeds and brushpiles. However, a few reports have come in from successful anglers casting jigs, too.

Some boats working the main lake ledges pulling jigs with long line techniques are catching fish too as they stroll along the ledges and flats targeting 12 to 15 foot depths.

Anglers had to negotiate a few windy days but overall it’s been nice out there.

Crappie have shown a more aggressive mood this week. No doubt the lower surface temperatures have had a positive influence. The bite should hold up for several more weeks.

Bass activity has been fair with a few more fish headed toward gravel shorelines. Tossing shad colored crankbaits have produced as have some floating fluke style lures and topwater jerk baits. More shad activity has been visible in the early morning and late afternoons lately.

Still stalking some of the main lake ledges and shallow sandbars have been a few boats casting swim baits and some Rattle Trap style presentations. A few smallmouth were showing up from those main lake ledges.

Don’t let this wonderful fall fishing scene pass you by. It’s absolutely beautiful out there right now and the bite is good too.