Fishing Report Archives

Unstable weather patterns have rocked the boat for early April anglers across Kentucky Lake. Fishermen are hoping for stability as the second week of this popular fishing month rolls around.

Some nice stringers of crappie have been taken the last week or so but high winds mixed with a roller coaster of temperatures have dealt a mean hand to most anglers yearning for warm days, light winds and normal lake levels.

Since Easter weekend fishermen have had to battle falling temperatures at times that were blown in by unruly northwest winds. A few days it was gusty southwest winds. April can sometimes wear a lot of hats. She has done just that as of late.

Lake levels continue to rise to levels somewhat above normal for early April. Elevation at Kentucky Dam had risen to the 358 level this week, which is some three feet above normal for this period of the month. Water color is clear.

Surface temperatures had been rising and climbed to the 63 degree range a day or so but cooled back down to 60 degrees in the aftermath of a cold front that brought chilly conditions back to the region—a few days earlier in the week daytime highs struggled to reach the low 50’s.

By this weekend temps will begin to rebound. Warmer days will enter the picture soon. The forecast projects a climb to the low 70’s by early next week. April showers are in the forecast so anglers will need to keep the rain suits handy.

Actually the spawn was getting a bit ahead of itself so the timetable has fallen back a bit, which isn’t all bad. The lake is on the verge of reaching the 62 to 66 degree favorable spawning temp range and it appears next week that could happen.

It was set to happen this week but mean north winds sort of reset the biological clock. The bone chilling breezes also kept a lot of anglers on shore as open water areas were filled with whitecaps several consecutive days.

Dogwoods are in full bloom and that often coincides with peak spawning phases but weather fronts have a lot of influence. Female crappie that stage out away from shallow habitat during a drop in surface temps will quickly make a blitz toward spawning spots once a few back to back warm days return.

The rising lake levels have contributed to crappie scattering. Fishermen have been somewhat confused as to why TVA has allowed the dramatic rise in lake levels to the degree that has occurred. Whether or not TVA holds the water up remains to be seen.

Crappie anglers are always concerned if the scenario of falling lake levels occurs once the fish have moved up shallow and started dropping their eggs. That hasn’t happened just yet but it’s very close.

Bass anglers are banging the banks and targeting the abundance of yellow flowers that have been inundated by rising lake levels lately. Presently, there is enough water to draw bass to the shallow grassbeds.

Small pockets just off the main lake areas and back in larger bays are holding bass.

Fishermen are tossing Texas rigged craws, lizards and fluke type floating worms. Spinnerbaits are working too as are a few topwater jerkbaits.

Things are happening quickly as fish retreat during cold snaps but rebound fast once rising surface temps kick in.

Most of the buck bushes and willow trees are a bit too shallow at present. That type shoreline habitat needs summer pool (359) elevation or even a few inches higher than that.

Each spring unstable weather delivers hurdles to anglers anxious to hit the peak of the spawn or just an aggressive bite as both bass and crappie turn more aggressive.

Sometimes Mother Nature deals a mean hand for a few days and anglers just have to play the cards as dealt. It will quickly improve but when weather descends like it has this past week it can quickly diminish the overall bite.

Hopefully gale winds will leave and take the nasty cold temps with them by this weekend. Spring is always iffy! This week it has certainly lived up to its reputation.