Fishing Report Archives

A few white bass have been seen on main lake areas chasing shad this week and some crappie are still being taken by anglers fishing live minnows on main lake areas. Depths of 13 to 20 feet have been producing.

Most anglers are hitting the lake in the early morning hours and pitching in the towel by midday once the sun gets high, temps rise and the bite diminishes.

Trolling crankbaits out on main lake sandbars has also worked for fishermen. They’re picking up a variety of species ranging from crappie and catfish to white bass and largemouth. Deeping diving crankbaits in chrome color variations have worked well.

Some boats are targeting catfish with their bottom bumping rigs out along the edge of the Tennessee River channel or marking schools of shad roaming about and catching some suspended. The balls of baitfish show up well on sonar units and usually the catfish are hot on their trail.

Mayflies hatches are still showing up across the reservoir too. Even in shallow areas some bass and bluegill will be there feeding during hot weather.

Lake levels this week have been around 358.6. Surface temps have warmed to the 87-88 degree range. Water color is clear.

Both fishermen and recreational boaters, along with lakefront property owners, may have noticed Kentucky Lake’s elevation down a bit since the Fourth of July holiday period.

Lake levels have receded a bit since early July and that’s because Tennessee Valley Authority implements its annual reservoir winter drawdown schedule each year on or around July 1.

Normal summer pool elevation is 359 feet above sea level. The target date for that water level is May 1 and the schedule indicates it hold there until July 1 when the annual drawdown begins.

Kentucky Lake’s elevation is now falling slowly---this week it’s around the 358.6 range---and the slow descent will continue throughout the summer and into late fall. By November or early December the reservoir reaches its low ebb of winter pool elevation, which is in the 354 range.

TVA’s description of the drawdown reads: Operating guides were designed and developed for every reservoir and are used in making critical decisions regarding the storing and/or releasing of water from dams throughout the entire Tennessee reservoir system. These operating guides are centered on decades of operating experience, including more than 100 years of rain data and seasonal variation.