Fishing Report Archives

Despite hot and humid conditions there’s always a few die-hard anglers out fishing (and catching) across the vast waters of Kentucky Lake.

Late July has been challenging for the fishing scene as above average temperatures have proven to be a high hurdle for most. However there have been a few decent stringers of summer crappie taken, along with some nice coolers full of catfish lately.

Lake levels this week have been falling slowly and were around the 358.3 range---down from the summer pool level of early July---which is normal. A slow fall is normal throughout the summer and fall months. Surface temps have risen to the 88-plus range and water color is clear.

Most anglers are hitting the lake early in an attempt to get a little fishing in before the brutal midday sun kicks in and calls the shots. By mid-morning most anglers are tossing in the towel, succumbing to the brutal heat that sort of takes the fun out of fishing some days.

Increased current on the main Tennessee River channel lately has had a positive effect on the catfish bite. A few dandy stringers are showing up at times.

With the use of nightcrawlers for bait some impressive catches were coming from the 35 to 45 foot depth range. Some even deeper.

Whenever the current is moving it stimulates schools of shad to roam about and feed. That stimulates the catfish too and this week the bite improved.

TVA increased discharge rates at Kentucky Dam and were pulling 45,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) this past week. That increased over the previous week’s discharge rate and anglers seemed to have better luck as a result.

Summer crappie haven’t disappeared as a few fish were biting live minnows when fished around the deep sides of main lake ledges and over manmade fish attractors in the 17 to 22 foot depth range.

Bass fishermen are attempting to beat the heat by doing a bit of night fishing lately. Tossing big spinnerbaits along main lake rip rap shorelines and bridge piers have worked at times.

During the daylight hours some boats are testing the water on main lake ledges while tossing big deep diving crankbaits and Texas rigged worms. Other reports have a few fish taken in shallow areas where locating schools of pin minnow has paid dividends.

Producing around weeds and treelaps or main lake island rims have been Texas rigged worms, blue/chartreuse skirted spinnerbaits with gold willow leaf blades plus some topwater jerk baits in the early morning hours.

Scattered mayfly hatches are still out there too along the river islands. Around them are both bluegill and bass too.

Overdue are the jumps of whitebass out on the main lake areas as they bust into schools of shad roaming about. Watch for that to improve as midsummer is prime time to chase white bass in the jumps.