Steve McCadams

Everyone outdoors (and indoors too) has been talking about the weather. Frigid temps, ice, sleet, snow and downright cold conditions have kept Kentucky Lake anglers at bay.

Maybe one day out of the week, when winds temporarily diminished and temps slipped up to the upper 40’s, a few fishermen have ventured out. However, most everyone knows it has been nasty out there and not worth going out on the lake in this crazy weather.

Hardly any boats have been launching at public ramps across the area but rest assured there are always a few testing the water and battling the elements regardless of what Mother Nature throws our way.

Some shallow bays had ice forming a few days while others were just downright cold as bone chilling northwest winds whipped up whitecaps. Just not worth risking your life and equipment to go out there in these conditions.

Lake levels remain low and are still hanging around the 354.7 range. The reservoir has danced around that elevation---give or take a few inches---for the last several weeks. Water color remains clear.

Surface temperatures are in the mid-30’s but ice has formed in the upper ends of shallow bays this week. It appears cold weather will hang around as the long range forecast indicates below average temps will last another week or so as this report was formulated.

A few anglers had found crappie in deeper brushpiles and stakebeds prior to the arrival of the drastic cold spell. Odds are the fish have moved out a bit and will ride out the cold surface temps in deeper depths as that’s where the shad will go.

Usually the baitfish merge to deeper water during extreme cold spells. Threadfin shad, which make up the bulk of the forage base, are vulnerable to quick temperatures changes and will go into shock. It’s not unusual to see a massive shad kill in the aftermath of severe cold weather.

That usually has a negative impact on the bass and crappie bite for a week or so. The fish suddenly have a massive free buffet out across the lake. Makes for pretty tough competition.

We’ll see what happens. Meanwhile, best to put another log on the fire and ride it out in comfort somewhere. Mild weather and better fishing conditions will return soon.