Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
Steve McCadams'
Kentucky Lake Fishing Report for:
February 21st, 2003
HIGH WATER CHALLENGING ANGLERS
In addition to cold weather mixed with snow and high winds over the
last few weeks enter rain and flooding to the list of hurdles for winter
anglers.
High water is now part of the fishing scene as Kentucky Lake went on
a rampage this week due to heavy rains both here and to the south. Flash
flood warnings dominated all weather forecasts earlier this week as
tributaries were rushing out of their banks due to the overflow.
On Monday the observed lake stages at New Johnsonville Steam Plant
were over four feet higher than the readings at Kentucky Dam! That means
a huge wall of water was headed down river where swift currents were
pulling logs, trees, and all sorts of debris toward mainstream.
What does it mean for local anglers? Right now the lake is muddy
and elevation levels are changing daily.
Anglers can expect tough fishing conditions for a few days as the
rapidly rising water levels will likely scatter crappie out all over the
lake. Some of the deeper fish may stay put for a few days but current
will likely be a factor for most main lake ledges and drop-offs.
Surface temperatures were dancing around the 34 to 39 degree mark
this week. Baitfish were scattered all over creation with shad popping
up in shallow grass and bushes along shorelines. Fact is, both the
forage and fish can be just about anywhere right now.
Observed lake elevation at New Johnsonville was 360.3 on Tuesday.
The same day at Kentucky Dam the reading was 356.
The dramatic different in elevation means a wall of water is heading
north and will spread out once it reaches north of Danville and Paris
Landing areas as the reservoir is wider and must more open from these
sectors to Kentucky Dam.
Sometimes anglers can take advantage of current and find fish on the
downside of a submerged sandbar or point where eddies develop. These
still water zones and often harbor baitfish in a big way and the fish
know it and find them.
Anglers might try tightlining bottom bumping rigs or heavy leadhead
jigs in such areas and find crappie concentrated.
In the upper portion of Big Sandy and West Sandy current will not be
as much of a factor so anglers there can likely continue their slow
trolling methods that have been paying off. However, depths will change
and most of the area has four more feet of water on it than it did last
week at this time!
Still, it's likely crappie will be scattered and suspended as they
move about the lake in no particular pattern.
Sauger anglers will likely find some places where the current is
working to their advantage. There will be places along the river channel
where edges of the overbank will hold sauger that are finding eddies and
dodging the swift current.
Such areas will see baitfish washed their way and sauger are likely
to concentrate in such spots.
Anglers can expect high water to continue for several days as the
recent snow already had the ground saturated. Now come heavy rains that
have seen runoff to the extent severe flooding is part of the angling
present and future angling picture.
For The Lake Barkley Report
Click Here
For Other Kentucky Lake Fishing Reports
Click Here
Steve McCadams
is a professional hunting and fishing guide
here in the
Paris Landing area and host of The Outdoor Channel's television series IN-PURSUIT.
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