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January 25, 2012
Kentucky Lake’s winter fishing scene continues to thrive thanks to the
continuation of a mild winter that has delivered light winds and above
average temperatures for the last two months. Overall it has been a good
winter for bass, crappie and sauger fishermen.
Weather is always the active ingredient during the winter period and
this year it has been kind to anglers that are reporting nice catches of
crappie and bass. A few sauger have shown up the last month too, which
has been a pleasant surprise for anglers who target them this time of
year during their winter spawning run.
Lake levels have been rising slowly this week and may see a little surge
as the weekend approaches in the aftermath of heavy rains that were in
progress as this reported was posted.
Lake levels will rise for the next few days and TVA is projecting a
reading of 357.1 by this weekend at New Johnsonville and 356.5 for
Kentucky Dam. If heavy rains continue expect lake levels to exceed that
projection.
Surface temperatures are above normal for this time of year and have
been resting around the 45 to 48 degree range. Water color had been
clear but is now showing some stain from the runoff and will likely be
dingy in some bays and throughout the main lake as a lot of current is
present.
Crappie anglers have taken advantage of this week’s mild weather and
light winds to land some nice stringers of fish from midrange depths. A
few fish have been taken in the 8 to 12 foot zones across the reservoir.
Most anglers are either spider rigging or using a slow, vertical
presentation of jigs and minnows around structure. Popular colors have
ranged from light yellow and orange combinations to red/chartreuse,
blue/chatreuse, and variations of light green.
A few boats were stalking the deep ledges in the mouth of Big Sandy and
finding enough fish to keep it interesting on the deep ledges. Depths of
15 to 18 feet were giving up a few fish.
Bass anglers have extended their fall fishing season as though winter
didn’t even enter the picture. Several boats have been working main lake
feeding creeks and ditches with Carolina rigged craws, jig and pig
combos, and the popular Alabama rig with the multi-grub presentation.
Sauger had been hitting fair during the slow current periods in the main
river channel but look for swift water to enter the picture now that
heavy rain has fallen throughout the TVA valley.
A cold front this weekend may bring a short hiatus to the good winter
fishing but mild temps are expected to return by next week.
Also check out our past:
Kentucky Lake Fishing Reports
Steve McCadams is one of the nation's best known Crappie Fishermen
and a full time resident of Paris, Tennessee. Steve is also a
professional hunting and fishing guide here in the Paris Landing area.
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