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January 4, 2012
Kentucky Lake anglers bounced back strong at midweek after a day or two
of high winds and a brief cold front interrupted their unusually mild
winter fishing scene. Gale winds whipped up the lake on Monday and temps
fell fast but last week’s mild conditions returned quickly and temps are
expected to be in the upper 50’s and low 60’s as the weekend approaches.
The weatherman indicates next week will be mild as well, a forecast that
is now welcomed by waterfowlers but sure is pleasing to winter
fishermen.
Lake levels this week were falling on a slow but steady basis as TVA
pulled the reservoir back down near its normal winter pool elevation.
Observed elevation at Kentucky Dam will be in the 354.5 range this
weekend. Upstream at New Johnsonville the elevation is projected to be
354.8.
Surface temperatures continue to linger around the 45 to 48 degree range
as the recent cold front lost its grip pretty quickly. Water color is
pretty clear across most of the reservoir.
Crappie anglers are catching good numbers of fish but most report having
to measure and release a lot of short fish that are just shy of the
10-inch minimum length limit. Some boats were landing 60 to 70 fish per
day but only keeping 12 to 15 fish.
It appears the year class that is most abundant is a little shy of
keeping size but indicates a positive picture for this spring and summer
as those fish will likely grow and prosper in the months ahead. Anglers
could see a better spring, summer and fall ahead if the numbers of short
fish showing up are any indication of what lies ahead.
A few fish were taken from deeper stakebeds and brushpiles lately where
anglers were tightling jigs. Some fish had moved up into the 12 to 14
foot range in a few places. And, the deep ledges around the Paris
Landing area were still producing well with the popular depth range of
18 to 22 feet giving up fish.
Sauger fishing has improved the last two weeks compared to earlier this
winter. Although anglers are not loading the boat there are a few more
success stories coming in from the Paris Landing bridge area and points
further south along the Tennessee River.
There were a few 10-fish limits taken recently and that didn’t happen
much last year or during outings taken last month.
Most are using the popular sauger jigs and a stinger hook tipped with a
minnow. There has been good current lately in the main channel and that
works in favor of the overall sauger fishery.
A few bass anglers are tossing the popular Alabama rig and scoring some
catches. Others are working jig and pig combos and some slow retrieved
crankbaits at times.
The weather has been good to winter anglers the last couple of months as
temps have been above average and several days have delivered calm
winds.
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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