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Keith from IN
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
RAINY DAYS DOMINATE FISHING SCENE…LAKE LEVELS RISING
Enough already on the rainy days. Seems we’ve entered the rainy season
with little relief in sight.
Practically everyone is talking about the abundant rainfall and
flooding. The late comedian Will Rogers once said folks always seem to
talk about the weather but no one does anything about it!
Jane and Tom TN Crew
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
Kentucky Lake’s elevation, after sleeping at low winter pool levels
this past week, is now creeping back up on a daily basis. Heavy rains
have pounded the area and an already wet region is now sending a lot of
runoff into the Tennessee River watershed.
Low lying areas are now flooding and that has dampened the spirits of
small game hunters too. Rabbit and squirrel hunters are about to wind
down their seasons but saturated soil changes the whole picture for
hunters.
Tom and "OC" from Chicago
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
Anglers can expect lake levels to continue to climb on a daily basis.
Just how high Kentucky Lake will surge is still an unknown.
Lake levels started the week off at a low elevation as TVA had pulled
the reservoir somewhat below winter pool last week in anticipation of
the flooding conditions now upon us. Low lake levels created more
storage capacity so it’s good that TVA was able to absorb some of the
massive runoff now flowing into the Tennessee River.
Roger Binkley and Chase Binkley
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
At the start of the week a gradual rise had the reservoir at an
elevation of 355. That will change on a daily basis.
Fishermen can expect dingy or muddy water to enter the picture too in
many areas. Most all bays are now borderline muddy and the main river
channel was taking on the color of chocolate milk as the week began.
Surface temperatures remained in the 46 to 47 degree range. Temperatures
are forecast to stay in their normal winter range next week so no
drastic changes are expected at this time.
Dave and Jeff KY Crew
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
Most anglers adopted a “wait-and-see” approach this week as to future
fishing plans. Once the rains stops winter crappie and bass anglers will
ease their way back out and test the water, checking both water color
and the status of rising lake levels which usually has a tendency to
scatter fish.
Rapidly rising lake levels usually send baitfish on roaming journeys
like nomads. The shad seek new feeding opportunities as fresh water
enters the lake, flushing an abundance of zooplankton and algae
throughout the water column.
As the shad leave deep winter hideouts and move toward shallow venues on
their endless journeys they pull bass and crappie with them. Commercial
fishermen know it too and they quickly begin setting trotlines over
shallow sandbars in backwaters areas where catfish really go on the
prowl.
Some areas that were almost high and dry last week will now see catfish
moving up and occupying shallow flats as the fish ride the rise and
follow their forage base.
Winter crappie fishermen have been targeting deep ledges lately in
depths of 18 to 25 feet and finding a few scattered fish relating to
submerged structure but that’s likely to change this week. Odds are
crappie will scatter out as they begin to move up too, following the
shad schools over midrange or shallow flats in the days ahead.
The longer the water stays up the more both bass and crappie will leave
deep water venues and move up with it.
With the dingy or muddy water entering the picture crappie anglers will
be switching and experimenting with colors of jig heads and skirts too.
Some loud florescent off the wall colors may see action as times like
these call for drastic color changes.
Bass anglers should see some fish move up to gravel banks or pockets
where shallow ditches and feeder creeks deliver rushing water at times
and stir up sediments where crawfish linger. Loud color choices are on
the horizon for bass fishermen too as such popular choices such as
Firetiger colored crankbaits seem to have broad appeal in muddy water.
Spinnerbaits with big blades have more flash too so bassers will be
tossing them toward shallow flats and fan casting over open water areas
in hopes of covering a lot of water with each cast.
So, the Kentucky Lake fishing scene is in a state of flux as drastic
changes in lake levels and water color are underway. Stability is not in
the cards lately and anglers are forced to play the hand Mother Nature
is dealing them.
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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