Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
Steve McCadams'
Kentucky Lake Fishing Report for:
March 10th, 2006
WINDY AND
WARM CONDITIONS GREET ANGLERS
Anglers have welcomed warmer weather this week on the
local fishing scene.
March Madness, often used to describe the season ending basketball
tournament fury, has a different connotation here on Kentucky Lake. For
fishermen the March Madness is dealing with gale winds!
While anglers have welcomed the warm up in temperatures, it has come
at the price of high winds from the south. Whitecaps covered the open
waters several days this week, making it tough for anglers to work open
water spots for crappie and bass.
This is the time of year when fishermen get a couple of nice days
sandwiched in-between messy ones. It’s just that time of year.
Meanwhile, surface temperatures are responding to warmer days.
Earlier this week the surface temperatures creped past the 50-degree
mark for the fist time this year. Some shallow areas were warming to the
52-degree range on Wednesday while the main lake was resting in the 49
to 50-degree range.
Look for surface temperatures to reach the mid 50’s by this weekend
as mild weather is in the forecast.
Water levels remain relatively stable as Kentucky Lake has been
resting at the winter pool mark this week. Elevation is predicted to be
354.7 going into the weekend at Kentucky Dam. Upstream at New
Johnsonville elevation will be slightly lower at 354.4, based on TVA
projections.
Crappie have been taken this week in a variety of depths, a further
indication that fish are on the move and responding to warming surface
temperatures. Up Big Sandy and into West Sandy anglers were taking fish
in 9 to 13 foot depths. Some dingy water is present there, which tends
to give fish a comfort zone in shallow areas.
Techniques such as slow trolling spider rigs and long-lining were
working well. Fish were somewhat scattered and suspended in West Sandy
but a few limits were taken as anglers covered a lot of water to catch
suspended fish.
Down near the mouth of Big Sandy and around Mansard Island area some
fish were relating to stakebeds and brush piles in 9 to 13 foot depths.
Popular jig colors continue to be pink and white combos, along with some
orange and chartreuse and black and pearl. Tipping jigs with minnows and
assorted scent attractants has also helped.
In the Paris Landing area most of the crappie were still relating to
main lake ledges in depths of 18 to 24 feet. Fish were taking jigs
tipped with minnows.
A few fish were moving into structure found in 11 to 14 feet but
scattered. Watch for an improvement in shallow areas in the week ahead
as surface temperatures warm.
Bass action improved this week around rock points and shallow
structure. Anglers were finding fish taking crawfish and Tennessee Shad
colored crankbaits worked slowly on sloping gravel and rock banks.
Some suspending jerk baits accounted for a few fish as did Carolina
rigged lizards on points and roadbeds.
A few fish were taking brown and orange jig and pig combs tossed
around boat docks and visible stumps and logs.
Action will continue to improve this weekend and into next week as
warmer water stimulates activity in shallow water. Rain is in the
forecast so watch for stained water to enter the picture where feeder
ditches and runoff bring in fresh water.
High winds have also stirred up some dingy water on main lake points
in the Big Sandy and Tennessee River. Not many smallmouth were showing
up this week but that could change quickly.
For The Lake Barkley Report
Click Here
Also check out our past:
Kentucky Lake Fishing Reports
Steve McCadams
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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