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Keith from IN
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
LAKE LEVELS “YO-YO”
UNSTABILITY CONTINUES
For the last week Kentucky Lake’s elevation has been falling fast as TVA
really pulled the plug in the aftermath of recent flooding across the
region. The reservoir crested about ten days ago some thirteen feet
above normal winter pool in some places.
Stability, however, is not in the cards. After falling fast for several
consecutive days it appears the reservoir will actually head back up by
this coming weekend. The roller coaster ride for lake levels continues!
Jane and Tom TN Crew
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
TVA had projected pulling the lake back down to winter pool a few days
ago but that projection has been revised. At midweek the elevation at
Kentucky Dam was projected to be 356.6 but after a crest it will now
rise to a level of 358.2 by this weekend. Normal winter pool elevation
is 355.
There’s been a lot of current in the main Tennessee River channel lately
needless to say. However, the falling lake levels have pulled a lot of
muddy and dingy water out of bays and from the upper end of Big Sandy
and West Sandy.
Water color is actually pretty good for fishing in the Paris Landing
sector and up Big Sandy. Same goes for most big bays all the way from
Blood River south into Tennessee toward New Johnsonville.
Tom and "OC" from Chicago
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
Surface temperatures have been staying in the 48 to 51 degree range but
will warm a few degrees by this weekend. Temps are forecast to be in the
70-degree range by the end of the week but fall back to the low to mid
50’s by the weekend and stay cool through early next week.
With the warm up often comes high winds too. March wind was kind to
anglers earlier this week but showed its ugly face at midweek with gusts
in the 20 mile per hour range once south winds returned. White caps
replaced placid waters for a few days.
Although the recent flooding saga is now history, folks along the
reservoir were just beginning to mop up the damage where driftwood and
all sorts of debris had washed up along shorelines, campgrounds, boat
ramps and resorts.
Roger Binkley and Chase Binkley
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
Still, it was good to see the reservoir returning back to its near
normal range after all the mess. Crappie and bass anglers wasted no time
in bouncing back too, hitting the lake earlier this week and shaking the
dust off their tackle.
Although not a lot of boats were out and about, those who did managed to
find a few crappie playing their game. Some decent numbers were taken by
anglers fishing main lake ledges in depths of 18 to 20 feet.
Both live minnows and jigs paid dividends. Popular jig skirt colors
ranged from pink/chartreuse to bubble gum/blue fished on loud color
painted leadheads such as florescent green, red and orange variations.
The overall bite may improve in midrange depths soon as crappie normally
begin to move up in mid-March. Once surface temps warm into the mid to
upper 50’s the transition should kick in. However, a few more warm sunny
days will need to enter the picture before that happens.
Until surface temps climb a bit look for most of the crappie to continue
staging in deeper depths such as main lake ledges or deeper creek
channels within the mouth of big bays. A blitz toward midrange depths
will occur soon once spring weather returns.
Dave and Jeff KY Crew
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
Spring officially arrives on Wednesday, March 20. Already showing signs
of the seasonal changes are Bradford Pear trees with their white blooms.
Dogwoods aren’t blossoming just yet.
Meanwhile, bass anglers anxious to resume action along Kentucky Lake
have been out tossing crankbaits, Texas rigged craws and jig and pig
combos around rock banks and gravel points. A few were taken this week
along steeper banks and rip-rap areas.
Some boats were playing the current and targeting spots where water
moving across points or hitting rock banks had appeal. Current perhaps
pushed baitfish and other forage in such locales.
Tossing Rattle Traps in the Firetiger color and similar variations were
producing as were various deep running crankbaits along rock banks,
roadbeds and around bridge piers. Suspending jerk baits have also been
popular choices in the mid-March arsenal for bass anglers.
Some of Kentucky Lake’s biggest bass are taken in the month of March
each year. The females are putting on the feed bag in preparation for
the pre-spawn phase. The days and weeks ahead should give up some hefty
stringers.
With lake levels continuing to “yo-yo” and unstable weather patterns
dominating the weather forecasts anglers will continue to play the cards
dealt. Spring fever is running rampart. However, the month of March is
always unpredictable.
Things are headed in the right direction as anglers keep their fingers
crossed for the return of warm weather and rising surface temperatures.
Lake levels may be throwing a little curve to the fishing scene but soon
that will settle down.
Keep the raingear, overcoat and sunscreen handy! March is a month when,
at times, you’ll need all three!
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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