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Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
Steve McCadams'
Kentucky Lake Fishing Report for:
March 14th, 2008
HIGH WATER LEVELS CHALLENGING ANGLERS
Fishermen had a dose of both winter and spring conditions the last
seven days. Not only have temperatures changed drastically but so have
lake levels.
Warm weather has returned after last weekend's snow and cold front
brought a temporary hiatus to fishing. Sunday the sunshine returned and
the last few days have been nice to anglers with light winds and warming
temps. The last three days have seen temps climb into the upper 50's
with a brief visit to the upper 60's.
Crappie are still hitting pretty good in deep water as main lake
ledges are holding the bulk of fish right now. Depths of 18 to 23 feet
have been producing well in the Paris Landing sector. Some shallow fish
were being caught in the upper Big Sandy and in West Sandy.
Most of the fish around Paris Landing are being taken by anglers
vertical fishing jigs and minnows on double hook bottom bumping rigs.
Some are just tightlining jigs however with results while a few boats
were slow trolling and drifting jigs over main lake ledges.
It appears fish have scattered some the last few days as the high
lake levels linger.
I've had some pretty good days lately with a good grade of fish
showing up. Each day we've managed to take a 2-pound plus slab in the
creel with a lot of fish being caught in the 1-pound plus range. Overall
the fish are sporting a hefty profile with what appears to be an
abundance of shad present.
Surface temps on Monday were in the 47 degree range but on Wednesday
I found some water in the 50 to 52 degree range. Conditions were warming
fast at midweek.
Water color is dingy across most of the reservoir. Some bays are
muddy in the upper end as runoff from recent rains and snow melt have
really added color to the water. Upper Big Sandy is muddy with stain in
West Sandy as well. The Paris Landing area is very dingy in the main
lake but the mouth of Big Sandy is sporting a good stain for fishing.
Lake levels continue to dominate the talk among anglers as the
present elevation at New Johnsonville was supposed to crest at 360.4 on
Thursday. At Kentucky Dam lake stages are in the 360.4 range. Those
reading are about 6 feet above normal for this time of year! (Normal
winter pool is 354 and summer pool is 359).
Heavy rains and snow melt have contributed to the recent rise in
lake levels, along with high water now present on the Ohio River and
parts of the Mississippi River. Since the Tennessee River flows north
our discharge at Kentucky Dam is often influenced by water levels on
these waterways.
It's likely TVA will begin pulling water as soon as possible.
However, both the fish and the fishermen have been somewhat surprised by
the drastic change in lake stages this week.
Often times quick increases in lake levels will scatter fish but it
appears crappie have stayed put on the deep sides of drop-offs this
week. The fish are pretty much keying in on deep structure as cold
surface temps have likely kept the bulk of baitfish in that locale.
Warming temps could see some fish move up in the days ahead. Once
surface temps climb to the low to mid 50's for a few days look for more
fish to move up to midrange and shallow areas. However, also important
in the fishing forecast will be lake levels as TVA is likely to pull a
lot of water in the days ahead in order to get the reservoir back down
to near normal elevation.
Should that occur falling lake levels will likely keep the bulk of
the crappie population in deep water.
A lot of floating debris was present at the mouth of Big Sandy and
scattered along the main river channel in the Tennessee River. Boaters
are urged to use caution as those floating logs and trees can be
dangerous.
Watch for the crappie to linger in deep water for a few more days
but begin staging in preparation for the early prespawn phases where a
migration toward shallow zones takes place.
Bass action has been good on the warm days but seems to fall off
when cold conditions return. The last week or so anglers have had some
of both.
Yet some hefty stringers were taken last weekend in a variety of
patterns that produced some dandy smallmouth as well.
Crawfish, fire tiger, and fluorescent orange colored crankbaits have
produced on rocky and gravel banks. Some suspending jerk baits retrieved
slowly have also paid off as have jig and pig combos.
Carolina rigged worms and lizards are accounting for some fish too
as the sloping points are seeing some fish hang out near deeper water.
A few fish have taken jigging spoons around main lake ledges when
current is present.
March is probably the best month of the year to take trophy bass
here on Kentucky Lake. Often times those nasty days produce some nice
fish!
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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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