|
Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
Steve McCadams'
Kentucky Lake Fishing Report for:
April 11th, 2008
LAKE LEVELS RECEDE AS CRAPPIE SPAWN ARRIVES
Look close and you’ll see an increasing amount of bald headed
anglers fishing Kentucky Lake. That’s because just about everyone is
pulling their hair out over unstable conditions that have played havoc
with the spring fishing scene
From changing lake levels to changing weather, anglers on Kentucky
Lake have had some hurdles. To say it’s been tough would be greatly
understating the fishing scenario.
March madness may have come and gone but it appears awful April has
taken its place.
Since last week fishermen have encountered falling lake levels that
quickly did a turnaround in the aftermath of heavy rains that
contributed to a rapid rise of some three feet in three days.
Now, lake levels are falling again in this unusual spring that has
dealt a tough blow to most anglers who wonder when the peak spawning
time for crappie will occur. Also of interest is whether or not fish
will come to shallow shorelines to spawn in the next few days while TVA
attempts to pull lake levels back down to the agency’s elevation curve.
Crappie normally spawn when surface temps reach the 62 to 66 degree
and stay there for a few days. Although some warm-up occurred earlier in
the week, the water cooled some at midweek and hasn’t rebounded back to
the range of preference.
Presently, surface temperatures are in the 57 to 59 degree range
after making a brief visit to the low 60’s on Monday. Cooler weather is
in the forecast for the weekend so that could push the spawn back toward
the middle or latter part of next week.
Water color is pretty good in the main lake with slight more stain
present in the upper ends of bays.
Lake levels are falling fast as TVA really pulled the plug the last
few days. Elevation at both New Johnsonville and Kentucky Dam is
expected to be in the 363 range as the weekend approaches. That’s down
some three feet since the lake crested Tuesday near the 366 mark, which
made it about 9 feet over normal for this time of year.
Look for lake levels to continue a rapid decent in the days ahead as
TVA spills water through Kentucky Dam in an attempt to get lake levels
back down and create more storage capacity.
Crappie fishing may improve by early next week as lower lake stages
will help but a cool front this weekend isn’t welcomed news. Still, with
water temps reluctant to climb into the mid 60’s the timetable will
continue to be pushed back as to prime time spawning phases.
Meanwhile, crappie anglers may well see some buck bush fishing
opportunities next week as fish creep toward shoreline habitat that has
been inundated for quite some time. Those bushes and willow trees could
very well appeal to fish looking for spawning territory next week as
lake levels are likely to be somewhat above normal.
Fish have been tough to pattern the last few days as they continue
to roam and scatter out away from structure. A few fish have suspended
in the middle of nowhere as they too have been confused by changing lake
levels.
Some anglers scored decent stringers this week as they trolled and
dragged long lines in open water making several different depth
presentations. It has been a one-here, one –there scenario for most.
Up near New Hope and Country Junction some fish were taken in the 12
to 14 foot flats earlier in the week. Spider rigs and drifting multipole
presentations have been the most productive techniques as boats covering
the most open water have done the best.
Some fish were lingering on the deep sides of ledges too and at the
mouth of Big Sandy depths of 20 to 24 feet were harboring scattered
fish. However, the fish have not been relating to structure and that has
made it difficult for anglers to locate them.
Other areas still producing have been the Big Sandy culvert where
good crappie fishing continues for bank fishermen. And, watch for the
backwater in West Sandy to begin producing fish in the days ahead as
well.
The falling lake levels on the main lake should help anglers get a
better handle on things in the days ahead.
Bass fishermen continue to land some hefty stringers as tossing
spinnerbaits over submerged grass and bushes continues to produce. Also
popular have been the pitching and flipping techniques where jig and pig
combos, lizards, crawfish and worms worked around buck bushes and willow
trees have produced.
Some anglers are already trying topwater and that style should
continue to improve in the days ahead
Current is present in the main river and along islands and points.
Some nice smallmouth continue to show up in the creel of anglers
fishing the east side of the reservoir where those rock bluffs and
flowing feeder creeks have attracted fish toward the upper end when the
reservoir was at its highest mark.
Fishing patterns will continue to change as lake levels fall. Bass
may move to outside cover on the edge of shorelines this week. Watch for
those point bushes and trees to be hotspots in the days ahead.
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.
|
