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Kentucky Lake Guide Andy
Hicks
TEMPS ABOVE AVERAGE…FISHING SCENE STILL HOLDS UP
Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene has been pretty hot for several species
the last few weeks but things really heated up this week as summer
conditions arrived a bit early.
Hot weather descended this week as anglers negotiated stagnant winds and
above average temperatures that made it feel like August was already
here. The mercury climbed into the low 90’s at midweek.
Despite the warm weather fishermen have chalked up some nice stringers
of crappie, bass, bluegill and catfish.
Surface temperatures climbed into the 82 to 85 degree range the last few
days. Water color has been clear across the reservoir.
Lake levels are expected to be stable and rest in the normal summer pool
range of 359 at Kentucky Dam this weekend. Upstream in the New
Johnsonville area the reservoir will be slightly lower with a forecast
of 358.9.
Crappie have been hitting good this week for anglers stalking deep
stakebeds and some main lake ledges in depths of 14 to 16 foot depths. A
few fish have been taken in the 12 to 14 depths in the early morning and
late afternoon hours or when cloud cover helped filter bring sunlight.
Live minnows have produced as have jigs tipped with minnows. June
crappie fishing has been good with some diminished activity at midday
when stagnant winds and bright sunshine combined to slow the bite.
Trolling crankbaits has produced a few fish as well as more crappie
transition back to their main lake hideouts along drop-offs.
Bass fishing continues to live up to its late spring and early summer
reputation. There are several fish relating to aquatic vegetation in
bays just off the main lake where tossing a Texas rigged worm,
spinnerbait or floating fluke style jerk bait will garner several bites.
Some weedbeds are holding a lot of baitfish and winds push the forage up
in areas at times where anglers can find a lot of activity. Not all the
bass on Kentucky Lake are residing on deep ledges.
Main lake drop-offs continue to produce hefty stringers where summer
patterns are working for boaters tossing big deep diving crankbaits,
swim baits, big Texas rigged worms and jig and craw combos.
With the lake now stable current has been inconsistent this week.
However, TVA has been generating by midmorning hours when power demands
increase.
Bluegill action has been fair with a few late bedding fish still biting.
Mayfly hatches have been observed at various areas the last week or so
but look for some big hatches to occur in the next few weeks.
Catfish action has been decent with several still hanging around
midrange depths of 14 to 17 feet. Crappie anglers fishing drop-offs and
deep stakebeds are still tying into nice catfish on a daily basis. With
surface temperatures heating up look for the bite to improve along the
main river channel in the days ahead.
Summer officially arrives on June 21. Those of us on the lake lately
feel like it moved up the timetable and slipped in the door already!
Despite dodging a few thunderstorms earlier this week and dealing with
heat anglers have taken it all in stride as the overall fishing scene
has held up well.
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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