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June 15, 2012
ANGLERS WAVE GOODBYE TO A PRODUCTIVE SPRING
Kentucky Lake’s late spring fishing scene has been a good one and
anglers will officially enter the summer season next Wednesday.
Hopefully, things won’t change much as summer patterns have been
underway for quite some time and the overall report card has chalked up
some high marks for bass, bluegill and crappie anglers as of late.
It has been a pretty nice week of weather with the exception of a
thunderstorm that roared through late Monday afternoon and sent boaters
scrambling toward shore as gale force winds blew everyone off the lake.
However, most days have been pleasant for fishermen with light winds and
some cloud cover helping out anglers.
Mayfly hatches were underway this week across the reservoir, although
not massive like those of yesteryear when millions of flies used to
descend on every nook and cranny. Still, practically every species of
fish seem to benefit once this natural buffet occurs.
Surface temperatures this week stayed in the 78 to 81 degree range.
Water color remains clear as very little runoff has entered the
watershed.
Lake levels continue to sleep below their normal summer pool elevation
of 359 on both Kentucky and Barkley Lakes. Just about all types of
angler have learned to adjust and take it in stride but it has been
different this spring, especially for those bass and bluegill fishermen
who are accustomed to working shallow shoreline habitat.
Lake levels are pretty much the same as last week at this time.
Elevation is projected to be in the 357.6 range at Kentucky Dam as the
weekend approaches. Upstream at New Johnsonville readings will be 357.4.
There has been slight current in the main river channel at times but
basically, the Tennessee River has had low flow for several weeks
running.
Summer crappie are biting good for anglers working the 11 to 14 foot
depth zones where stakebeds and brushpiles have been producing decent
numbers. While several small fish are sharing the midrange depth zones
there are some good fish mixed right in there with them.
Baits of choice have ranged from jigs tipped with minnows to jigs tipped
with Berkley crappie nibbles in the white, chartreuse or gold metal
flake colors. Popular color combos have ranged from red/chartreuse to
some white/orange, black/chartreuse, and blue/chartreuse variations.
Crappie action will likely hold up week for several more weeks until the
summer doldrums arrive. Overall the June bite has been right on track
but overlooked by most anglers who are missing out on this underrated
period of the year.
A few scattered bluegill are showing up with hefty appetites as anglers
are catching them in a variety of depths and locations, a typical
scenario once bedding phases are in the rearview mirror and mayfly
hatches occur. Some nice bluegill have moved out toward deeper crappie
beds this week but a few remain near shallow flat and piers or
boathouses where shade is available and mayflies are hitting the
surface.
Catfish have been hanging out in midrange depths too and crappie anglers
are tying into a few that are sharing the submerged structures. A few
pontoons have been jug fishing and finding some activity back in the
bays as their bait presentations drift across the midrange hangouts.
Bass anglers continue to reel in some dandy stringers from variety of
locations and patterns. Ledge fishing is still paying dividends as hefty
stringers were taken this week by those tossing big shad colored
crankbaits, Texas rigged worms, and Carolina rigged worms and lizards.
Hopping a jig and craw combo is still working too as are some spoons
fished on the deeper sides of drop-offs.
While a lot of decent size fish are holding on the breaks or moving up
at times to feed in the 10 to 12 foot zones, reports continue to credit
deeper depths at times for producing some of the better fish taken in
the tournament scene.
Close behind the ledge pattern has been the increasing popularity of the
milfoil grassbed pattern that jumped into the limelight two weeks ago.
While not much grass has been observed north of the White Oak or
Harmon’s Creek sector, there appears to be increasing mats of the
aquatic vegetation showing up in the New Johnsonville sector.
Anglers are tossing spinnerbaits, floating worms, jerk baits, Texas
rigged worms, and Rattle Trap style lures wherever vegetation can be
located. No doubt the bass are relating to the grass that is full of
shad and bluegill forage.
Summer patterns for bass and crappie, along with other species, are
about where they should be for this time of year and the overall fishing
scene is holding up to its reputation as the transition of seasons takes
place.
Spring is about to fade away and while it has been somewhat unusual, it
will go down as a season that was kind to anglers providing some very
good weather these last few months that resulted in a productive
fishery. Odds are future springs will not be as nice as the one we’ve
just enjoyed.
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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