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Steve McCadams'
Kentucky Lake Fishing Report for:
June 18th, 2004
KENTUCKY LAKE RETURNS TO NORMAL ELEVATION
Water levels have been falling all week here on Kentucky Lake as
TVA attempts to draw the reservoir back down to normal summer pool
elevation.
After a week of high water, TVA really pulled the plug early this
week as the reservoir started falling several inches each day. You could
tell a difference in elevation from morning to afternoon.
There was a lot of current in the Tennessee River this week, which
seemed to stimulate baitfish movement.
By this weekend, the reservoir will be at the 359 mark, according to
TVA projections.
Mayfly hatches have been underway and that’s a clear indication that
summer patterns are here. And, summer officially arrives on Monday but
most of us who were on the lake last week felt like the warm
temperatures and humidity, coupled with those afternoon thunderstorms,
had already escorted the change of seasons. It sure felt like summer out
there!
Surface temperatures are in the 80 to 84 degree range. Watercolor is
mostly clear throughout most of the reservoir, although a few points or
islands may have some dingy water where wind has whipped up the
shoreline.
Bass action has been fair but will likely improve for most anglers
as the lake levels return to normal. The high water last weekend and
throughout the week has scattered the fish, especially the shallow bass
who have been running the banks and submerged weed beds.
The schools of pin minnows have had too much water and that has made
it tough to pattern shallow fish lately. Anglers were finding several
small bass taking spinnerbaits, flukes and floating worms, and some
Texas rigged worms and lizards around the visible bushes and willow
trees in coves and along river islands.
Some shallow running crankbaits were also producing when worked over
submerged weedbeds. And, the bass always seem to feed on the mayflies
too so they’ve had an abundance of food sources.
A few bass remained on main lake ledges where anglers were tossing
big, deep diving crankbaits, along with Carolina rigged lizards. It
appears some of the larger fish are backing off the banks but the high
water has had some negative effect on the deep fish too.
With falling lake levels comes current so that should enhance the
activity in the days ahead. A lot of island points will have minnows
schooled behind structure in attempts to dodge the current and that will
help congregate the bass.
Main lake ledges will improve too as some of the shallow bass that
have been roaming the banks will now pull back to ledges and relate to
submerged stumps and brush.
Mayfly hatches around the Paris Landing area this week have
attracted several bluegill and bass. Anglers can have a lot of fun with
light tackle beneath the overhanging trees as must about every specie of
fish is roaming the buffet line there.
Toss some small grubs or crickets and you’ll get plenty of action.
You might catch a few small fish mixed in but chances are you’ll hook up
with a few good bream or bass during the day, not to mention a catfish
or two.
Crappie action remains good and veteran guides are catching some
good stringers while dunking jigs tipped with live minnows. There’s a
lot of small fish biting but you’ll also find several fish exceeding the
10-inch minimum length limit.
Some fish are coming from the deep ledges on the main lake where
depths of 18 to 20 feet have produced. There’s also several fish
relating to structure in the midrange zone of 12 to 14 feet where
manmade stake beds and brush piles are located.
Sauger are showing up with a little more regularity this week. The
main lake ledges are holding some fish in depths of 12 to 15 feet. And,
on cloudy days the sauger are moving up on top of the ledge so trolling
might pay off this week if you find the right colored crankbait.
A few white bass and rockfish are hitting around the piers at the
Ned McWherter Bridge as current has stimulated baitfish activity there
this week.
Catfish are on the prowl and moving back to the edge of the
riverbank. Depths of 20 to 30 feet should pay off this week, as current
will work in favor of catfishermen. Nightcrawlers, chicken liver, and
leeches are the most popular baits.
All in all, fishing will improve as the lake stages fall and current
stimulates baitfish activity this week. It should make it easier to
pattern fish now that the high water is leaving.
For The Lake Barkley Report
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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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