|
This page brought to you by:
Keith from IN
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
LAKE LEVELS RISE…INSTABILITY CONTINUES FOR ANGLERS
For most Kentucky Lake anglers the first full week of summer was a bit
challenging. That’s because unstable weather last weekend saw severe
thunderstorms and some heavy rain at times sending anglers back to
marinas and boat ramps for refuge.
Tornadoes were in the region and the gale winds damaged boat docks and
marinas on the north end of the lake. Around the Paris Landing area most
areas dodged the bullet but conditions did interfere with fishing plans.
Jane and Tom TN Crew
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
The week started with gale winds lingering but settled down and by
midweek summer temps took over with heat and humidity.
Unstable lake levels continue to enter the picture for anglers as well.
The reservoir was rising again with TVA projecting a level of 362.8 by
this weekend, which is more than three feet above the normal summer pool
elevation of 359.
That’s not good news for most anglers but once again fishermen are
having to adjust and adapt to what has been a most unusual June in terms
of weather and lake levels.
Surface temperatures reflect the warmer days and nights. Readings are
starting out around 79 to 80 degrees each morning and rising to the 83
degree range at midday.
Water color is relatively clear across most of the reservoir but some
dingy to stained conditions were present along the main Tennessee River
channel this week and in portions of Big Sandy as well in the aftermath
of some heavy rains and runoff.
Tom and "OC" from Chicago
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
Bass fishermen will again be able to pound the shorelines as water
levels returned to buck bushes and weedbeds that would normally be a bit
too shallow to fish.
Several schools of pin minnows are now present around visible structure.
That should help the shallow bite, luring bass to the newly inundated
structure where an abundant food source awaits them.
Tossing a spinnerbait and Texas rigged worm or craw should be productive
for a week or so. Using buzzbaits and some floating worms or assorted
jerk baits will likely appeal too.
For those preferring to stay on a deep water summer patterns the main
lake ledges will likely hold on to fish who ride out the rising lake
levels in their deep water hideouts.
Big Texas rigged worms, crankbaits, jig and pig combos and swim baits
will remain in the summer bass anglers’ arsenal.
There hasn’t been much current present this week as rising lake levels
took that out of the equation. However, once TVA pulls the plug---and
that will happen soon---watch for a lot of current on the main river
channel plus around the rims of river islands.
Current will push the baitfish up around weeds and bushes so that will
help both shallow fishermen as well as ledge fishermen looking to find
schools of bass hiding on the down current sides of main lake humps and
sandbars.
Roger Binkley and Chase Binkley
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
Crappie anglers continue to find some scattered fish in the 12 to 15
foot depth range, which will now have another two or three feet of water
on it due to lake stages swelling above the norm.
Rising lake levels usually scatter crappie so until the reservoir crests
and begins to fall it could be tough for early summer crappie anglers
attempting to establish a depth pattern.
Some fish were taken this week by anglers using live minnows or jigs
tipped with both minnows and Berkley power bait. Deep stakebeds and
brushpiles were harboring small numbers of fish in the Paris Landing
sector. Anglers were having to make a lot of stops to accumulate double
digit number of keeper size fish.
A few boats were trolling crankbaits or pulling long line twister tails
and Roadrunner style jigs but bites were scarce. Some boaters using
spider rigs were finding a few suspended fish playing their game as they
worked deeper water.
Small mayfly hatches were still occurring in the aftermath of
thunderstorms this week. A few bluegill were moving up to steep banks
where overhanging trees and bushes were delivering flies their way.
Dave and Jeff KY Crew
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
Catfish had been hitting pretty good as boaters were moving out to the
main river channel last week and working the edge of the channel in
depths of 30 feet. However, rising lake levels will see catfish move up
fast and occupy bays and backwater areas until lake levels recede.
Some pontoons and boats were having success as they fished jugs drifted
out over open bays. Nightcrawlers were the bait of choice.
And so it is that Kentucky Lake anglers continue to ride a roller
coaster. This week it’s lake levels that are changing fast. June isn’t
known as a month with changing lake levels but seems the early summer is
already reflecting the unusual spring conditions anglers endured back in
April and May!
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.
|
