Brought to you by: Fishtale Lodge
Steve McCadams'
Kentucky Lake Fishing Report for:
July 2nd, 2004
MAYFLY HATCHES UNDERWAY…SUMMER CRAPPIE, CATFISH AND
BASS ACTION GOOD
This week’s Kentucky Lake fishing scene has seen rising lake levels
as crappie, catfish, and bass action continues to hold up well.
Lake levels rose to about a foot above summer pool stage at midweek.
New Johnsonville reported readings of 360 on Wednesday and Kentucky Dam
was reporting 359.9. Heavy rains to our south have apparently
contributed to the rising reservoir.
However, TVA indicates lake levels are falling now and should
continue falling throughout the weekend until the reservoir is pulled
back down to summer pool readings of 359. Anglers can expect a lot of
current in the main Tennessee River channel this weekend and early next
week.
Surface temperatures remain in the 82 to 84 degree range. Big Sandy
continues to have clear water while dingy color is present throughout
most of the Tennessee River area due to a high volume of water flushing
through the system this week.
Speaking of current, catfishermen should see positive results for
the next week or so as the cats go on prowl along the Tennessee River
channel banks. Current should really stimulate catfish movement as the
baitfish move around more and close on their trail will be hungry
catfish.
Depths of 20 to 35 feet have been producing. The big three baits of
choice continue to be nightcrawlers, leeches, and chicken liver. Soon
the catalpa worms will be out and that’s another great source of catfish
bait.
Crappie are still hitting good as the cloudy days have kept some
decent size fish up in that 12 to 15 foot zone. There’s still a lot of
small fish there with them but you can cull the young ones and find some
dandies mixed in with them.
It appears a few more fish have moved off the flats and now residing
on the deep sides of main lake ledges this week. The deep sides of the
drop-offs in 17 to 24 feet were producing some fish as anglers worked
live minnows and jigs there on bottom bumping rigs.
This is the time of year when you’ll also tangle with a catfish,
sauger, whitebass, or a largemouth while you’re dunking that crappie rig
too! That always wakes you up and straightens out the kinks in that
light line!
Overall, summer crappie fishing is holding its own.
Bass anglers are still finding fish both shallow and deep as pin
minnows running the islands and shoreline weedbeds are attracting fish.
And, several treelaps on the main river shorelines are holding baitfish
and bass.
Current has also been a factor this week for anglers working island
points and main lake ledges as it often helps put the baitfish on cover.
The minnows hide behind structure in an attempt to get out of the
current, making it easier to pattern the whereabouts of bass.
Shallow patterns have been working for anglers tossing floating
worms and flukes, spinnerbaits, and topwater jerk baits. Pitching a jig
or Texas rigged worms has worked too.
Main lake ledges have given up some bass this week too as anglers
continue to toss Carolina rigged lizards and worms. And, the big deep
diving crankbaits such as Poe’s 400-series and Norman’s Deep N-20 Plus
have produced too.
A few good smallmouth have been showing up too as those main lake
sandbars where current is present seem to stimulate activity from the
bronzebacks. Small inline spinners, crankbaits, and hair jigs have
worked on smallmouth as have some spoons and Roadrunner style baits.
Although not a lot of reports this week, there are a few anglers
already trying the night bass fishing routine. Watch for that to improve
as the doldrums days of summer continue.
Mayfly hatches are still very much in fashion as both bluegill and
bass are feasting on the buffet. Watch for continued hatches this week
as these hot days and thunderstorms really seem to stimulate the mayfly
hatches.
There was another good hatch at midweek in the Paris Landing area
with some flies reported up near the old Danville railroad bridge area
as well.
A few anglers are trolling the main riverbank in hopes of finding
sauger and white bass. Action has been somewhat slow with a few fish
showing up in the early morning and late afternoon periods.
There’s still some stripers hitting too as those deep diving
crankbaits appeal to the feisty fish who love the open water sandbars
where current is present.
Not much to report in the whitebass department as very few sightings
of surface activity have occurred. Some anglers are picking up a few
scattered white bass when trolling while others are finding some under
the lights as night fishing becomes more popular.
It’s going to be a busy boating weekend ahead so be cautious out
there and watch out for the other boaters…and jet skies!
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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