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June / 2014
Joe and Judy Bernath from Tennessee
Kentucky Lake Crappie fishing
photo courtesy:
Crappie Action Guide Service
DON’T LET WARM DAYS KEEP YOU OFF THE LAKE…FISHING IS GOOD!
If you listen to some of the weathermen then you’d almost be afraid to
go outside these days as they embellish the heat index and the threat of
thunderstorms. No doubt they have a job to do but warm days and thunder
boomers are part of summer.
Dodging a few storms and keeping an eye in the sky comes with the
territory this time of year so don’t let it keep you from fishing. Just
use common sense; keep yourself hydrated and be generous with the
sunscreen applications.
Lake levels this week are up a few inches but staying around the normal
summer pool mark. The reservoir will be 359.3 this weekend at Kentucky
Dam and 359 upstream at New Johnsonville.
Surface temps are in the 81 to 84 degree range. . Water color is clear
in the main lake with some dingy water in the main channel and in the
upper ends of bays where runoffs enters.
Kentucky Lake’s summer fishing scene is holding up well with some nice
stringers of crappie, bass and catfish coming in. More mayfly hatches
occurred this week too as flies were seen in the Cypress Bay area and
across the river along the LBL side as well. Hatches were also underway
down around the Leatherwood and Lick Creek sector and south toward
Danville islands.
Summer fishing is alive and well for bass anglers who continue to find
shallow fish chasing schools of pin minnows around docks and piers,
treelaps, and some shallow grass and buck bushes along river islands.
Tossing spinnerbaits, Texas rigged worms and various surface baits have
worked well.
In the aftermath of the FLW bass tournament tour more anglers are
working those main lake ledges with big baits such as 10-inch Texas
rigged worms, big spoons, huge deep diving crankbaits, and jig and craw
combos. The drop-offs have produced well lately but fishing pressure has
been a factor.
While most all of the winning tournament stringers are coming from
anglers fishing ledges, you can still have a big time and find plenty of
bass working shallow structure if you locate the baitfish.
Night fishing has increased in popularity lately as well with some bass
anglers working those sloping sandbars with big spinnerbaits.
Catfishermen are hoping for some current as action was slow earlier in
the week due to lack of flow. That could change for the better as recent
rains may send more water into the system, creating some current in the
main channel that should stimulate the bite.
A few boaters have been jug fishing and scoring decent catches while
baiting with nightcrawlers and chicken livers.
Crappie continue to hit well as June lost its grip and July took over. A
lot of anglers overlook the summer crappie fishery but it has been
pretty good out there lately as fish are holding in the 13 to 16 foot
depth range and relating well to structure.
Tipping jigs with minnows has worked well. Although the fish are not
schooled you can make several stops and find a few around stakebeds and
brushpiles.
Other techniques producing have been crankbaits trolled along the edges
of main lake ledges. The presentation covers a lot of water and you
often find a variety ranging from bass to catfish, not to mention
several crappie.
Some mayfly hatches were stirring up a few bluegill and bass too.
Casting those steep banks beneath the overhanging trees or around bridge
piers and gravel banks can produce some bluegill. Casting crickets
beneath bobbers or tossing small beetle spin style lures will work.
Catch a few mornings with a light breeze mixed with some cloud cover and
you’ll find this summer fishing season is pretty good.
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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