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Jane and Tom from TN 2017
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
Crappie Action
Guide Service
RARE COOL SPELL FOR AUGUST ANGLERS
At midweek, in the aftermath of thunderstorms, a rare August cool snap
descended and the change is suiting Kentucky Lake anglers just fine.
Lower humidity and temperatures aren’t the norm in late August but no
one is complaining. A touch of fall has indeed slipped in the door if
only for a short stay.
A few more fishermen will likely test the water in the days ahead. Last
week’s temps jumped in the low to mid 90’s most days as did earlier this
week and that curtailed activity. A few bass fishermen were out in the
early morning hours with only a token amount of catfish and crappie
anglers.
Although not many boats have been on the lake the cool snap now in
progress will likely stimulate activity from the fish and fishermen.
Surface temperatures this week have been in the 82 to 85 degree range.
Anglers might see a drop in surface temps by this weekend as some cool
nights are in the picture.
Lake levels have been falling slowly this week but some localized
flooding on Tuesday may see the reservoir crest for a few days.
Projected elevation for Kentucky Dam this weekend will be 356.9.
Upstream at New Johnsonville the reservoir is projected to be in the
356.7 range.
Water color remains clear in the main lake but several bays are stained
in the upper end after the thunderstorms. The upper end of Big Sandy
also had muddy water entering at midweek.
There has been a little current this week as TVA has been pulling water
most days through Kentucky Dam with enough volume to keep a little flow
in the main channel areas.
The slow current has helped bass and catfishing at times. Bass anglers
are finding main lake ledges paying dividends in a typical summer
pattern.
Big Texas rigged worms are still producing as are shad colored
variations of big deep diving crankbaits. Carolina rigged craws and
worms have produced too as have some swim baits.
Fish are relating to main lake ledges and chasing baitfish up on the
shallow sides of sandbars at times. Depths of 8 to 14 feet have been
producing. Some boats are tossing a jig and craw at times too and
working even deeper sides of ledges at times.
The summer crappie bite has been fair with a lot of small fish showing
up in a variety of depths. A few fish have stayed in the 9 to 13 foot
depth range where stakebeds are giving up several. Popular baits have
been jigs tipped with minnows and just plain minnows at times.
When using live minnows expect to encounter an abundance of yellow bass
in a variety of depths. The little rascals poses and endless appetite
and a fight to the finish attitude. They don’t grow very big but they
think they’re big!
Also producing have been the deep sides of main lake ledges where a few
anglers are using tightline techniques and bumping bottom around deep
brush piles and stumps in the 17 to 21 foot depth range. Live minnows
have worked well.
A few boats are trolling crankbaits along the main river channel areas
or around the mouth of bays that enter the main channel and finding
suspended crappie playing their game. Depths of 12 to 15 feet have been
productive as have a few zones even deeper.
Catfishermen haven’t been out in force but a few scattered boats have
targeted the edge of the main river channel and bumping bottom when
current stimulated the bite. Depths of 25 to 30 feet have produced for
anglers still relying on nightcrawlers and chicken livers for bait.
The overall fishing scene should see a little boost from the cooler
conditions, lower surface temperatures and slow current in the days
ahead.
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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