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Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
CRAPPIE BITE IMPROVES ON KENTUCKY LAKE AS FALL APPROACHES
Crappie fishing has improved for Kentucky Lake anglers lately and it
seems to have put a little pep in the step for fishermen anxious to get
this fall fishing scene going. Autumn officially arrives next Monday on
the calendar.
Despite some above average temperatures since September arrived crappie
have moved up a bit and occupying structure in midrange depths of 9 to
14 feet. Several nice stringers were taken lately and most fishermen
feel there’s a better fall fishing season ahead.
Jane and Tom TN Crew
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
It appears somewhat cooler days are in the forecast too as the last two
weeks have seen above average temps setting records and topping out in
the mid to upper 90’s. By this weekend highs will remain in the 80’s and
stay that way according to the weatherman’s long range forecast.
Surface temps this week were in the 82 to 83 degree range. Watch for
cooler nights and somewhat mild days ahead to pull that down into the
70’s by next week.
Lake levels continue to fall slowly and readings this week at Kentucky
Dam and upstream around the New Johnsonville area have dropped to the
355.3 range at times. That’s the lowest lake level since back in late
March.
A lack of rain across the TVA valley these last few weeks hasn’t
delivered runoff into the Tennessee River system. Water color remains
clear across the reservoir.
Tom and "OC" from Chicago
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
Lower lake levels are normal for fall fishing and anglers can usually
adapt and alter their fishing locations. However, all boaters are urged
to use caution this time of year and pay close attention to channel
markers. Avoid the temptation to take those shortcuts across main lake
sandbars and flats.
Meanwhile, the crappie bite has stimulated interest among the ranks of
fishermen who logged a lot of unproductive days earlier this spring and
summer. Experiencing the improvement has been a welcomed change.
Each year crappie transition from their deep summer venues and follow
their forage base toward midrange to shallow areas as surface temps
cool. Already underway has been that migration toward midrange depths in
main lake flats and back into large bays as the fish follow schools of
shad.
Most successful anglers have been relying on live minnows or jigs tipped
with minnows. A few anglers reported using only jigs at times and
catching fish too.
Techniques have ranged from vertical fishing down around submerged
stakebeds and brushpiles to stalking main lake ledges. Some boats have
resorted to slow trolling Road Runner style jigs in long-line style
presentations while others trolled crankbaits.
As of late the vertical style of bait presentations have paid the most
dividends. The fish have acclimated toward structure lately and that
pattern should hold up well for the next few weeks.
Roger Binkley and Chase Binkley
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
Not many crappie have moved up to shallow structure just yet but that
will change once surface temps cool and rainy, cloudy days descend. You
know it’s dry when even fishermen are yearning for rain!
Earlier this year around late May and early June there were positive
signs of shad fry roaming the shorelines and weedbeds. It appeared a
good spawn took place and by early summer huge schools of shad
fry---which anglers often refer to as pin minnows--- could be seen
swimming around boat docks, treelaps and even out in the main lake
areas.
Anglers haven’t seen a good hatch like that in the last 3 years so there
is reason among the ranks for optimism. Bass, crappie and all anglers
benefit from a good forage base and it appears that’s already helping
the early fall crappie bite as fish are quite healthy.
Fall crappie fishing is often overlooked and underrated by most anglers.
The season has several attributes, namely stable weather and water
levels plus light winds. Another plus is light fishing pressure as you
can fight fish without having to fight the crowd!
From the bass arena comes reports of fair fishing by those tossing swim
baits, crankbaits and suspending jerk baits on main lake ledges. That
summer pattern is still producing and some anglers are still fishing
Texas rigged worms and jig and craw combos out there the same way they
did during the mid-summer.
Dave and Jeff KY Crew
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
Last weekend’s Bass Fishing League (BFL) on Kentucky/Barkley Lakes was
won by Bill Schroeder of Paducah, KY who fished brush piles in 12-foot
depths with a 9/16-ounce green-pumpkin jig with a Zoom Salty Pro Chunk.
His two-day total of 22-pounds, 12-ounces earned him a check for $6,122.
However, a lot of experienced bass fishermen have struggled lately to
put consistent patterns together. The shallow bite has been quite
sluggish and likely a victim of high surface temperatures.
Soon bass should begin to move up toward gravel banks and take on a more
aggressive attitude.
Catfish continue to show up in decent numbers for some boaters working
the main river bank channel. Depths of 25 to 35 feet have given up a few
big catfish lately for anglers using cut bait, nightcrawlers and chicken
liver.
Not all the catfish are deep as several crappie fishermen are tying into
them on a pretty regular basis when fishing midrange brushpiles and
stakebeds. Depths of 12 feet have given up several catfish!
As fall finally arrives Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene should experience
a cool down with surface temps falling into the upper 70’s by next week
when a chill in the night air comes into play.
It appears this long hot spell that has lingered far too long will
finally begin to loosen its grip. Putting on that long sleeve shirt is
long overdue!
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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