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In Memory of
Keith Simmons from IN
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
MARCH FISHING SCENE HAS MANY FACES
Kentucky Lake’s March fishing scene continues to change from week to
week as both the weather and lake levels have been riding a roller
coaster.
That’s not unusual as March has a reputation for bringing unstable
conditions to the region as spring knocks on the door. Although
fishermen had a nice week recently with above average temperatures and
light winds it sort of spoiled folks into thinking an early spring might
be in the cards.
The honeymoon with spring fever proved to be short. Spring doesn’t
officially arrive until March 20th---a week from Sunday---but nothing
wrong with hoping it gets here early.
Jane and Tom TN Crew
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
Meanwhile, falling temperatures and falling lake levels are the story
this week. Anglers around these parts know to keep the coveralls
accessible until mid-April. Best to prepare for the worst and hope for
the best when heading out on the lake this time of year.
Lake levels have been falling rather fast the last few days---as much as
six inches daily at times---as TVA has really been pushing water through
Kentucky Dam in an effort to pull the reservoir back down to its low ebb
of winter pool.
Midweek lake levels were around 355.7 and will be near the winter pool
range of 354 by this weekend it appears if the reservoir continues to
recede. Last week’s high water is gone, taking with it a lot of stain or
dingy water that was present in the upper ends of bays and creeks.
Surface temperatures rose last week in response to sunny days and warm
nights. Readings climbed out of the upper 40’s and have now crossed the
threshold into the lower 50’s.
Tom and "OC" from Chicago
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
The rapid warm up was paving the way for rapid movement of both bass and
crappie toward shallow water but cooler weather now in progress plus
falling lake stages have curtailed that for the time being. The
weatherman indicates a cold snap will enter the picture by this weekend
bringing nighttime temps down below the freezing mark.
Although winter is still in command it appears temps will moderate by
early next week as spring like conditions will soon return. Daytime
temps are forecast to rise back to the upper 60’s and low 70’s by the
middle of next week.
That should stimulate some movement toward shallow flats and backwater
bays for both bass as crappie. With warmer weather coinciding with
stable lake stages it should set the stage for prespawn crappie to begin
the first phase of their annual ritual.
Anglers should be able to find more fish entering the 6 to 12 foot zones
as crappie stair step their way toward spawning venues. Up Big Sandy
some fish may move up even shallower as that shallow basin will warm
quicker if warm weather arrives.
Roger Binkley and Chase Binkley
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
Crappie fishermen last week struggled to find significant numbers
regardless of their techniques. Veteran anglers searched high and low
but the fish were scattered and the overall bite was finicky.
Some fishermen reported finding a fish or two taken in extremely deep
water such as 25 to 28 feet at times but no schooling fish. Same
scenario for boats slow trolling or long lining in midrange depths; a
fish or two here and there but no real pattern of success.
Vertical presentations of jigs or live minnows around manmade fish
attractors had similar results. It was great to be out on the lake in
the beautiful weather but the fish didn’t get the memo. This week kicked
off on a cold and windy note so the overall bite has been off.
Last week’s high water even had a few bank fishermen crawling out of
hibernation and testing the water at Big Sandy culvert and around the
discharge at Springville pumphouse.
Watch for activity to improve next week once warmer days return and link
up with stable lake levels that will entice crappie to begin migrating
from deep water hideouts to midrange staging areas. The biological clock
will start ticking by the middle of next week and should jump start the
early spring transition.
Dave and Jeff KY Crew
Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing
"1 pole jig fishing"
Crappie Action
Guide Service
Weather is always the guiding factor for the early spring bite. A few
days of spring conditions will produce positive results while some cold
days with nasty north winds will push crappie back to deeper depths
where they will stage until surface temps climb into the upper 50’s.
Main lake ledges and humps where deep structure can be located in the 12
to 15 foot range should be productive areas---maybe deeper in some
zones---until a rapid warm up returns. Once the next warm spell descends
and surface temps climb to the upper 50’s anglers will see crappie make
a blitz and move up fast.
Bass fishermen have been tossing a wide variety of crankbaits lately and
searching at random for a few fish that are known to move up early
toward rocky points and gravel banks. Last week’s warm spell saw a few
fish do just that but not in significant numbers.
A few anglers managed to land a nice lunker largemouth or smallmouth for
their casting efforts but limits of fish were not easy to come by. A
good one here or there but not many at a spot.
With the water color beginning to clear many anglers are switching from
loud florescent color combinations that had appeal during the dingy to
muddy water week that just passed to shad variations and crawfish color
choices.
Some are tossing Carolina rigged claws, suspending jerk baits and jig
and craw combos. Others are offering swim baits off deep banks or
perhaps deep diving crankbaits or Rattle Trap style presentations in an
effort to cover more water.
March may have a reputation for unstable weather and lake conditions but
it’s also known for yielding some of Kentucky Lake’s biggest bass of the
year. The females will be sporting bulging bellies in preparation for
spawning so this time of year has the potential to produce some of the
lake’s largest bass!
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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