Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene received a reprieve this week from the hot and humid conditions with a few cooler days with lower humidity. Responding to the cooler conditions have been surface temperatures. Temps dropped this week down to the 83 degree range for a few days. Readings had been staying in the upper 80’s so that’s another break for fishermen. Water color remains clear and lake levels continue a path toward winter pool on TVA’s curve for annual drawdown. Things are about normal for this time of year. Lake levels are projected to be in the 357.5 this weekend in the Kentucky Dam sector while upstream around New Johnsonville the elevation will be slightly lower at 357.4. As always the projections depend on rainfall throughout the valley.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Most of the better stringers of bass continue to come from main lake ledges where boaters are targeting submerged humps, ledges and the edge of the main river channel itself. With lower lake levels now in progress shoreline habitat has diminished and the shallow bite has declined. A few fish have lingered around boat docks and piers where some cover and shade has appealed, especially if baitfish are present. A few scattered mayfly hatches have occurred and attracted some bass to shallow, steep banks at times but hatches have been inconsistent. Several bass were hanging around midrange depths of 10 to 14 feet where submerged crappie beds were providing attractive structure. Brushpiles and stakebeds always seem to hold bass even during the peak of hot summer months. Still popular on the menu of anglers have been jig and split-tail trailers, big Texas rigged worms in the green pumpkin pepper or cotton candy color ranges, big deep diving crankbaits and even some giant spoons.
SMALLMOUTH BASS: No Report available
Crappie: Crappie anglers have endured pretty tough times overall. A few boats have been seen trolling crankbaits at times while others were vertical fishing live minnows and some jigs over midrange stakebeds and brushpiles. Several small fish are still the norm. Depths of 11 to 13 feet were holding some fish in the manmade structure. Deeper drop-offs with structure in the 18 to 25 feet haven’t produced very well. Seems a lot of the normal summer holes have not held fish as of late.
Bluegill/Red Ears: No change from last week. Bluegill continue to be taken on the edges of some steep banks where overhanging trees holding mayflies are attracting several. Casting slip bobbers armed with crickets or nightcrawlers continues to be productive at times.
Catfish: Catfishermen are playing the current and finding a few fish around the Paris Landing Ned McWherter Bridge piers lately. Depths of 35 to 40 feet were holding fish pretty good and anglers were using nightcrawlers and chicken livers to score best. Reports of some decent catches are coming from the tailwater areas of all three dams in our area. I’m seeing several boats along the old Cumberland River channel in Barkley who are fishing the ledges and creek channel junctions for catfish. When current is present the bite has been decent. Without the current the fish are somewhat lethargic. Cut bait, large minnows and stink baits will be your best bet.
White & Yellow Bass: The frequent jump activity of a couple of weeks ago has all but stopped. The lack of current is really hurting catches now. Many fishermen have turned the lake over to the pleasure boaters until after Labor Day.
