for what it's worth
STEVE'S WEEKLY KENTUCKY LAKE FISHING REPORT
(Updated April 11th, 2008)
LAKE LEVELS FALLING AS CRAPPIE SPAWN APPROACHES...BASS ON BANK BUSHES AND TREES
by Steve McCadams
Look close and you’ll see an increasing amount of bald headed anglers fishing Kentucky Lake. That’s because just about everyone is pulling their hair out over unstable conditions that have played havoc with the spring fishing scene.
From changing lake levels to changing weather, anglers on Kentucky Lake have had some hurdles. To say it’s been tough would be greatly understating the fishing scenario.
March madness may have come and gone but it appears awful April has taken its place.
Since last week fishermen have encountered falling lake levels that quickly did a turnaround in the aftermath of heavy rains that contributed to a rapid rise of some three feet in three days.
Now, lake levels are falling again in this unusual spring that has dealt a tough blow to most anglers who wonder when the peak spawning time for crappie will occur. Also of interest is whether or not fish will come to shallow shorelines to spawn in the next few days while TVA attempts to pull lake levels back down to the agency’s elevation curve.
Crappie normally spawn when surface temps reach the 62 to 66 degree and stay there for a few days. Although some warm-up occurred earlier in the week, the water cooled at midweek and hasn’t rebounded back just yet but it's getting there.
Presently, surface temperatures are in the 59 to 61 degree range after making a brief visit to the low 60’s on Monday. Cooler weather is in the forecast for the weekend so that could push the early spawning phase back toward the middle or latter part of next week.
High winds Wed/Thurs were tough on anglers and limited movement on the lake. However, surface temps warmed throughout the day and a few more fish seemed to head toward structure this afternoon and the bite improved.
Each day will see crappie move closer to the threshold of spawning. Warm weather is expected to return by early next week and that warm up could stimulate active phases of spawning. My guess is a few fish will begin spawning in the next few days with a surge in activity by the middle of next week.
Water color is pretty good in the main lake with slight more stain present in the upper ends of bays.
Lake levels are falling fast as TVA really pulled the plug the last few days. Elevation at both New Johnsonville and Kentucky Dam is expected to be in the 362 range as the weekend approaches. That’s down some four feet since the lake crested Tuesday near the 366 mark, which made it about 9 feet over normal for this time of year.
Although some heavy rain and thunderstorms moved through the area Thursday night, look for lake levels to continue a rapid decent in the days ahead as TVA spills water through Kentucky Dam in an attempt to get lake levels back down and create more storage capacity.
Crappie fishing may improve by early next week as lower lake stages will help but a cool front this weekend isn’t welcomed news. Still, with water temps reluctant to climb into the mid 60’s and stay there, the timetable will continue to be pushed back as to prime time spawning phases.
Meanwhile, crappie anglers may well see some buck bush fishing opportunities next week as fish creep toward shoreline habitat that has been inundated for quite some time. Those bushes and willow trees could very well appeal to fish looking for spawning territory next week as lake levels are likely to be somewhat above normal.
Fish have been tough to pattern the last few days as they continue to roam and scatter out away from structure. A few fish have suspended in the middle of nowhere as they too have been confused by changing lake levels.
Some anglers scored decent stringers this week as they trolled and dragged long lines in open water making several different depth presentations. It has been a one-here, one –there scenario for most.
Mike Alverson of Martinsville, IN had a good catch last Friday morning when he landed a 3.2-pound slab crappie here in the Paris Landing area. After weighing the fish on certified scales he released it to one day bite again for another lucky angler.
Up near New Hope and Country Junction some fish were taken in the 12 to 14 foot flats earlier in the week. Spider rigs and drifting multipole presentations have been the most productive techniques as boats covering the most open water have done the best.
Some fish were lingering on the deep sides of ledges too and at the mouth of Big Sandy depths of 20 to 24 feet were harboring scattered fish. However, the fish have not been relating to structure and that has made it difficult for anglers to locate them.
Other areas still producing have been the Big Sandy culvert where good crappie fishing continues for bank fishermen. And, watch for the backwater in West Sandy to begin producing fish in the days ahead as well.
The falling lake levels should help anglers get a better handle on things in the days ahead.
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apprentice
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