Lack of rain has put strain on area lakes, fishermen
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| Frank Flack |
Out on the lake | By Frank Flack
Both Kentucky and Barkley lakes are fluctuating some from the summer pool mark.
Low water conditions and lack of rain has put a strain on both lakes and slowed the fishing for some however the reports still indicate that the bite is good. Water conditions are good on both lakes. You can monitor water levels for both lakes at www.lakeinfo.tva.gov.
Local anglers report the largemouth bass bite as good. Lack of rain and the need to keep all of the lakes on the Cumberland and Tennessee River chains at a safe level for barge traffic has limited the TVA from generating or discharging any water.
Summer patterns are holding pretty much true on both lakes with fish holding on main lake ledges, humps and creek drops. These fish are hitting a number of lures with the strongest bite coming off Texas rigged 10-inch worms, jigs and deep diving crankbaits.
These same fish are also hitting Carolina rigged plastics and ¾-ounce spinnerbaits at times as well. The best ledges seem to have a little grass on them that are holding the baitfish and of course attract the largemouth. There has been some schooling activity late in the day.
There is still a good shallow bite on Lake Barkley, especially down south. However the better stringers of fish are starting to come off main lake structure on big worms and crankbaits. Both lakes have a strong morning and evening topwater bite happening in the back of the creeks.
The grass is starting to show itself on Kentucky Lake and it can play a factor in your fishing game plan. You’ll want to cast a buzzbait or plastic Zoom Horny Toad around or in the grass to get your best results.
The Grass is really starting to come along on the southern end of Kentucky Lake.
Local anglers report the smallmouth bass bite is good. The smallmouth are holding in the same areas as the largemouth and at times especially early in the day and late evening or at night the bite improves.
These fish are hitting Carolina rigged creature baits and jigs. Some smallmouth are being taken on secondary points in the bays and on main lake points early in the day on topwater lures, tube jigs and jigs.
Local anglers report the crappie bite as slow.
Local anglers report the bluegill bite as improving. The bluegill are biting early and late in the day around mayfly hatches on crickets and worms fished under bobbers.
Local anglers report the catfish bite as good. The channel catfish are being taken along the old creek channels on bottom rigs baited with shrimp, leeches and large minnows.
Local anglers report the white bass bite as good. These fish are being taken along the river channel ledges by vertically fishing with inline spinners and small spoons as well as by trolling these lures behind deep diving crankbaits.
Information for this report was provided by www.kentuckylakeguide.com.
Kentucky Lake: Headwater Elevation – 358.07 Surface Temperature – 84
Lake Barkley: Headwater Elevation – 358.35 Surface Temperatures – 84
Frank Flack is an outdoor writer for the Kentucky New Era. His column runs every Saturday. He can be reached by telephone at 887-3260 or by e-mail at jwilson@kentuckynewera.com.
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