Lake levels have started to drop this week, levels this past weekend were at 357.6ft at New Johnsonville, with TVA predicting a fall this week closer to the 357.0 ft mark by the end of the week. Expect flow rates to increase to around 30,000cfs from the average we’ve been seeing of around 20,000cfs. This should help fishermen who fish the ledges and drops out on the river. Both the Duck and Buffalo Rivers were low this past weekend, with the Duck River at 1.5ft (at Dyer Rd) and the Buffalo at 3.5ft (normal is just under 5ft). Flow rates on both the Duck and Buffalo Rivers were very low. Area lake surface temps have now crossed the 90 degree mark.
Fishing has improved for some, with the hot surface temperatures, as most fish have moved to areas with cooler water. Bass fishermen need to look for areas like creek mouths, deeper water ledges, or underwater springs. As always, look for baitfish activity, as it looks like we have had another good shad spawn this year. Crappie are being taken in the deeper areas of the bays, mainly closer to the mouths of the bays. Out by the main river channel, look for crappie in water depths of around 20ft and with the plentiful shad it can be a chore to entice them to take your offerings. Catfish are being taken along the edges of the main river channel, especially near the deeper holes. Most seem to be suspended off the bottom, so fish a few feet off the bottom with nightcrawlers, chicken livers, or cut bait while drifting with the current.
TWRA online WMA duck blind drawings concluded on July 20th, but the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will make in-person duck blind announcements at nine locations on Saturday, Aug. 6. Events will begin at 9 a.m. and the blind announcements start at 10 a.m. The Aug. 6 events are being made in person in support of community events and activities.
TWRA Region I:
· Kentucky Lake WMA, Big Sandy Ball Park
· West Sandy WMA, Henry County Fairgrounds, Paris
· Barkley WMA, Stewart County High School, Dover
· Reelfoot WMA, Reelfoot Lake State Park Visitor Center
· Tigrett WMA, Dyer County Fairgrounds
· Gooch WMA, Obion City Park
TWRA also announced that a CWD-positive deer was found in Dyer County, with the closest CWD positive deer in our area was found in the western part of Henry Co. The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission automatically institutes a deer carcass transportation and wildlife feeding restrictions in all positive and high risk counties to best manage CWD in the state.