Lake levels were at the 360ft level last week, and have started falling back(as of the writing of this on Friday). TVA has predicted a fall back towards normal levels, this may change if we have a lot of added rainfall in the TN river valley this week. Normal levels are 354ft for winter pool, but TVA usually starts filling the lake on April 1st, and has the lake at summer pool by the end of April. If you would like to check current or predicted water levels for our area, you can call TVA’s lake level number @ 1-800-238-2264, then enter (1) for current levels or (2) for predicted lake levels, enter (46) to hear the levels at New Johnsonville. Water temps have been in the low 50’s for most areas, but with a warm spell this week, expect those temps to come up a bit. Flow rates have and will continue to be strong, with last week seeing over 350,000cfs, but has been reduced this past weekend to around 200,000cfs. Normal flow is usually around 25,000cfs.
A few crappie are starting to show up, most have been hanging in the deeper areas of 15-25ft around stake-bed and stumps, most have been out of the strong current which has been present a lot this winter. The bite has been slow, as fish seem to be picky in the murky water, so slow presentations are working the best. Some bass have moved up to the shallows as the water came up over 361ft last week, but most have pulled out as TVA drops the lake. Always look for active baitfish this time of year, as the bass are feeding up before the spawn begins. Catfish are scattered, but remain in areas just out of the strong current inside the bays, look close to the old river channel in the eddies.
Hunting season has ended, except for the seasons which continue year around, like groundhog, coyote, and skunk, but turkey season is just around the corner, with the juvenile season taking place on March 26-27th. The regular turkey season will begin on the weekend after the juvenile hunt, on April 2nd. As the weather warms and many have inclinations of heading out lake-ward to fish or just get out in the boat, as a reminder that most need to renew their fishing/hunting licenses, as they expired at the end of February. Everyone should also check their boats required safety equipment, such as life jackets, fire extinguishers as well as making sure the boat’s registration is valid. A change did occur to this years license structure, as licenses will be valid for a year from the date purchased, instead of from March 1st until the end of February. If anyone has any questions about hunting, fishing, or boating, you can look in last years hunting /fishing or boating guides or contact TWRA at 1-800-372-3928 (Jackson office).