Kentucky lake has remained stable over the last few weeks, with area lake levels are holding at 358.8ft and water temps are in the mid to upper 70’s. We saw an increase in flow last week; the added rainfall throughout the river system saw an increase of water coming into our area, but flow rates now have returned to normal.
Fishing activity has improved, as most fish have started to transition towards the summer patterns as the fish come off spawn. Bass fishermen have been looking for fish moving out to the humps and ledges, hoping the bass start schooling better. A few fish have been turning up off ledges, especially where shad are present, but most of the shad remain along the banks where vegetation is present. Some fishermen are finding topwater action when lowlight conditions are present; some buzz baits and buzzing spinnerbaits along the surface have been working. The bluegill bite continues but seems to be falling off somewhat but there have still been some good catches coming from known bedding areas. Shellcrackers have been hard to find this year with the clear water. I expect that many spawned deeper than normal and were missed by most, as many fishermen fished too shallow. Crappie have started to move into the mid depth ranges of 10-15ft and have started to relate to cover better. When this happens, they seem to ‘stack up’ better and roam less. We can hope we had a good shad spawn this year, as the shad are a main food source for most of our sports fish. As the summer progresses, the shad will move out into the open areas in the bays and along the river channel with the fish that feed on them close behind. Catfish seem to have gone on bed, as the water temps stabilize in the mid 70’s most of our catfish species will start spawning. Catfish spawn in shallow water in or under cover like hollow logs, undercut banks and anything they can get under or in. Blue and flathead cats will often not feed during the spawn, and become hard to catch. Smaller blues will not spawn and can continue to be caught, as does the channel catfish. The channel cat can be taken during the spawn; look for rock cover in the shallows, like rip-rap and log jams, fish nightcrawlers on the bottom or try using a float and keep moving along the bank until you find a few.
Area bass tournaments are; Hunts outdoor trail- June 25th out of Masons boat dock, and each Tuesday night out of the New Johnsonville boat ramp starting at 4 pm. Also coming up is the Kentucky Lake Open (the old Strike King Tournament) which will be June 11th. Last week’s tournaments saw an improvement in weight. The ABA district 30’s last event was a 2 day event; 1st place went to Greg Salley with a 2 day total of just over 17lbs, 2nd went to Trey Barber with just over 12lbs. The last Tuesday night tournament was won by father and son team on Kenneth Little with a total weight of 12lbs 14.5oz. and 2nd went to Clay Wallace with 12lbs even. Big fish was 4lb 10.5 oz.
As the summer approaches, a reminder not only to the fishermen, but ATV riders and swimmers, that all of our creeks are on private property. Permission must be obtained before entering on the property.Although the water flowing in the creeks are public, the land underneath is private with the only exception in our area being creeks on TVA property.