Area lakes and rivers saw a rise this past week, although TVA normally doesn’t have the lakes at “summer pool” until the end of April, we are now at summer pool levels, with Kentucky Lake at 359.2ft. Both the Duck and Buffalo Rivers also saw a rise. The Duck was predicted to crest on last Friday at 13.2ft, which is 10ft above normal levels. Flow rates have picked up as TVA tries to keep the lake at summer pool, with flow rates averaging over 80,000cfs this past weekend. The average surface water temperature is 60.8 degrees. The DO level is at 10.49mg/L with a pH level of 7.52. The Cumberland River at Dover was at 58.26ft and at 31.3ft at Clarksville. Cheatham Dam is releasing 52,000cfs on Friday.
With the rising water levels, and warming water temperatures, many fish should move into the shallows to begin their spawning activity. Many Bass and Crappie fishermen have been finding ‘bedding fish’ in the shallows, no doubt spawning. The normal spawning period for our area, for bass and crappie, is from the second week of April through the first few weeks in May. I’m guessing if the warm weather holds out, fishermen should be fishing the shallows the next few weeks. Catfishermen continue to find many channel cats in the shallows, most are fishing nightcrawlers, stink baits, and various cut baits, either fished on the bottom, or using floats. Most have been taken in the same areas that the crappie and bass would be spawning, as channel cats will move shallow looking to eat the eggs of other fish as they spawn. Trout fishermen haven’t been fishing much, and there are plenty of trout still in the areas that TWRA stocks. Fishermen wanting to use the TVA boat ramp off Elk Creek Rd in Cumberland City need to be aware that as of April 15th , the ramp will not be open until after October 15th. This is due to TVA needing to use the area as they build the new plant.
The juvenile turkey hunt is now behind us, and we had 39 turkeys checked in this past weekend. The top harvesting county for the state was Maury Co. which had 101 birds checked in. The statewide harvest was 2,374. Last year, the kids harvested 36 turkey in Humphreys Co. The Regular statewide turkey season opened last weekend, and as the numbers come in, I’ll keep everyone posted. It appears we have a good amount of birds to go around, and by delaying the season a few weeks, this gives the birds a chance to breed before getting shot at. I’ve seen a few hens already beginning to nest. Turkey hunters are reminded that turkeys are considered a “big game animal” and must be ‘checked in’ upon harvesting. The easiest way to report a harvested big game animal is to use the TWRA app, available for free to download at the ‘play store’ or ‘apple store.’ This app allows you not only to report harvested big game animals, but renew and purchase licenses, renew boat registrations, as well as view the latest hunting/fishing guides.
Upcoming April events; Too late to announce, but the Worlds largest Raccoon Hunt took place over the last weekend, and was held at the Decatur County Fairgrounds in Parsons Tn. Perry Co Bass Club on April 21st at New Johnsonville. The World's Biggest Fish Fry at Paris, Tn April 20-28th. Most events will be held at the Henry Co. Fairgrounds (219 Tyson Ave), Cast-N-Blast at Paris Landing State Park, and the Veterans Crappie Tournament on the 27th. (registration on 26th at the National Guard Armory at 285 County Home Rd) Boater Education Class on April 20th at Buffalo Ridge Refuge from 1pm-5pm (must be at least 12yrs old, and bring a Type 600 permit with you to class), you can per-register for the class by visiting TnWildlife.org and looking for the event on the ‘events’ page. Hickman County Bass Club on April 27th at New Johnsonville (Nathan Clinard 931-623-2021).