Lake levels are getting back to normal for this time of year, with levels on last Friday just under 356ft, with TVA predicting a drop into the 354ft levels by mid week. Flow rates continue to be in the “strong” category, with flows averaging between 100,000-130,000cfs. Water temperature continues to rise with the warm weather we’ve been experiencing, with average surface temps in the low to mid 50’s. With the weatherman predicting an above average temperature pattern this week, I do expect the water temperature to continue to increase. Both the Duck and Buffalo are heading back to normal, with the Duck at 5ft as of last Thursday, and predicted to continue to fall this week. The Cumberland River at Clarksville is around the 26-29ft level.
Fishermen have been continuing to catch some good limits of fish this past week, as water temps increase, it seems the fish bite has followed suit. Crappie continue to be found in the mid to deeper water, with most coming out of 12-20ft depths. It seems they are often on the move, so fishermen using their electronics to locate schools of fish around beds are the more successful fishermen. Bass fishermen continue to find some good numbers and size fish, I’ve seen some good catches of bass on social media posts, although I’m not sure of the patterns that have been producing these. Normally this is the time of year when bass start staging along points and drops, as well as rocky flats, looking for food, and with the water warming into the upper 50’s, bass should start eating more frequently. Most cat-fishermen associate cat fishing with warm weather, but often early spring is a great time to find trophy cats, by fishermen using cut baitfish, fished along river drops and in deep holes near creek mouths. The white bass migration (spawn) is near, and with the Duck River returning to normal levels, it shouldn't be long for the Duck River to see the white bass (stripe) heading into the river in numbers. As the river water warms into the upper 50’s, the male white bass will head into the river first, and school up and wait for the female to arrive in the upcoming weeks. Often the fish will first “set up” in deep water eddies, below shallow shoals. But once spawning starts, the fish will follow the females, nudging them to release their eggs over shallow shoals where the males rush in to fertilize the eggs. The eggs will fall to the bottom, hopefully where they will find a constant flow to keep the eggs well oxygenated. Spawning will occur when water temperatures reach between 60-68 degrees. The limits on stripe are 15/ day with no size limit. Trout fishermen are in luck this week, as TWRA has stocked area creeks, including; Hurricane Creek at Loretta Lynn's Mill, Tumbling Creek, and White Oak Creek in Houstin Co. Remember that to fish for or keep trout, fishermen must have an additional trout license (type 022) for ages 16-64. Sportsman licenses holders and senior citizen license holders, and children 15 and under are not required to have the trout license. Limit is 7 per day with no size limit.
Upcoming events; TWRA elk hunt application period open throuh February 28th, Montgomery Co. NWTF Banquet on March 1st at Wilma Rudolph Event Center begins at 5:30pm. (Three Rivers NWTF will be on April 6th), Perry Co Bass Club on March 3rd at Spring Creek boat ramp, USA Bassin Division 30 on March 3rd at Danville, Houston Co. Celtic Bass Tournament on March 9th out of Danville (contact Jessica Roberson at 931-289-9017), KingKat catfish event out of Benton Co. on March 8-9th. Tn Mad Catters on March 10th. At New Johnsonville, and the next Hunter Education class will be held on March 14 and 15th at the New Johnsonville “Safe House”; preregister at TnWildlife.org.
Riley Resnick with a bass caught near Mason’s Boat Dock
