Kentucky lake did see a rise this past week, with levels last Friday at 355.5ft. TVA is predicting the lake to remain stable this upcoming week, with averages just above 355ft. Flow rates remain between 75-95,000cfs on most days. The water surface temperatures have been on the increase, with temps in the upper 50’s in most areas. The pH level is at 7.56 and DO level at 11.63mg/L. The Duck river saw a sharp rise mid week, cresting on Friday at 8ft. The weatherman did predict some additional rain over the weekend, so we may see water levels change from what's predicted. The Cumberland river at Clarksville was at 30.7ft on Friday, and 55.5ft at Dover.
The fishing report continues to get better. Both numbers and size seem to be doing well this year. Some crappie have started their annual migration towards spawning areas, as many will start spawning when water temps reach the low to mid 60’s. This usually takes place around mid to late April, but we seem to be ahead of the game with spring this year. I do believe that the strong current we’ve had over the last few weeks has also encouraged many fish to seek out calmer waters, bringing many into the bays earlier than normal. Most fish have been found in water around 12ft deep, often moving a lot depending on where the bait is. Both minnows and jigs have been working, although most fish are taken near the bottom with a slow presentation. Some crappie have been found around boat docks and shallow areas with cover, but mostly smaller fish. The bass bite has also improved, as the bass are also making a move to shallower waters, stopping along the way for food. Tossing baits into shallow cover, like logs, brush-piles, stake-beds, etc. have been producing good numbers of bass. Some bass are still out deeper on humps and ledges where bait is present, and throwing jigs and Texas rigged worms have been enticing bites where bass are located on sonar. We had a Catfish event out of Camden this past weekend, the KatKing tournament was held on Kentucky lake, and will be televised on an upcoming show on pursuit channel (channel 393 on Dish). The catfish bite is improving, as spring gets nearer, catfish will start moving upstream, and day to day, fishing can improve, or get worse for each area. Smaller cats often will school up, and many can be caught in one area once located, where the larger catfish (20 + pounders) will often be solitary in nature, so targeting prime areas with cover in deep water can produce big catches. With the first trout stocking this past week, (stockings are the last week of the months of Feb, March, and April) we have seen a good number of trout being harvested in Hurricane and Tumbling creeks. The trout seem to be a little bigger this year, and catch rates have been good. Small spinners, jigs have been producing, but also corn, worms and powerbait have also been working. Many fishermen are anxious to fish the Duck river bottoms on the TnNational wildlife refuge, and it will reopen to all access on March 16th. (the refuge is always closed from Nov. 15th -March 15th )
Upcoming events; The Celtic Bass Tournament has been moved from March 9th, to March 23rd. Due to weather. The TWRA will host the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) on March 13-15th in Murfreesboro. Hunter Education Classroom event on March 14-15th at NewJohnsonville safe house (pre-register at TnWildlife.org). Save a Critter litter pick up event on the TnNational Duck river refuge 9am-12pm on Saturday March 16th. (meet at 550 refuge lane in NewJohnsonville. 731-642-2091). Perry County Bass Club event on March 17th out of Pickwick lake. USA Bassin event on March 17th out of Danville. Cumberland River Catmans Association on March 23rd at Cumberland City. Hickman County Bass Club on March 30th on Pickwick at the Yellow creed ramp. Also if anyone needs to take the classroom Boater Ed class, one will be on April 20th at Buffalo Ridge Refuge, pre-register at Tnwildlife.org.
We are still over a month away from the opening of the spring turkey season, which will open with the juvenile hunt on April 6-7th, and the regular turkey hunt starting on April 13th. But if getting into the woods is calling you, no worries, the Morel mushroom season is upon us! Mushroom hunting is both a fun and tasty spring activity. The Morel mushroom appears each spring as soil temperatures reach the 50 degree mark, and disappear when soil temps reach above the mid 60’s. The Morel is a type of fungus, looking similar to a “Christmas tree” shape. I haven't seen any yet, but it is getting close to time.