Lake levels did see a rise with the rainfall last week, lake levels on last Friday were at 356.8ft, and TVA is predicting the lake to see almost 358ft by the time you read this! Average flows have been all over the place, with flow between 30,000-100,000cfs, but the current should drop off by this week. Water surface temperatures have now climbed into the 60’s, which is really good news for fisherman. When we see both the water temps and lake level climb, fishing should get really good! The pH on Kentucky Lake is at 7.90, and the DO level is at 12.04mg/L. The Duck River crested on last Thursday, with a top level of 9.5ft, but is now at 2.2ft. The Cumberland River at Clarksville is at 26.9ft and 56.6ft at Dover.
In the spring, when both water levels and water temperatures climb, it’s a signal for many fish to head to their spawning grounds. Both Crappie and Bass have been taken in shallow, protected areas where the water is warmer than the lake temperatures. Crappie will begin their spawning activity once water temperatures reach and remain above 62 degrees. The key is that the water has to “remain” above this temperature, not just reach it in the afternoon and cool back down at night. Often I’ve found that warm days with a few warm nights can be the key! Most crappie fisherman use this time of year to target “visible” cover, like stake beds, stumps, blow downs, etc. Crappie fisherman should also look in deeper areas as well, as not all of the fish will spawn at the same time, and often the larger females will be slightly deeper, as the males will come into the spawning areas first, staking out prime areas, waiting for the females to come in later. Nothing will beat minnows fished with a float this time of year, but using a jig, fished under a “peg float” is another good way to find fish when they go shallow. The bass bite has been really good when fisherman don’t have to fight the wind. The excessive wind has been an issue this year, more so than in the last few years, but hopefully we will see a reprieve from the wind this week. The baits of choice for bass seem to be as varied as the wind, as both slow moving baits like Texas rigged worms and creature baits have been working, as well as crankbaits and jerk baits. Some really good sized fish have been taken this week, both crappie and bass, and we hope to have a successful spawn again this year. Trout fisherman should also find some newly stocked trout in the usual stocking areas, as TWRA has completed the 2nd of 3 annual stockings this past week. Also fishermen, remember to check the dates on your fishing licenses, as the license year is for 1 year from date of purchase. Fishermen looking for the paper version of the new fishing guide won’t find one until late summer, as TWRA is going to combine the fishing guide with the Hunting/trapping guide. To view the fishing guide, it will be available online at TnWildlife.org, or can be viewed on the TWRA’s “on the go app”.
Turkey season is a week away for the kids, as the juvenile hunt is on April 6-7th. With the regular season starting on April 13th. Limits are the same as last year, with one bearded turkey/day and two for the season, but only one can be a jake. There was a commission meeting last week, where they discussed some hunting season proposals across the state. Some of the proposals were to have six deer units across the state, and no change to the two buck limit. I don’t think anything would change in our area, just some CWD areas in the western part of the state. There was a discussion on the Buffalo Ridge Shooting Range in the lower part of Humphreys Co. There will also be educational facility also, the project should begin on August 1st this year, and is funded with federal funds. No changes were proposed for the migratory game bird seasons or bag limits. A proposal to increase the bag limit for turkey next season to three bearded turkeys per year was made. The comment period is open through April 10th.
Upcoming events for April; Tennessee Mad Catters on April 7th at Guices Creek boat ramp 7am-3pm. Perry Co. Bass Club on April 7th at Spring Creek, USA BASSIN Danville Division on April 7th at Danville 5:15am-3pm (Zachary Cobb 931-801-8520), USA BASSIN New Johnsonville division on April 13th at New Johnsonville boat ramp 7am-3pm (Jamie McCloud 209-7795), Solar Eclipse Event at the Tn National Wildlife Refuge Visitor's Center in Springville, Tn. on April 8th at 12:30-3pm (731-642-2091), ABA Division 40 on April 13th at Birdsong Resort (Eddie Scott 622-5273), Hickman County Bass Club on April 27th at New Johnsonville 5:30-3pm (Nathan Clinard 931-623-2021), Clarksville Bass Club on April 20th at Guntersville Lake, Cast-N-Blast on April 20th at Paris Landing (731-642-8455 or 901-493-4065), Veterans Crappie Tournament at Paris Landing State Park on April 27th, Cumberland River Catman’s Association on April 27th at Rockland Ramp on Old Hickory Lake. Boater education class on April 20th at Buffalo Ridge Refuge from 1-5pm. Pre-register at TnWildlife.org on the events page. Also the Tennessee River Rendezvous on April 12-13 8am-5pm at Saltillo, HWY 69, 215 Ashley Rd. Daltillo, Tn. 38370 (free for everyone, civil war, Native American, mountain man, WWW 1, 2 reenactments etc.)
Eddie Scott helping Graidon Hensley hold his winning limit of bass caught on the ABA division 40 event out of Birdsong Resort.