To sponsor or donate call:
Linda Sutherland 731-363-8862
Or Go to Paris Landing State Parks Web site.
Nov 21, 2025
Nov 15, 2025
WEATHER ROLLER COASTER FOR ANGLERS
Kentucky Lake 11/11/25
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene lately has been riding the weather roller coaster. Dramatic changes in weather conditions this past week has seen mild temps change to frigid fishing conditions for a few days only to rebound back to spring-like days for the approaching weekend. If you don’t like the weather just stick around for a day or two; it will change!
After bitter cold mornings and bone chilling northwest winds earlier this week a rapid rebound is underway. Temps are forecast to be in the upper 60’s to low 70’s for several days. Rain chances emerge early next week across the region. Lake levels are sleeping around the low winter pool level of 354.8, which is normal range for this time of year. Watercolor is clear. Surface temps are holding on to 57-to-58-degree range. TVA is discharging 37,000 cfs through Kentucky Dam this week.
Last week’s crappie, bass and catfish bite was pretty good a few days until the approaching cold front disrupted the nice autumn stability. Once the front blew in Sunday through Tuesday cold conditions dominated the fishing scene and curtailed activity for a few days. Temps fell to the mid-20’s at night in some areas. It was brutal out on the lake for a spell and most anglers tossed in the towel at least temporarily. A rapid rebound is underway. Anglers are easing back out on the lake and embracing normal fall weather conditions. Mild temps and light winds are back for a spell.
Some decent stringers of crappie have been taken in 13-to-15-foot depths. A few deeper at times as some fish pulled back during the cold conditions but have already started moving back up a bit. Decent stringers were reported back in the 7-to-12-foot depths with boaters having to make several stops to accumulate numbers in most cases. Live minnows have produced but so have assorted jig combos. Tipping with a minnow has improved the bite most days. Anglers continue to experiment with jig skirt colors and lead heads.
A few boats were reporting the catfish bite still underway as TVA had increased current to some degree. Most success stories came from boats working the riverbank in depths of 35 to 45 feet. The late fall catfish bite is often overlooked by anglers on Kentucky Lake.
Bass fishermen targeting gravel banks and rocky points with chrome and shad-colored crankbaits scored some pretty good stringers once the bad weather moved out. A few topwater stories emerged as have others tossing shallowing running crankbaits around visible structure such as exposed crappie beds, stumps, etc.... Others were casting spinnerbaits as well along with jerk baits around structure plus boathouses at times.
It appears decent weather has returned to the region for a few days although raingear may be part of the picture for fishermen beginning early next week.
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene lately has been riding the weather roller coaster. Dramatic changes in weather conditions this past week has seen mild temps change to frigid fishing conditions for a few days only to rebound back to spring-like days for the approaching weekend. If you don’t like the weather just stick around for a day or two; it will change!
After bitter cold mornings and bone chilling northwest winds earlier this week a rapid rebound is underway. Temps are forecast to be in the upper 60’s to low 70’s for several days. Rain chances emerge early next week across the region. Lake levels are sleeping around the low winter pool level of 354.8, which is normal range for this time of year. Watercolor is clear. Surface temps are holding on to 57-to-58-degree range. TVA is discharging 37,000 cfs through Kentucky Dam this week.
Last week’s crappie, bass and catfish bite was pretty good a few days until the approaching cold front disrupted the nice autumn stability. Once the front blew in Sunday through Tuesday cold conditions dominated the fishing scene and curtailed activity for a few days. Temps fell to the mid-20’s at night in some areas. It was brutal out on the lake for a spell and most anglers tossed in the towel at least temporarily. A rapid rebound is underway. Anglers are easing back out on the lake and embracing normal fall weather conditions. Mild temps and light winds are back for a spell.
Some decent stringers of crappie have been taken in 13-to-15-foot depths. A few deeper at times as some fish pulled back during the cold conditions but have already started moving back up a bit. Decent stringers were reported back in the 7-to-12-foot depths with boaters having to make several stops to accumulate numbers in most cases. Live minnows have produced but so have assorted jig combos. Tipping with a minnow has improved the bite most days. Anglers continue to experiment with jig skirt colors and lead heads.
A few boats were reporting the catfish bite still underway as TVA had increased current to some degree. Most success stories came from boats working the riverbank in depths of 35 to 45 feet. The late fall catfish bite is often overlooked by anglers on Kentucky Lake.
Bass fishermen targeting gravel banks and rocky points with chrome and shad-colored crankbaits scored some pretty good stringers once the bad weather moved out. A few topwater stories emerged as have others tossing shallowing running crankbaits around visible structure such as exposed crappie beds, stumps, etc.... Others were casting spinnerbaits as well along with jerk baits around structure plus boathouses at times.
It appears decent weather has returned to the region for a few days although raingear may be part of the picture for fishermen beginning early next week.
Nov 11, 2025
Nov 10, 2025
Monthly Meeting
The monthly meeting of the Paris Landing Tourism League (PLTL) will be held Tuesday, November 11th, at 6 pm at the Senior Center inside the Paris Landing Emergency Complex.
Hope to see you there!
Nov 9, 2025
Oct 30, 2025
Oct 24, 2025
The Fishing Report
Kentucky Lake 10/21/25
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
COLD WINDY DAYS GO AWAY!... BETTER WEATHER AHEAD
The pumpkin month has been a bit mean. Normally October is a month with a reputation for stability in terms of wind and temperatures but the last week to ten days have been challenging for the Kentucky Lake fishing scene. Nasty winds and falling temperatures greeted anglers and that’s had a negative impact on the overall bite for bass, crappie and catfish.
A better weather pattern is forecast for the weekend and well into next week. Anglers are ready to rebound. Fishermen had to dig deep in the closet for winter clothes as it has been brisk out there on the big pond. Temps fell to the 40-degree range for nighttime lows and struggled to reach the mid to upper 60’s a few days. The cold front and high skies diminished the bite this week. High pressure means mile high skies and that often has a negative impact on the overall bite.
Crappie and bass were reluctant to bite earlier this week as the front descended and appeared to be holding tight to structure with little desire to chase a bait even when it was presented right in their face. Downright sluggish and stubborn. Just not wanting to play fair for fishermen. Northwest winds and falling temperatures can do that sometimes, altering the mood of fish for a few days until stable weather returns with a southwesterly wind direction.
Presently, lake levels have been stable and holding around the low ebb of 354.8 range. That’s winter pool elevation neighborhood. Watercolor remains clear. Surface temperatures have fallen in the last few days, reflecting the influence of cold nights. Readings are now in the 67-degree range and may fall another degree or two by the weekend. Daytime highs are expected to moderate some and climb back to the 72-degree range early next week.
It’s a beautiful time to be on the lake as each week more color enters the picture along the rolling hills and shorelines of Kentucky Lake. Meanwhile, crappie are overdue to move up into shallow areas now that lower surface temps have arrived. Depths of 6 to 10 feet should start producing some fish. Most of the fish have been hanging out in the 10-to-14-foot range or even deeper where stake beds and brush piles on the edge of drop-offs have been the most productive.
Live minnows have worked well and outperformed jigs at times. However, white/chartreuse combos and other dull colored presentations have worked too. Finicky crappie have been sluggish to show aggressive behavior. Strikes have been very light. A few warm days and cloud cover could change that. It doesn’t take long for crappie to have a mood swing and it’s past time they got in gear!
Bass anglers have slugged it out by tossing some topwater jerk baits at times and have reported limited success on rock and gravel banks. Tossing swim baits and shad-colored variations of crankbaits have worked at times as have chrome/blue Rattle Trap style lure selections.
Not much to report from cat fishermen lately. The bite has been slow along the river channel as of late. Watch for improvement this weekend and throughout next week once normal fall weather resumes. The fish and the fishermen are ready to link up and get back to a good fall bite with nice weather complementing the autumn display.
It appears the mean windy days are now in the rearview mirror for a spell.
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
COLD WINDY DAYS GO AWAY!... BETTER WEATHER AHEAD
The pumpkin month has been a bit mean. Normally October is a month with a reputation for stability in terms of wind and temperatures but the last week to ten days have been challenging for the Kentucky Lake fishing scene. Nasty winds and falling temperatures greeted anglers and that’s had a negative impact on the overall bite for bass, crappie and catfish.
A better weather pattern is forecast for the weekend and well into next week. Anglers are ready to rebound. Fishermen had to dig deep in the closet for winter clothes as it has been brisk out there on the big pond. Temps fell to the 40-degree range for nighttime lows and struggled to reach the mid to upper 60’s a few days. The cold front and high skies diminished the bite this week. High pressure means mile high skies and that often has a negative impact on the overall bite.
Crappie and bass were reluctant to bite earlier this week as the front descended and appeared to be holding tight to structure with little desire to chase a bait even when it was presented right in their face. Downright sluggish and stubborn. Just not wanting to play fair for fishermen. Northwest winds and falling temperatures can do that sometimes, altering the mood of fish for a few days until stable weather returns with a southwesterly wind direction.
Presently, lake levels have been stable and holding around the low ebb of 354.8 range. That’s winter pool elevation neighborhood. Watercolor remains clear. Surface temperatures have fallen in the last few days, reflecting the influence of cold nights. Readings are now in the 67-degree range and may fall another degree or two by the weekend. Daytime highs are expected to moderate some and climb back to the 72-degree range early next week.
It’s a beautiful time to be on the lake as each week more color enters the picture along the rolling hills and shorelines of Kentucky Lake. Meanwhile, crappie are overdue to move up into shallow areas now that lower surface temps have arrived. Depths of 6 to 10 feet should start producing some fish. Most of the fish have been hanging out in the 10-to-14-foot range or even deeper where stake beds and brush piles on the edge of drop-offs have been the most productive.
Live minnows have worked well and outperformed jigs at times. However, white/chartreuse combos and other dull colored presentations have worked too. Finicky crappie have been sluggish to show aggressive behavior. Strikes have been very light. A few warm days and cloud cover could change that. It doesn’t take long for crappie to have a mood swing and it’s past time they got in gear!
Bass anglers have slugged it out by tossing some topwater jerk baits at times and have reported limited success on rock and gravel banks. Tossing swim baits and shad-colored variations of crankbaits have worked at times as have chrome/blue Rattle Trap style lure selections.
Not much to report from cat fishermen lately. The bite has been slow along the river channel as of late. Watch for improvement this weekend and throughout next week once normal fall weather resumes. The fish and the fishermen are ready to link up and get back to a good fall bite with nice weather complementing the autumn display.
It appears the mean windy days are now in the rearview mirror for a spell.
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