Frozen Bank to Bank

 

Kentuck Lake 1/31/26.  Frozen bank to bank.  Photo by John Peddy.

NASTY WEATHER KEEPS ANGLERS AT BAY

Photo by John Peddy

Kentucky Lake - 1-22-26
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)

Everyone outdoors (and indoors too) has been talking about the weather. Frigid temps, ice, sleet, snow and downright cold conditions have kept Kentucky Lake anglers at bay. Maybe one day out of the week, when winds temporarily diminished and temps slipped up to the upper 40’s, a few fishermen have ventured out. However, most everyone knows it has been nasty out there and not worth going out on the lake in this crazy weather.

Hardly any boats have been launching at public ramps across the area, but rest assured there are always a few testing the water and battling the elements regardless of what Mother Nature throws our way. Some shallow bays had ice forming a few days while others were just downright cold as bone chilling northwest winds whipped up whitecaps. Just not worth risking your life and equipment to go out there in these conditions.

Lake levels remain low and are still hanging around the 354.7 range. The reservoir has danced around that elevation---give or take a few inches---for the last several weeks. Watercolor remains clear. Surface temperatures are in the mid-30’s but ice has formed in the upper ends of shallow bays this week. It appears cold weather will hang around as the long-range forecast indicates below average temps will last another week or so as this report was formulated.

A few anglers had found crappie in deeper brush piles and stake beds prior to the arrival of the drastic cold spell. Odds are the fish have moved out a bit and will ride out the cold surface temps in deeper depths as that’s where the shad will go.

Usually, the baitfish merge to deeper water during extreme cold spells. Threadfin shad, which make up the bulk of the forage base, are vulnerable to quick temperatures changes and will go into shock. It’s not unusual to see a massive shad kill in the aftermath of severe cold weather. That usually has a negative impact on the bass and crappie bite for a week or so. The fish suddenly have a massive free buffet out across the lake. Makes for pretty tough competition.

We’ll see what happens. Meanwhile, best to put another log on the fire and ride it out in comfort somewhere. Mild weather and better fishing conditions will return soon.

COLD TEMPS PUT BRAKES ON FISHING SCENE

Kentucky Lake 1/15/26
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)

Falling temperatures and nasty north winds have put the brakes on the winter fishing scene on Kentucky Lake. It’s a sharp contrast to the previous week when above average temperatures had fishermen out in force enjoying unusually mild weather and light winds. Conditions have kept anglers close to the fire for the last few days and the cold is expected to linger for quite a spell. Temps may moderate by last next week, but the long-range forecast indicates a chance of frozen mix down the road. Most anglers are riding it out inside and waiting for better days. January weather has a reputation for drastic changes on short notice.

Meanwhile, lake levels are still hanging out in the low elevation range of 354.9. That’s the winter pool range. Also, the release rates are low through Kentucky Dam as low rainfall continues to deliver diminished runoff. Discharge rates were around 27,000 cubic feet per second last week and increased slightly due to heavy rains that descended across middle Tennessee but dodged west Tennessee.

Watercolor remains clear. Surface temps have dropped due to the very cold nights and are now around the mid to upper 30’s in most areas. By next week anglers can expect minor moderation in temps.

Crappie anglers had been scoring some pretty good stringers prior to the cold fronts. Bass fishermen were catching a few smallmouth and largemouth too.

The bite will resume soon once the weather stabilizes and returns to more tolerable ranges.

Check Out KOA Weekend Events 2026

 Check out 2026 #ParisKOA Campground events - book early for all year....all dates are open now! https://koa.com/campgrounds/paris-landing/

— at Paris Landing / Kentucky Lake KOA Holiday.

Monthly Meeting

 The monthly meeting of the Paris Landing Tourism League (PLTL) will be held Tuesday, January 13th, at 6 pm at the Senior Center inside the Paris Landing Emergency Complex.

Hope to see you there!

Over The River Run