Mark Your Calendar
Mar 18, 2026
Mar 14, 2026
Prespawn Phases Underway; March Has Anglers Off Balance
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
Report for March 12, 2026After a bout with above average temps earlier this month when a big dose of early spring weather descended on Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene fishermen are now juggling with unpredictable March weather.
Slightly cooler conditions have greeted fishermen at times compared to the parade of warm weather the first week to ten days of the month that spoiled anglers here into thinking spring was arriving early.
March is a month with many faces. Anglers can expect fluctuation in daytime highs, wind and a mixture of rain in any given week.
Some decent stringers of crappie are still coming in daily. Despite some inclement weather there’s still some success stories from anglers braving the elements.
Crappie are in their prespawn phase and already showing movement toward secondary bays and up on main lake flats. As they stair-step their route toward spawning areas and move up from deeper main lake ledges to warmer water fishermen are canvasing lots of different depths and zones in their pursuit.
Lake levels this week were hanging around the winter pool range of 355. However, there were some minor fluctuation in elevation this week. Earlier in the week it fell to 354.5 but began rising slowly at midweek. Water color is relatively clear across the reservoir. Some stain in the upper Big Sandy and West Sandy area is present. Water color is clear throughout the Paris Landing sector.
Surface temperatures had cooled slightly from last week when some areas recorded 58–degree water in shallow pockets for a day or two. That has changed some and will likely fall a few degrees in the days ahead as Monday night’s forecast says a cold night of only 20 degrees lies ahead.
Looks like a warm weekend is ahead but a cold snap will arrive by Monday/Tuesday. Daytime highs will only be below normal, struggling to reach the upper 30’s and low 40’s. Temps will begin to moderate at midweek. That March weather roller coaster will be rolling again!
With the cooler days will come chilly northwest winds by early next week, which bay curtail the bite for a short time. From midrange depths of 9 to 14 feet have come decent numbers of crappie taken by boats slow trolling jigs over open water using “long line” techniques. A wide variety of color combinations were credited. Both Roadrunner style jigs and curly tail grubs were producing.
Earlier this week some anglers found the deep bite going and discovered fish relating to structure in 16 to 20 foot depths at times. It’s that time of the year when several different depths and patterns may produce on Kentucky Lake at any given time.
Prespawn crappie often suspend as they stage in open water awaiting a warm up of surface temps into the upper 50’s and low 60’s that will trigger them to blitz toward shallow water.
A lot of movement was taking place last week courtesy of the warm spell. It’s not unusual for March cold fronts to sort of put the brakes on early spawning phases. That’s happening now to some degree as the biological clock of crappie and bass was about to get ahead of itself during that the recent spring fling.
Anglers fishing jigs and minnows in a vertical presentation around deeper brushpiles and stake beds in 10 to 16 feet were finding fish playing their game. They were having to move around a bit to accumulate limits but managed some impressive coolers full of slab crappie.
Prespawn crappie are known to put on the feed bag in preparation for the annual ritual. Their egg sacs are bulging so the fish are weighing heavy at times.
Several anglers are landing fish tipping the scales at 1 1/2 to two pounds. Some even larger!
The culprit now is the relentless wind. It giveth and it taketh away! Some days the gale force breeze dictate where boaters can go, eliminating a lot of productive areas.
Look for crappie to hang out away from spawning cover this week if surface temps fall back into the lower 50’s. The next warm spell should stimulate a lot of transition toward shallow areas once the water climbs into the upper 50’s and low 60’s if warm sunny days enter the picture.
Another week, depending on weather, should see male crappie start moving up and sporting hormonal changes to a darker color. Usually the last week to ten days of March delivers signs the fish are on the threshold of spawning as they take on a structure oriented mood and relate more to cover.
After the next week’s cold front passes watch for crappie to begin a blitz toward more shallow venues. Active spawning phases will kick in once the lake warms to 62 to 66 degree. Look for a lot of transition to take place these next two weeks.
Still producing for bass anglers have been Kentucky Lake’s endless gravel points and big chunk rock shorelines.
Tossing crankbaits is quite effective now. Anglers can cover a lot of water targeting rocky terrain back in the bays and pockets that warm up quicker.
From shallow roadbeds to rip-rap banks, bass are in prespawn. Suspending jerk baits plus deep and shallow runner cranks in crawfish, Tennessee shad and chartreuse variations are the ticket. Carolina and Alabama rigs work too as do a variety of Rattle Trap style presentations.
Those targeting smallmouth are tossing some swim baits out on main lake humps but it’s time for the bronzebacks to blitz too towards bays and creeks.
March madness will kick in quickly. For some it already has. Watch for activity to continue to change in the days and weeks ahead.
Wise are the anglers who adapt and change with the conditions.
Mar 8, 2026
Monthly Meeting
The monthly meeting of the Paris Landing Tourism League (PLTL) will be held Tuesday, March 10th, at 6 pm at the Senior Center inside the Paris Landing Emergency Complex.
Hope to see you there!
Cypress Bay Marina & Resort Season Opening 3/20
Cypress Bay Marina & Resort – Season Opens March 20th!We’re getting ready to kick off the 2026 season at Cypress Bay, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the lake!
Gas Dock & Lighthouse Store Hours (Starting March 20th – through April)Friday: 12 PM – 6 PM
Saturday: 8 AM – 6 PM
Sunday: 9 AM – 4 PM
Need a cottage for this summer?Our cottages are already starting to book. Reserve your stay here:
New for 2026: Rental boats will be available starting in early May — more details coming soon.
We will also have two 50 ft slips available in mid-April.PM us for details.
We’re excited for an amazing 2026 season at Cypress Bay.
See you at the Bay!
Feb 28, 2026
Let's Go Fishing!
Kentucky Lake 2/26/26
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)
Mild temperatures are returning to the Kentucky Lake fishing scene for this weekend and next week doesn’t look too bad either although some rain will enter the region by midweek according to the long-range forecast. Presently lake levels on Kentucky reservoir are falling slowly after a slight rise since last week. TVA is reporting the reservoir resting around an elevation of 355.1. Watercolor has been clear. Surface temp is around 45-degree range. TVA is discharging around 58,000 cfs (cubic feet per second) through Kentucky Dam so there is a little current in the main river channel area.
Crappie anglers are catching a few good stringers on both minnows and jigs as they stalk brush piles and stake beds in 9-11-foot zones. However, some fishermen are backing out to deeper water and finding a few fish in the 12-to-18-foot depth range on main lake drop-offs. This time of the year anglers have to watch the wind as it often dictates where they can go out on the main lake areas. Strong winds and white caps are not a friend of fishermen.
A few bass fishermen have been out stalking the gravel banks and rocky points. Most are tossing crankbaits in crawfish and shad-colored variations. Others are casting swim baits and Alabama rigs with pearl or sparkle grubs.
Meanwhile, the weather looks favorable for the approaching weekend with mild conditions in the long-range forecast next week although several rainy days could enter the picture. March is a month with a little bit of winter left and a little bit of spring entering the picture. Anglers best be prepared by taking the overalls and rain gear on any outing this time of year!
Feb 23, 2026
Kiwanis Arts & Crafts Festival Date Set
From:
Paris Landing Arts and Crafts Festival by Paris Lakeway Kiwanis
The 2026 Paris Landing Arts and Crafts Festival occurs on 12 and 13 September. This is our 26th year hosting this event at Paris Landing State Park. For 2025, we had 116 Vendors offering a wide variety of hand-crafted items. We will likely have a similar number for 2026. There will be a limited number of available spaces for Vendors new to our event.
Most of our Returning Vendors will be offered a space. We will accept Applications from "New" Vendors starting immediately; however, they will not be processed until after 1 June. DM me and I can send the Application.
PLEASE... Do not post a comment with your contact information. Scammers will hijack your information and pressure you to pay for a "non-existent" booth. DM me your contact information.
Paris Landing Arts and Crafts Festival by Paris Lakeway Kiwanis
The 2026 Paris Landing Arts and Crafts Festival occurs on 12 and 13 September. This is our 26th year hosting this event at Paris Landing State Park. For 2025, we had 116 Vendors offering a wide variety of hand-crafted items. We will likely have a similar number for 2026. There will be a limited number of available spaces for Vendors new to our event.
Most of our Returning Vendors will be offered a space. We will accept Applications from "New" Vendors starting immediately; however, they will not be processed until after 1 June. DM me and I can send the Application.
PLEASE... Do not post a comment with your contact information. Scammers will hijack your information and pressure you to pay for a "non-existent" booth. DM me your contact information.
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