WINTER CRAPPIE MAKE REBOUND

 

Kentucky Lake 12-12-24

Report Contributor - Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)

After last week’s frigid fishing scene across Kentucky Lake that diminished activity for most anglers unwilling to participate in the endurance test, things showed improvement for crappie fishermen. A few nice stringers were taken this week by anglers targeting the 9-to-14-foot depth ranges. Successful anglers sort of cherry picked their days, avoiding the nasty winds when they could. That aided their quest to work main lake areas or pursue open water spots within big bays that gave up some decent stringers.

Fish are holding tight to structure in the midrange depths with a few anglers stalking even deeper water and finding a few holding in brush piles around the 18-to-22-foot depth range. Not unusual to find a few crappies falling back deeper when cold weather is in the picture like it was last week.

It appears temps will moderate by this weekend and even rebound to the upper 50’s and low 60’s by early next week before another cool snap enters the picture by midweek. Rainy days are about to descend as the weather warms. The weather roller coaster seems to be alive and well as late fall fades to winter. Winter officially arrives on December 21.

Lake levels have stayed relative stable lately and hovering around the 354.7 elevation across the reservoir. That’s up a few inches from a week ago but still in the normal range for winter pool levels across the lake. Watercolor remain clear. Surface temps were in the upper 30’s and low 40’s last week but have slowly moderated.

A few bass anglers have been out targeting smallmouth and stalking deep holes where fish are hiding from the current whenever it’s flowing. The recent Bassmaster tournament opened some eyes as to late fall bass fishing. It revealed the bronze backs can be caught even in inclement conditions if you know how to locate them and implement the proper techniques.

Kentucky Lake has pretty much had a good smallmouth fishery for many years, but anglers have become better educated at finding and catching them in recent years. No doubt the advancement of technology with Livescope and Live Image type sonar equipment has enhanced anglers’ knowledge of the illusive deep-water hideouts of smallmouth here.

Santa's Night of Lights Starts Friday

 Starts this Friday.  Come on out to the Lake!

WINTER WEATHER CALLING THE SHOTS FOR FISHING

Kentucky Lake 12-4-24

Report Contributor - Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)

Bad weather has been the story this week across the Kentucky Lake region as another brutal cold front descended. On Monday the fishing scene saw a gusty beginning of a week full of cold fronts that kicked off with a snowy day reminiscent of a mid-winter weather pattern. Although winter doesn’t officially arrive until December 21 to anglers across the region it feels like it arrived early. Below average temperatures escorted by bone chilling northwest winds have been anything but welcomed by late fall fishermen here.

A stop at Paris Landing State Park by Bass Anglers Sportsmen’s Society (B.A.S.S.) dropped anchor here this week on a rare late season bass tournament but day two of the event on Thursday was postponed due to a nasty weather forecast. Some 250 teams pushed the competition back a day as they hope to complete the fishing here on Saturday, where temperatures are expected to be slightly better, but conditions have been quite challenging all week. Daytime highs on Thursday were forecast to be only 29 degrees; Friday’s high was expected to reach only 35 degrees. Saturday’s high could rebound to a balmy 46 degrees!

Meanwhile, an unforgiving Kentucky Lake was sleeping at a low level of 354.2 range. That’s the low ebb of winter pool elevation and a scenario that can be quite challenging to any anglers, especially those not familiar with the reservoir’s shallow sandbars. Surface temps have dropped to the low 40’s the last few days. Watercolor is clear.

A few bass fishermen were targeting smallmouth spots wherever they could dodge the wind. Crappie anglers managed to catch a few fish the last week or so whenever winds allowed them to move about. Depths of 14 to 14 feet have given up a few fish on main lake ledges whenever anglers found deep brush piles and stake beds.

When the weather gets this bad about the only beneficiaries are duck hunters, deer hunters assuming they’re in a nice, heated stand or a few rabbit hunters following the baying beagles.

Only big dollars in a bass tournament and the chance for the winner to advance to the Bassmaster Classic will pull them away from the fire and comfort zone somewhere indoors and away from the nasty elements of a big cold windy lake.

By early next week temperatures will moderate slightly but rainy days are expected to enter the picture on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

 

WEATHER ROLLER COASTER RETURNS

Kentucky Lake - 11-21-24

Report Contributor - Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)

Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene will receive a visit from the weather roller coaster in the days and week ahead. A windy cold front is in progress, sending temps down into the low 30’s at night with daytime highs projected to only make the upper 40’s for a few days. While that will curtail what has been a pretty good week for both crappie and catfishing it appears anglers will get a rebound by early next week as the weatherman says a couple days will bounce back to the low 60’s to kick off the week. However, the short warm spell will pave the way for another cold front that’s expected to arrive just before Thanksgiving.

Lows late next week will dip below freezing a few nights accompanied by some rain. The weather roller coaster is indeed underway. Lake levels are in the 354.8 range this week with slight fluctuation underway. Watercolor remains clear. Surface temps have dropped into the upper 50’s courtesy of the cold fronts and chilly nights. Earlier this week daytime highs reached 73 degrees as an extended spell of above average temperatures lingered past mid-November but that has changed quickly.

Some nice stringers of crappie were taken recently as fishermen enjoyed light winds and mild temps which allowed them to move about in the open water areas. Depths of 9 to 12 feet were giving up decent numbers of good size fish. The bite was good and improved over the previous week.

No doubt the approaching cold front and northwest winds will change the picture for a few days and likely diminish the bite. Watch for a quick rebound Sunday and Monday when nice weather returns but the honeymoon will be short. Drastic temperature changes and high winds will enter the picture a few days before Thanksgiving. Several days of below average temps are in the forecast.

Catfishing was good the last week or so as increased current stimulated the bite. Nice size fish were taken in the 30-to-35-foot depth range. Once the current increased late last week so did the bite. For the last several weeks lack of rain and mild weather had not favored the catfish bite, but anglers know that can change quickly once heavy rains enter the picture and flows in the Tennessee River channel increase.

It looks like unruly weather will dominate the Kentucky Lake fishing scene for a few days but once December rolls around watch for some mild conditions to return in the aftermath of these recent cold fronts.

 

Plan Now For Santa's Night of Lights

 

LATE FALL SCENE HAS VARIEITY OF WEATHER

 

Kentucky Lake - 11-14-24

Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)

Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene as of late has seen quite a mixture weather patterns ranging from heavy rains at times to windy days and some fluctuation in temperatures. Lake levels this week have stayed around the 354.8 range after dropping down very low a week or so ago. Recent rains have replaced drought conditions that plagued the region throughout the late summer and fall. Watch for lake levels to rise some in the next few days as heavy rains have fallen recently across the area but no drastic changes are expected. Watercolor remains clear.

Surface temperatures and cooled some since last week and are now down to the 62-to-64-degree range. The long-range forecast indicates mild temps will hang around until Thursday (Nov 28th) of next week when rain will return, and daytime highs will fall to only 42 degrees and dip to 34 degrees at night. Until then anglers should have pretty mild fishing conditions.

Crappie have been taken in some midrange manmade fish attractors this past week around the 9-to-14-foot depth range. However, several fish are still lingering out on main lake cover in the 14-to-18-foot depth range as well. Both jigs and minnows have been producing. Popular colors have ranged from Bobby Garland’s mayfly, monkey’s milk, blue/chartreuse, and purple/chartreuse just name a few. Tipping jigs with either a minnow or Berkley Power Bait crappie nibble has also enhanced the appeal to sluggish crappie. Some boats are vertical tightlining jigs and live minnow rigs while others are relying on the old bottom bumping double hook rig at times.

Bass fishing has been fair for some tossing shad-colored crankbaits around visible structure, but a few boats are backing off the bank and still targeting sloping secondary sandbars out on the main lake or within the mouth of large bays.

Some white bass are chasing shad at times and busting the surface and largemouth and some smallmouth are running with them. Tossing chrome/blue Rattle Trap style lures work great and allow anglers to cover a lot of water while making a series of long fan casting style presentations.

A few bass have been taken along gravel banks and riprap roadbeds as well. Shallow running Bandit and Shad Rap Rapala crankbaits have worked well. Some spinnerbaits have worked too around shallow stake beds, tree laps and logs along shorelines. Additional current has returned to the main Tennessee River channel lately in the aftermath of additional rainfall.

The late fall fishing scene can be productive for both bass and crappie anglers.

Monthly Meeting

The monthly meeting of the Paris Landing Tourism League (PLTL) will be held Tuesday, November 12th, at 6 pm at the Senior Center inside the Paris Landing Emergency Complex.

Hope to see you there!

COOLER DAYS COMING FOR FISHERMEN

Kentucky Lake - 11-7-24

Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)

After a long honeymoon with above average temperatures, it looks like a nip in the air is about to arrive. For the last several weeks Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene has seen hot and dry conditions dominate but recent rains have finally drenched a thirsty region. Rain the last week or so has fallen on some extremely dry woods and added a little fresh water to the lake area. Some of the rain had high winds at times that rocked the boat of anglers hoping to extend their parade with pretty days where light winds and above average temperatures greeted them.

Last week warm days lingered---at times daytime highs climbed to the 80-to-81-degree range---and almost broke record high temps for this time of year. Surface temperatures reflect the extended spell of high temps and readings the last week or so were in the 66-degree range, which is several degrees above normal for mid-November. Watch for a rapid drop by late next week once the cold front rolls in.

Lake levels have remained low throughout the fall due in part to a lack of rain. Readings last week at Kentucky Dam dropped to the low ebb of 354.2 a few days but have since risen slightly to the 354.8 range. If projected rains continue watch for a slight rise in elevation by the weekend. Watercolor remains clear across the reservoir. Discharge rates at Kentucky Dam have been around 23,000 cfs (cubic feet per second) so there’s a slow current present in the main Tennessee River channel.

Crappie fishing has been fair for a few anglers working deep manmade fish attractors such as stake beds and brush piles in the 11-to-15-foot depth range. A few fish have been taken even deeper in the Paris Landing sector as some anglers experimented in depths of 16 to 22 feet in their quest to locate scattered fish as TVA had been pulling the lake down to winter pool. Boaters stalking the shallow route of 4 to 8 feet areas have not fared well according to most reports. A few scattered crappie were taken by anglers casting jigs and vertical presentation techniques of both jigs and minnows. However, most indicated the fish were very scattered and the bite was sluggish for shallow zones.

That’s not all surprising as above average surface temperatures the last few weeks have likely had a negative impact on the shallow bite. In early to mid-November the normal surface temp range should be in the upper 50’s to low 60’s. Meanwhile, a few anglers using Live scope sonar have landed some nice stringers from midrange to deeper depths but they are having to make several stops. Most are tipping a jig with a minnow to entice bites.

Bass anglers are still slugging it out in the trenches and finding the bass stubborn to bite. Sluggish fish are still being caught by a few boats working the main lake sandbars. A few credited their catches to the use of Carolina and Alabama rigs retrieved slowly over shad schools on sandbars. Crankbaits and swim baits have worked too as have chrome colored variations of Rattle Trap style lure selections as covering a lot of water and fan casting has been the best technique.

Slow current is present out on the main Tennessee River channel lately. TVA had decreased discharge rates and not many boats were seen stalking catfish out on the riverbanks.

Kickoff To Christmas This Saturday

 

NEAR RECORD HIGHS LINGER FOR ANGLERS

 Kentucky Lake 10-30-24

By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)

Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene has been holding on to near high temperatures as November pushed the pumpkin month off the calendar. Most days have seen above average on daytime highs. Sooner or later cooler days will descend but even next week’s forecast has a mixture of warm days sandwiched between some possible light rain and daytime highs in the low to mid 60’s, which would be more normal for this time of year. The region is in need of some rain.

Lake levels this week have fallen to the lowest elevation this fall. Reading is down to the winter pool level of 354.6, which is a few inches lower than last week at this time. The watercolor remains clear across the reservoir. Surface temperatures have been in the 66-to-68-degree range but should fall slightly next week as cooler conditions enter the picture.

Meanwhile, boaters beware out there as more shallow sandbars and stumps are just barely below the surface so use caution and observe channel markers. The lake has been a beautiful place lately as fall colors have been at their peak. Still, plenty of time to get out there and partake of the parade of trees still showing nice red, orange, yellows and just a mixture from God’s paintbrush.

The overall fishing scene has been fair but had to endure a few windy days at times. Wind is normally not a big factor for fall fishing but lately the hot weather sort of stirred things up at times. Several nice days have been mixed in as well.

The crappie bite has been a bit sluggish for shallow zones of 4 to 6 feet. Warm surface temperatures have lingered later than usual and that has likely influenced the shallow bite somewhat. That can change quickly, however, cloudy days with light rain and cooler conditions descend. Most of the decent stringers have come from anglers fishing jigs and minnows in depths of 14 to 18 feet at times. Some reports of fishermen stalking midrange depths of 9 to 12 feet have managed to find some scattered keeper size fish, but they’ve had to make several stops in their quest.

Falling lake levels the last week or so can also influence the fish to fall back to deeper water for a short period of time. The fish have not been aggressive in the shallow zones this fall like they have in times past but again, that can change quickly as weather conditions change.

Bass fishermen are still staying out on the main lake for the most part and swinging away on ledges and open water sandbars in hopes of finding some schooling fish. Tossing crankbaits and swim baits have been the most popular choices with the reliable Rattle Trap style lures working well as anglers cover a lot of water.

Scattered sightings of white bass have been seen and anglers are catching a few while tossing white Rooster Tails and small spoons.

The catfish bite has diminished somewhat as current has subsided out on the main river channel. TVA had pushed back on discharge rates through Kentucky Dam this week as flows were only 25,000 cfs (cubic feet per second). There’s still some good fall fishing ahead as November has been known to produce some good crappie fishing.

 PLTL joined the Ridgetop Station Park this weekend and mingled with a couple hundred spectators to invite them to "Come To Play With Us."

Bassmaster Team Championship relocates to Tennessee’s Kentucky Lake

 Oct. 25, 2024

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship, which will grant the winner the year’s final berth into the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic, was originally scheduled to take place on Louisiana’s Ouachita River. However, due to critical, unforeseen repair work being conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Columbia Lock and Dam just south of Monroe, La., the Team Championship is relocating to Tennessee’s Kentucky Lake.

The emergency work has caused significant disruptions to normal river operations, impacting water levels and navigability which would directly affect both the safety and overall experience of the anglers. As a result, the decision was made to move the championship to an alternate location to ensure the event can proceed without compromising the quality of competition or the experience for participants.

In consideration of the local resources and the challenges created by the dam repairs, B.A.S.S. officials have selected Tennessee’s Kentucky Lake as the new venue for the final B.A.S.S. tournament of 2024. The 160,000-acre reservoir, located on the Tennessee River, has hosted numerous B.A.S.S. events over the years and most recently hosted the Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Kentucky Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops in April of this year. The event dates will remain the same beginning on Wednesday, Dec. 4 and concluding Saturday, Dec. 7. The off-limits period and the no-information rule will go into effect on Saturday, Nov. 16.

Registration will remain open to qualified teams until Friday, Nov. 15. Updated information will be relayed to all official Bassmaster Team Trails; please check with your trail director for updated information.

The Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship is being hosted by the Paris, TN-Henry County Tourism Authority.

What's Happening?

 

Blossomway Garden Club has been awarded a $1000 Grant from the Endowment Trust Fund of Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc., for a community beautification project on property owned by AMVET Post 45 on Hwy 79N.   Blossomway will be installing a raised bed garden on  a 50’x 22’ concrete pad in front of a building that previously housed a burger joint and is currently used by the AMVETS for storage.

So far, we have installed six 8’ x 4’ raised beds and are in the process of filling them with cardboard, compost, rotting logs, topsoil and mulch. These beds will be planted with evergreens and seasonal flowers and may include some holiday decor. We will also be planting ground covers like ajuga and creeping thyme in the cracks of the concrete; small flowering trees such as crepe myrtle and rose of Sharon around the edges; and bulbs for Spring blooms.  The windows on the front of the building will be decorated in a garden theme.

By August 2025 there will be a total of 9 raised beds.  Some will contain special gardens such as succulents, herbs, and hummingbirds, etc.  We will be using native plants where possible such as cone flowers and daises for color and visibility from the highway.

The garden will serve as a place for our club members to experience the joys and camaraderie of gardening.  A place where people in our community can meet, learn more about plants, have gatherings or just sit and have a peaceful moment.  We also hope it will inspire others in our community to plant more trees, shrubs, and flowers along the highway. 

You can help:

Donations: Monetary or gift cards to places like Lowes, Walmart, Homestead Garden and Gifts, Woffords for plants and supplies.  Mail to: Blossomway Garden Club Special Projects, 139 Winding Way, Paris, TN 38242

Join our club:  We meet the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 2:00 pm at Antioch Methodist Church at 3116 W Antioch Rd, Springville, TN 38256

Follow us on Facebook at: Blossomway Garden Club | Facebook You can follow without joining. 

Volunteer to help: Sometimes we just need some strong backs and stamina to move things around. 

Contact:  Lee Owenby by email at leeowenby39@gmail.com

Fall Market Day This Saturday

 

Lunch & Learn At the Heritage Center

 October 25

ANGLERS RIDING THE TEMP ROLLER COASTER

Kentucky Lake - 10-16-24

By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)

Never a bad time to be out on the lake but the next few weeks will put anglers in a front row seat to fall’s colorful parade. Colors are fast changing and should reach their peak as late October rolls and around and November sneaks in the door.

Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene has been riding the temperature roller coaster lately. After a dramatic cool spell that brought talk of the season’s first frost and had anglers donning overcoats and coveralls, it appears warm days will return by this weekend. Time to dig the short sleeve shirts back out as temps are forecast to be in the low to mid 70’s next by this weekend. Warmer than that next week.

Lake levels this week were up a few inches from last week with readings in the 355.8 range. At midweek the reservoir crested. Watercolor is clear in the Big Sandy and West Sandy sectors and sporting a good color around the Paris Landing sector with some stain out in the main Tennessee River channel area.

Surface temperatures have cooled a bit since the start of the week when cold nights and chilly days entered the fishing scene. Breezy northwest winds delivered a few whitecaps some days, but the water cooled down to the 69-to-71-degree range.

Tennessee Valley Authority had diminished discharge rates earlier in the week but has since increased them to 40,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) through Kentucky Dam at midweek. A feel of fall definitely filled the air this week when temps dipped below normal a few days.

Crappie fishing has been fair and should show some improvement for anglers seeking more activity in shallow areas. Not many nice stringers have been taken in the 4-to-8-foot depth range this fall as high surface temps likely had a negative impact on the shallow bite. Watch for that to improve quickly as more crappie should move up in the aftermath of the cool front. Those shallow stake beds and brush piles up on shallow main lake areas or in the backs of some bays that haven’t been producing should start paying off.

Most of the crappie lately have been taken deeper in 12 to 15 feet with some coming from 17 to 20 at times. That deeper bite has been more productive for anglers vertical fishing jigs and minnows. Some anglers prefer casting jigs in the deeper venues. They’ve had success with jig skirt colors such as Bobby Garland’s Monkey’s Milk, Mayfly, Threadfin shiner and purple/chartreuse just to name a few.

It’s always a good idea to keep an arsenal of colors in your tackle box and experiment from time to time. Live minnows have been producing too. Not a bad idea to keep that minnow bucket handy during fall outings and let me fish tell you what they prefer. It’s past time for the shallow bite to turn on. Casting a minnow or jig over shallow structure with a slip bobber is another technique that normally works well during the fall months.

Catfishing out on the main Tennessee River channel should be showing improvement as TVA has been pushing enough water lately to stimulate the bite. The rate of discharge should enhance the catfish to move about and feed on the roaming schools of shad.

Bass fishermen are still slugging it out on main lake ledges and some secondary flats where bass are chasing schools of shad. Tossing chrome/blue Rattle Traps and similar lure variations has produced as have swim baits, crankbaits in black/chartreuse, chrome, chartreuse/black and shad variations.

Watch for increased shad activity and surface feeding sprees now as both white bass and largemouth should start busting the surface on calm days. Those shallow sandbars can be productive.

PLTL At Work

Paris Landing Tourism League spent the past weekend honoring the 163rd anniversary of the Battle of Belmont.

We had on display a period laundry site household items hand tools, artifacts and nurses' station.

Handed out brochures and let guest know what Paris Landing and Henry Co. has to offer.

FALL FISHING SCENE/WEATHER STILL NICE TO ANGLERS

 Kentucky Lake - 10-9-24

By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)

Thanks to an extended spell of nice weather the fishing scene across Kentucky Lake has suited anglers just fine. Fall has been kind to fishermen the last week or two with a little ride on the weather roller coaster at times in terms of temperatures. Lake levels had been holding around the 355.5 lately at Kentucky Dam. Surface temperatures have been reluctant to let go of the 72-to-73-degree range but watch for that to fall as cooler nights will continue to pull that down toward the upper 60’s soon.

Watercolor has been good with a slight stain. Last week the current diminished to 33,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) for a few days, which is a good range for cat fishermen stalking the main channel area.

A few boats have been working the main channel banks and finding the catfish bite pretty good in the 35-to-45-foot depth range.

The fall crappie bite has been fair the last week or two for a few anglers. Some report the fish acting quite finicky on the bright days when high skies influenced a sluggish bite. A few fish were still lingering in deep water on main lake ledges in the 17-to-20-foot depth range. However, anglers targeting the deep main lake areas indicate several small fish were taken but big numbers of keeper size fish were challenging.

Some anglers credited their catches to 9-to-14-foot depths where scattered crappie were taken in the midrange stake beds and brush piles. A few credited their success to minnows; others opted for jigs. Popular colors have been Monkey’s Milk, Mayfly and some unpainted lead heads with dull colored skirts. Tipping jigs with Berkley Power Bait has enticed a few fish to bite. Sharing the midrange structures have been loads of yellow bass and even a few aggressive bluegill.

Bass anglers have been chasing their prey on some main lake ledges at times. Tossing swim baits has been producing bass that are running schools of roaming shad. The shallow bite has not turned on for most bass fishermen this fall. Most of the fish have opted to stay on secondary sandbars and some main lake ledges.

Surface temperatures have been slow to cool the last two weeks. The cool snap earlier this week likely influenced the water to cross the upper 60’s temperature threshold. So far, the fall bite has made most anglers work pretty hard to earn bites. That can change quickly so hang in there.

Northern Lights At Paris Landing

 Great photos of the Northern Lights over Paris Landing Marina last night.  A special thanks to Yong Medluck Huffstetler for the photos.  See more on our Facebook page at:  https://www.facebook.com/share/p/XehkZJHBTWwYwURi/

Monthly Meeting

The monthly meeting of the Paris Landing Tourism League (PLTL) will be held Tuesday, October 8th, at 6 pm at the Senior Center inside the Paris Landing Emergency Complex.

Hope to see you there!

NICE WEATHER/GOOD FISHING LIFTS SPIRITS OF ANGLERS

 Kentucky Lake - 10-2-24

By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)

Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene has been the beneficiary of some great weather this week. That scenario has been long overdue. Some cooler days gave way to warmer weather as the weekend arrived but not to worry; cooler fall weather is expected to return early next week. Jacket mornings and shirt sleeve afternoons are now in play for fishermen.

Tennessee Valley Authority has done a great job pushing water through Kentucky Dam the last week or so as they began increasing discharge rates over a week ago in anticipation of the wrath of Hurricane Helene. Lake levels are in good shape as discharge rates have kept the reservoir’s elevation at around 355, which is pretty much normal for this time of year. Currently TVA is pushing around 75,000 cfs (cubic feet per second) through Kentucky Dam.

Fortunately, TVA has been able to release a large volume of water for more than a week now as the Mississippi River has been low and able to absorb high discharge rates from both the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. Surface temperatures have been in the 73-to-75-degree range as warm weather lingered last week and earlier this week. Anglers can expect a drop in surface temps as the weekend approaches as cool nights this week were forecast to dip to the upper 50’s and low 60’s.

Next week’s cool spell will further influence the fall to lower surface temps. Fishermen should see surface temps in the upper 60’s next week. Watercolor is clear in the Big Sandy area, but some stain exists along the main Tennessee River channel. Overall, the lake is in good shape.

Decent stringers of crappie have been taken lately, although a few days of north winds that brought the cool snap to our door, caused whitecaps in the open water areas at times. Depths of 16 to 20 feet were giving up crappie the last few days. That’s likely the result of warmer surface temperatures lingering into the start of October. A few crappie were caught in 7-to-12-foot depths by anglers stalking manmade fish attractors such as brush piles and stake beds. Fish were finicky and scattered in the shallow to midrange depths, so it required a lot of stops to accumulate decent numbers of keeper size fish.

When fishing the deeper holes, a lot of credit has gone to the use of live minnows fished on tightline techniques. Some are just tightlining minnows while other are using jigs and tipping them with a shiner minor. Sometimes that live minnow seems to enhance the bite. Other times switching colors and experimenting sizes of jig heads—from 1/32-ounce to 1/16-ounce---has worked best.

Anglers should see an increase in the shallow bite by next week since surface temps will be cooler down to their normal early October range. Shad will increase in numbers swimming around the shallow flats and backs of bays which will lure the fish to their shallow locales. The overall attitude of shallow to midrange crappie should improve in the days ahead. Some cloudy days will also help the bite from light sensitive fish.

Bass fishing has been fair with most tossing shad-colored variations of Rattle Traps, shallow running crankbaits and swimbaits. A few have attempted tossing a spinnerbait and shallow running crankbaits around shallow stickups. Some surface activity has been seen out on the main lake from white bass and a few largemouth busting into schools of shad meandering out over shallow sandbars at times.

Catfishing has taken a backseat, at least to a degree, out on the main Tennessee River channel due to the increased current. And catfish are beginning to move up a bit to midrange depths as crappie anglers are tying into one on a regular basis when fishing the 9-to-12-foot depth zones.

It looks like fall conditions have finally arrived and it’s nice to be on the lake these days. Some warm days will return now and then but overall nice, pleasant weather will hang around for the next several weeks. Don’t miss out on this autumn angling!

 

Let's Get Kooky Spooky

 

FISHING SCENE WATCHES WEATHER FROM HURRICANE HELENE…COOLER DAYS NEXT WEEK

Kentucky Lake 9-26-24

By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)

Fishermen have an eye in the sky across the Kentucky Lake region as the weekend approaches. The backside of Hurricane Helene is expected to come inland and head up the Tennessee Valley as the weekend approaches, threatening rainy days through Sunday. Anglers will be watching out for not only heavy rains, but wind associated with the storm which will be rated a Tropical Depression by the time it reaches our area. Lots of rain is expected to dump several inches on what an extremely dry late summer and early fall has been.

Just how much rain remains to be seen as forecasters are changing predictions by the hour. No doubt inclement weather will disrupt the fishing scene for a few days but in the aftermath, it appears fall weather is on the horizon. By Monday cooler days will begin to arrive, and next week’s forecast looks good with cool days and chilly nights. Finally, a nice fall forecast is on the way.

Presently Kentucky Lake’s elevation is around the 355.5 range as TVA pushed a lot of water through Kentucky Dam the last few days in anticipation of the forthcoming wet weather. The storm surge is expected to dump a lot of water before it starts departing Sunday. Lake levels will likely rise a few inches in the days ahead, but no severe flooding is expected in our region at this time.

Surface temperatures have reflected the week of hot weather. Readings have been in the 75-to-78-degree range. Watch for surface temps for fall beginning early next week once cool weather enters the picture. Watercolor has been clear. Increased current in the main Tennessee River channel the last few days has improved the catfish bite. Flows had increased to 45,000 cfs (cubic feet per second). That could increase throughout the weekend.

Some nice stringers of catfish have been taken from the 30 to 40-foot depth range. If lake levels rise a bit these next few days watch for catfish to move up to as they follow the rising water.

Crappie fishermen have been tying into a catfish now and then as they work midrange depths of 14 to 17 feet. Some crappie are lingering around the 9-to-13-foot depth range and more will move up by next week when rising lake levels and cooler temperatures coincide. When lake levels were falling earlier this week it pulled some crappie back out to slightly deeper water. Plus, the hot weather and rising surface temperatures were factors as well. That’s about to change.

Anglers should see a blitz by schools of shad and crappie this next week. The fall-like weather should stimulate activity and enhance the overall bite. Anglers have been catching a lot of small crappie in-between the keepers while stalking the deeper structures out on the main lake areas. Mixed in with the crappie have been a catfish or two and some bluegill that are also taking up residence in manmade fish attractors.

Looks like a few days of nasty weather will be followed by a few days of stability.

Bass fishermen have been finding the bite sluggish lately. The shallow bite backed off during the hot spell but hopefully that will return next week as more shad schools move shallow and start relating to sloping gravel banks and structure.

It’s time for an aggressive fall bite to kick in. Best keep the raingear handy these next few days. Be observant and cautious as inclement weather is in the cards as the unstable weather pattern passes through.

Fishing Report

 Kentucky Lake 9-18-24

By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)

HOT WEATHER HANGS ON AS FALL OFFICIALLY BEGINS

Fishermen around the Kentucky Lake area dodged a bullet last week as the forecasted flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Francine never materialized for us. Some much needed rain did fall but the region is back to wanting another drink along with it cooler temps. Fall officially arrives Sunday on the calendar. Right now, it’s being a bit stubborn as to its arrival. Doesn’t look like that’s going to happen until late next week according to the long-range forecast.

September is living up to its reputation as a month with both summer and fall mixed in. Right now, warm weather has descended as daytime highs are forecast to be in the upper 80’s for the next week or so. Lake levels have dropped to the low elevation of 355.5 this week at Kentucky Dam. That’s down a few inches from last week and the reading means caution should be used by anglers and pleasure boaters. All lakers should observe channel markers this time of year and resist the urge to take shortcuts out over open water. You can sure damage a boat hull or lower unit of an outboard this time of year.

Surface temps are down to the 76 degrees range this week. Watercolor has cleared.

Catfishing has been decent whenever TVA is pulling water. Some mornings are starting out stagnant, but the current has picked up at midday and that enhances the lethargic catfish to get up and get going. Decent stringers have been taken lately as anglers target schools of shad in the 35-to-45-foot depth ranges. Some catches have been reported in the 25-foot depth range. Baits of choice continue to be nightcrawlers, cut bait, chicken liver and several commercial ones from local bait and tackle shops.

Crappie have been fair as decent numbers have been taken on cloudy days in 8-to-12-foot depths. Some fish have moved up but on bright sunny days the bite slows down in shallow areas. No doubt the crappie are sensitive to the bright sunny calm or stagnant days. The bite has been best in the early morning and late afternoon hours for most in shallow zones while some anglers fishing depths of 16 to 20 feet have done okay. Not unusual to see fish back off to deeper main lake spots when hot sunny days team up with falling lake levels.

Watch for crappie to make a blitz back toward shallow venues whenever cloud cover or perhaps rainy days return. Add a little chop to the water from a light wind and that helps too. Some anglers are casting jigs out over shallow submerged structure or using a slip-bobber rig armed with live minnows or jigs. Retrieving the bait slowly over cover will stimulate bites when the fish are displaying a sluggish mood. Slow movement seem to get their attention. Letting the bait just sit still usually won’t pay as many dividends when the lake is dead calm.

Bass fishermen are tossing shad-colored crankbaits and pearl to shad variations of swim baits and finding some fish playing their game. Rattle traps cast in the backs of big bays where meandering schools of shad are staging has produced several largemouth and a few white bass too. Out on main lake areas and around some rip-rap rock banks fishermen have found an occasional smallmouth as well.

It’s that time of the year when early morning and late afternoon surface activity should be showing up on sloping gravel shorelines. Shad move up in the lowlight conditions for brief feeding sprees as they partake of midges, a small insect that hatches out in lowlight periods and really attracts the shad and ultimately the bass.

As October rests on the threshold anglers can expect some cooler weather patterns to enter the picture. Lower surface temperatures will follow the next cool spell and help the attitude of the fish and fishermen.

Piney Campers Fair Starts Today

 September 20 and 21

Annual Piney Campers Fair Open House at LBL

621 Fort Henry Rd., Dover, TN 37058

The Campers’ Fair offers the newest in RVs, camping equipment, golf carts and boats. The event is free and open to everyone. Campers and visitors can enjoy a variety of entertainment including games and music. The flea market will include arts, crafts, and other items for sale. Piney Campground campers will have access to the event, all week, including live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

Silent Auction with Titan sports memorabilia.  

Drawing for a Kayak and Fish Cleaning/Garden folding table.

PLTL will be vending chili, chili pies, hot dogs, chili dogs, and soft drinks.

Fishing Report

 Kentucky Lake 9-12-24

By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)

ANGLERS/BOATERS AWAIT BACKSIDE OF HURRICANE FRANCINE

All across the region outdoorsmen of all sorts---anglers, pleasure boaters, hunters, hikers, etc. ---are waiting to see what the aftermath of Hurricane Francine will bring to the area. Weathermen across the board are talking high winds, thunderstorms and potential for flooding rains. Seems odd to be talking about flooding as the whole region has been under a drought for quite some time. From one extreme to the other it appears.

Kentucky Lake’s elevation in the Kentucky Dam sector has been around 355.9 and not changing much lately due to a lack of rain. Surface temperatures have cooled a bit and are now around 79 degrees. Watercolor remains clear. Anglers are anticipating a big change these next few days. Heavy rains could see lake levels rise. Thunderstorms and gale winds are reason for concern. Not a good time to be out there on the big lake during potential storm conditions. Meanwhile, the area needs water. Low flows in the Tennessee River lately have greatly diminished current and that’s had a negative impact on the catfish bite to some degree.

The flow in the main channel could change dramatically by early next week if heavy rains drop downpours which is what’s predicted. If that happens the catfish bite may rebound quickly by early next week.

Crappie fishing has been improving. Numbers of fish have increased lately for anglers fishing midrange depths of 8 to 13 feet. Some deeper brush piles in the 16-to-20-foot depth range have produced as well at times. Most anglers credit their catches to vertical fishing jigs, but some are always tipping with minnows to enhance the bite. Now that shad have moved up the crappie have too. Some credit their catches to casting jigs. Others are tossing jigs and minnows beneath slip bobbers as the presentation allows easy depth regulation over shallow structure. The crappie bite should hold up well throughout the fall as long as light winds and stable weather allow anglers for move about on the big lake. Look for stability to return soon.

Bass fishing has been fair for a few attempting to locate smallmouth and some schooling largemouth out on main lake ledges. At times a few bass have been found schooling in the backs of large bays on the eastern side of the lake. Finding big schools of shad is the key. Both white bass and largemouth have been busting the surface at times when they tear holes in the water on a feeding frenzy. Tossing chrome colored Rattle Traps and similar shad-colored crankbaits has been productive. Watch for the presence of gull activity to help you locate the baitfish. Those working the main lake ledges are tossing Carolina rigs, Texas rigged worms, big crankbaits and finesse swim baits trying to trigger strikes from sluggish bass.

Right now, many fishermen are in a “wait and see” mode due to the approaching weather patterns as it could indeed be a game changer for the Kentucky Lake fishing scene. Once Francine has passed through there could be some nice temps and fall fishing conditions ahead.

Fall officially arrives Sunday, September 22nd.