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.