Fishing Report

Kentucky Lake 7/31/25
Report Contributor, Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer stevemc@charter.net

OVERDUE COOL SPELL ARRIVES

Kentucky Lake’s fishing scene got a little boost recently from an overdue cool spell. Lower temperatures now underway put a little pep in the step of sluggish summer fishermen who have endured a long stretch of unruly hot and humid weather. Anglers were rising to the occasion the last few days as increased boating and fishing activity was observed out on the big pond. Both pleasure boaters and fishermen were out there partaking of the cooler days that had a slight touch of fall in the early morning hours. The weatherman indicates cooler days will linger at least until the middle of next week. August has a reputation for being a hot month, so it is best to soak up these cool spells when they pass through.

Lake levels have continued to fall slowly as TVA’s drawdown is pretty much on schedule. Elevation this week had dropped to the 357.9 range, which is more than a foot lower from the start of the drawdown which began on July 1. Not much current out there this week. TVA was pulling only 20,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) through Kentucky Dam. Diminished current has curtailed the bite for catfish too as the catfish just don’t move around and show much interest during low current. When the shad don’t meander and roam about the catfish don’t either. Low current also has a negative impact on the ledge bite for summer bass. The current giveth and it taketh away this time of year.

White bass in the jumps are usually going full swing now but that too has been sluggish due to a lack of current. Things can change from day to day out there whenever the current kicks in, so anglers just have to monitor the discharge rates or be out there observing.

Some crappie have been taken by anglers using live minnows in depths of 18 to 22 feet. A few reports indicated some fish residing in the 13-to-15-foot depths as well.

A few bass anglers are finding the top water bite underway in the early morning hours. Once the sun gets up, they’re switching over to the open water ledge bite, opting to toss big deep diving crankbaits and Texas rigged worms, Carolina rigs and some swim baits. It will be interesting to see how the cool spell changed the fishing scene. Odds are surface temp won’t change much but any cooling off is welcomed by all.