BASS ON MAIN LAKE LEDGES/CATFISH AND BLUEGILL BITE GOOD

Kentucky Lake - 6/3/26
By Steve McCadams, Professional Guide/Outdoor Writer (stevemc@charter.net)

Nice weather has dominated the Kentucky Lake fishing scene recently with lower humidity and temperatures that made it feel great out there. Still underway is the catfish bite out on the main Tennessee River channel courtesy of the current stimulating movement of baitfish. Anglers are targeting big schools of shad along the river channel in the 25-to-40-foot depth range. Both blue and channel catfish have been following their forage base. Observing their sonar screens and locating those big balls of baitfish have been the key to finding the catfish. Increased current has stimulated the food chain out there and the catfish recognize it and go on the prowl.

TVA has diminished the current some in the last few days yet there’s enough to keep the bite going. Lake levels were still hovering above normal summer pool level and were resting at the 359.9 elevation---359 is normal summer pool---so the lake is still up due to recent rains and water moving through from upstream. Watercolor remains clear. Surface temperatures were around the 78-degree range. The region has had some cool nights lately, but long-range weather forecast indicates a slow warm up is on the way for the weekend.

In addition to the good catfish spree that has been underway in the aftermath of recent rains across the TVA valley, the main lake ledge bite has been improving for bass anglers. A summer pattern is already in progress so tossing big crankbaits, Texas rigged worms, Carolina rigs and also fishing finesse baits out there on the ledges has paid dividends lately. However, the shallow bite is not bad. The higher lake levels have inundated buck bushes and weed beds this past week. That has appealed to schools of shad fry that are relating to treelaps, weed beds and buck bushes.

Tossing a gold willow leaf spinnerbait with a blue/chartreuse skirt has worked well. Points of river islands have been holding bass too whenever the pin minnows are located. Top water jerk baits and floating Senko style worms have also produced lately.

Bluegill are still sporting an appetite for crickets, wax worms and artificial grubs that mimic larva. Tipping the tiny jigs with a redworm or waxworm has been enticing bites. A few shellcracker are still lingering around bushes and on deeper banks near grass beds. The fish appear to be passed active bedding phases, but anglers can still find enough to keep it interesting.

Within the next week to ten days anglers can expect an early mayfly hatch that will stimulate the shallow bite.

Crappie showed some improvement lately as the fish indicated more interest to hang tight around midrange structure. Bush piles and stake beds located in the 12-to-15-foot depth range are holding fish. Live minnows have worked well as have jigs tipped with minnows.

June is productive month on Kentucky Lake for crappie and many anglers overlook it.