Kentucky Lake has some of the
nation's best sport fishing opportunities for crappie, bass, sauger,
catfish, and bluegill. Although there are traditional fishing
periods, the season begins as early as the fisherman wants and lasts
until he chooses to quit!
Largemouth Bass
Widely distributed throughout the lakes, this top sport
fish is frequently caught in excess of 5 pounds. The biggest fish of the
year are taken in the early spring as spawn begins when the fish are
sticking close to the shorelines. The greatest quantities of bass are
commonly taken during April and May. In summer, as the water temperature
rises, fish concentrate on the dropoffs and creek channels during
mid-day hours. Some action can still be found in the shallows at early
morning and late evening. The fall months bring a return of spring
patterns. They can also be found chasing the abundant schools of bait
fish that are normally found on the main lake near the points.
Largemouth will move back to dropoffs during the winter, but a few mild
days may entice them into the shallows for feeding.
Smallmouth Bass
Considered to be the best battler when hooked, this species is found in
large concentrations on both lakes. These spring spawners closely follow
the patterns of largemouths during both the spring and summer months,
with the largest numbers being caught in April and May. Fall and winter
will find them much more reluctant to move into the shallows, preferring
the deep rocky banks.
Kentucky Bass / Spotted Bass
Abundant populations of this fighter are found along both
main lakes and major tributaries. While following many of the spring and
summer patterns of the largemouth, they can also be found schooling near
points where bait fish are present. Mid-fall will find these bass moving
back to shallow water, especially near wood structures. Like the
largemouth, they will hang near the dropoffs during the winter months.
White & Black Crappie
The average size of this species is large
due to the minimum size limitations and immense forage base found in
both lakes. Early spring will find them along shallow dropoffs and near
shore where cover is available. As the water temperature s rise, the
crappie move into the shallows to spawn. March, April and May yield the
biggest catches and offer the heaviest activity, with the spawn
generally occurring near the middle of April. As summer approaches they
will seek the cooler areas around droppoffs, but will reappear in the
fall months around structures and shorelines with cover. The colder
months will make them a little sluggish, but nice catches are still very
possible on creek channels near the mouth of bays, especially after 2-3
days of moderate weather.
Bluegill
Located all over the lakes, bluegill spawn
in late spring and concentrate in timber and brush during April and May.
During summer, and even late fall, they can be found near practically
every dock and tree, with the bigger of the species being caught deeper.
They will often keep these patterns until as late as December, but will
grow sluggish in January and February.
White Bass
Tremendous schools of these fish make annual runs to
upper reaches of the main tributaries each spring. During the summer
months, large schools will chase shad and minnows on the surface of the
main lake, providing some of the best action to be found. Trolling with
deep divers or spoons along the edges of the main river channel will
also produce large catches. During the fall months they will be more
difficult to locate but are still in large schools and will occasionally
show some surface activity. White bass tend to frequent deep flats in
late fall, but will move to the deeper main lake points during winter
months.
Striped Bass / Rock Fish
This species concentrate below the dams in the swift
tailwaters. Live bait (herring or shad, caught below the dams), jigs and
rapala type lures will produce best results in the spring. Summer
patterns are very similar, but also try trolling with a very deep diving
lure as well. Rockfish are more active in the fall. Switch to a larger
bait, 6 to 10 inches, and watch for surfacing fish. During the winter
months, the activity will slow as the water temperature falls. Use
smaller baits at this time of year.
Catfish
One of the more popular of the lakes
area fish, this species is located in coves, creeks and main lake
pockets. They are late spring spawners and will move to the shallow mud
banks in April then to rocky shoreline to spawn during May and June.
During the summer months, fishing is best on the main river channels,
especially near sharp bends. Feeding activity of the catfish falls with
the cooling of the water temperatures. This species will remain dormant
until the early spring.
