Kentucky Lake fishing conditions as of 4/29/11

Provided to you by Lyndon Wicker, Fish Tales Guide Service
765-277-0395
email: info@kylakefishtales.com
www.kylakefishtales.com

Hi All,

The fun just never stops! Now they are calling for us to hit a new high water mark for the lakes of 373.5 next week. WHAT A SPRING! High water in March followed by cold front after cold front, then flooding rains of 6-16 inches depending on where you are across the area. I say that but it could be worse. Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee are recovering from terrible tornados. So we are blessed even with flooding water. It could always be worse. Please keep those people in your prayers.

My report will be short and sweet this week. Fishing will be either bad or good. Sounds like the weather man huh! The last week or so it has been a tough end to a bad crappie year for me. I will still catch them on and off for the next few months but the bulk of the spawn is over I believe. The plus is the catch rate seems to be down for most people I know so it may make for a better than average fall and great spring in 2012. I have been catching a few scattered white crappie along the shoreline near buck brush and flooded trees using jigs and/or minnows. We will likely keep finding them on and off for several weeks.

Largemouth bass have remained good and will likely get only better as the water warms the next few weeks. Look for them around the same flooded cover as the panfish. One of my favorite ways to catch them going into May is a 6 inch worm on a shaky head. They flat tear it up. And of course most other ways work as well. Crank baits, spinner baits, top water, etc. will all be coming into their peak the next few weeks. Especially after we hit and stay over 70 degrees in water temperature.

The same goes for panfish. They have been steadily improving the last few weeks with good catches of bluegill are being reported. Redear are also coming on and should improve the next week or two. Live bait such as pinched off night crawler or red worms will work.

I am getting a lot of questions thrown at me regarding lake level and the affect on fishing. I believe the bass and bluegill will quickly move into the shallow water in search of prey such as bugs and worms. So they should adapt. I just hope the draw down isn’t too quick once it begins. I don’t believe it will be. For those visiting over the next week call ahead and make sure your resort has boat launching and docks covered if you need them. I have been asked if they might close down the lakes. I do not believe so. Last year it was done because of extreme currents and then only for a short time. This time we won’t have that to deal with. They are holding water back to keep it from making the situation on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers worse. So until the Ohio improves the draw here shouldn’t be too bad. Once the Ohio improves then we will see things here pick up and the lakes return to normal. With no further heavy rains I could see that taking a couple to maybe three weeks.

Main thing is to be careful. Have a good time but watch for floating debris. Be careful in the ramps as the water will be deeper than normal. With this crazy weather keep an eye to the sky. And stay clear of the dam. Once release is started it might get heavy. And like always, be careful, be legal and stay safe!

God bless you and your family!

Lyndon

www.kylakefishtales.com

info@kylakefishtales.com

John & Susan Dietrich
IRVIN COBB RESORT
48 Resort Road, Murray, KY 42071
Toll Free 1-888-225-2415 or (270) 436-5811