Kentucky Lakes Fishing Report

Lake - Lake Barkley 03/16/06:

Dave Stewart dave@kentuckylakeguide.com wrote:

Kentucky Lake: Water Level at Ky Dam - 354.40 Surface Temperature - 56
Lake Barkley: Water Level at Barkley Dam - 354.55 Surface Temperature - 57

Both lakes are a few inches over winter pool and are forecasted with a slight rise over the next couple of days. The unseasonably warm weather and windy conditions continued this week and the water temperatures have risen considerably. Our surface temperatures are now about 7 degrees above normal for this time of year. The forecast for the next 5 days shows the air temperatures will return to more seasonable levels of highs in the low 50's and low's in the 30's beginning tomorrow. We will have to see if the water temperatures drop but I would expect they will at least a degree or two.

Largemouth Bass: Some good fish have been taken over the past week both on early deep water patterns and on shallow patterns. Largemouth are being taken on primary main lake points and secondary creek channel points in the bays on suspending jerkbaits and crankbaits. Some good catches are also being taken on warm windy days on the flats in shallow water near submerged wood cover using lipless crankbaits and spinnerbaits. The cooler weather may slow down this shallow water bite, we will just have to wait and see.

Smallmouth Bass: The Smallmouth Bass are once again being reported with scattered catches and no large numbers being taken. The fish that are being reportedly caught are being taken on main lake primary points and the first few secondary points in the bays on the east side of Ky lake. It may be the weird weather we have been having but whatever the reason the normally good Smallmouth bite we have this time of year has not been there as of yet.

Some of the more productive lures reported for the past week are: Smithwick Suspending Rogues in Tennessee shad, black/chrome/orange, Rapala Husky Jerks in blue/chrome/orange, Rapala X-Raps in black/silver, green/white, Bandit crankbaits in rootbeer/chartruese, Rapala DT7 (flat sided) silver, Rapala shadraps in original crawdad, Lewis Rattletraps in blue/chrome and black/red and Hook Some Bass spinnerbaits in blue glimmer and chartruese/white

Crappie: There have been good reports on the Crappie this week with a number of folks limiting out. From the reports I have received it seems the Black Crappie are being taken shallow in 4-6 ft of water around wood cover by fishing with minnows and small jigs under bobbers as well as by casting small roadrunner type jigs with curly tails on deeper banks. Anglers are also taking White Crappie along old creek channels over deep brush piles in 10-12 ft of water by spider rigging with small jigs and minnows.

I have not received any reports on other species of fish as of yet or at least not enough reports to feel that the report would be valid.

Remember the water temperatures and weather are still in the range for hypothermic conditions so you should take precautions such as having an extra set of dry clothing with you and you should let someone know where you will be fishing and when you expect to return and have them verify that you got in safely.

I have the following dates available for booking over the rest of March and the month of April:
March: 23, 24, 28 and 30
April: 4, 5, and 11

If you are in need of a guide for some fun bass fishing, tournament preparation, lake familiarization or technique instruction don't hesitate to give me a call or drop me an email.

Dave Stewart
Bass Buster Guide Service
270-354-5039
dave@kentuckylakeguide.com
www.kentuckylakeguide.com
" Fish with a Professional"