Kentucky Lakes Fishing Report

Lake - Lake Barkley 06/22/06:

Kentucky Lake: Water Level at Ky Dam - 359.18 Surface Temperature - 81
Lake Barkley: Water Level at Barkley Dam - 359.35 Surface Temperature - 81

Both lakes are at or slightly above summer pool. It has been a week of hot humid weather here in the lakes area with daytime heat indexes nearing 100. Some severe thunderstorms are popping up in the lakes area during the heat of the day so you should keep an eye out for the approach of threatening weather when you are on the lakes and react accordingly to find safe dockage if you spot an approaching storm. These storms can and usually are accompanied by bad lightning, possible hail and high winds.

The Largemouth Bass are primarily being taken on the old river channel and creek channel ledges on the main lake and near the mouths of the bays. These summer pattern deep water fish are being taken on deep running crankbaits, Carolina rigged worms and creature baits, Texas rigged large worms and jigs. Some Largemouth Bass are also being taken in shallow water in the creeks and bays near vegatation and/or wood cover. These shallow fish are feeding on schools of fry and are being taken on topwater lures (especially early and late in the day), spinnerbaits and Texas rigged worms, creature baits and tubes.

The Smallmouth Bass are being taken primarily at night now on primary and secondary points on the main lake and in the front halves of the bays on Ky Lake. These fish are being taken on large dark colored spinnerbaits, jigs and tube jigs. Some Smallmouth are being taken during the day on deep main lake points and river channel ledges on Carolina rigged tubes and creature baits and jigs.

Some of the productive lures reported this week are: Lucky Craft sammy in ghost lemon pearl, chatterbuzz buzzbaits in white and black, Rebel Pop R in black/chrome, Rapala DT crankbaits in parrot and bluegill, Baby Huey worms in green pumpkin, Zoom ol monster worms in junebug and plum, Hook Some Bass spinnerbaits in blue glimmer, Hook Some Bass brush hounds in watermelon/red and watermelon/purple, Hook Some Bass tubes in green pumpkin and chameleon craw, Booyah spinnerbaits in black/red and black/purple (night fishing), Strike King bitsy flip jigs in green pumpkin/craw and Hook Some Bass jigs in rootbeer and black/blue.

The White Bass are being taken on the old river channel ledges and adjacent flats. The ledge fish are being taken by vertically fishing with inline spinners, small jigging spoons and split shot rigs baited with minnows. The fish on the flats are being taken by casting inline spinners. I have seen a few jumps this week but all of them are short in duration and appear to be smaller fish.

The Catfish are being taken along the old river channels on bottom rigs baited with shrimp, leeches and cut baits.

The Bluegill are being taken on deep rocky creek channel banks in the bays off the spawning areas and around docks. These fish are readily taking worms and crickets fished under bobbers and worms fished on split shot rigs fished on bottom. Look for feeding Bluegill around mayfly hatches early and late in the day. These fish will readily take crickets and worms fished under bobbers.

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. I am taking reservations for night smallmouth fishing trips on north Ky Lake during the months of July and August in addition to my normal daytime trips. This is a great way to beat the heat of the day and enjoy some fun bass fishing. Now is also a great time to learn how to find and fish ledges on the big lakes.

I have the following dates available for booking in July:

Day trip: 14, 16, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31
Night trip: 13, 15, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, 31

I have numerous openings in August for both day and night trips.

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