Thread: Boltz Lake

I live in N.KY and Boltz is about 30 minutes from me so I've tried it about 3-4 times over the last few years. I didn't make it down there last year at all.

My experience : it has lots of crappie - lots of small crappie.

Actually, I'd say the average is about 8" which isn't as small an average as what I've found at Bullock Pen, for example. But, I don't think I've ever caught a crappie that was 10". They were pretty much all around that 8" mark. I don't think there's any size restrictions. They know they are stunted.

They did take a bunch of crappie out a few years back and took them to Taylorsville. I do wonder if this had any impact on the good reports I've heard from Taylorsville. Of course, I haven't been to Boltz since Fall 2015 so maybe they are bigger now. If you go, let us know.

I've also done better in the upper half of the lake than near the dam, for what it's worth.

Mike

I've heard that about Boltz Lake ... lots of Crappie - mostly dinks.

I don't know if Williamstown Lake (near Dry Ridge, KY) or Bullock Pen ( a little farther North of Boltz, off I75) are any better for size of Crappie. Or even Corinth Lake (about halfway between G-town & Boltz Lake, on I75).

BUT ... if you don't mind driving an extra 20-30mins each way, I'd suggest going to Taylorsville Lake. The last two years fishing there, have been very productive on Black Crappie & White Crappie in the 11-14" length range ... and in good numbers, too.
Just remember ... the size limit is 9" & the creel limit is 15/person/day. And don't forget ... your 2016 license expires this month.

Mike, Crappiepappy, thanks for the info. Will also look into Williamstown and Corinth. Taylorsville is a lot better, just trying to learn a new, smaller lake, but will probably end up at Taylorsville sometime this Spring.
FYI, got to do some crappie fishing at night on Lake Okeechobee (in the river) for a week last month. Short fishing nights, 3 hours max. Limited out each night before or at 9:30pm. Nice fish, all from 11-15".

What about fishing one of the pools on the KY River near Frankfort? I've heard they can be good for crappie. Elmer Davis Lake in Owen County isn't too far either. It's supposed to be a good Gill lake. I haven't done very good on crappie there either.

I fished pool #2 of the KY River at Gratz in Fall 2015 and didn't catch a ton of crappie but the ones I caught were all nice size (10-11" - and oddly enough almost every one of them was a blacknose crappie).

I tried Williamstown several years ago but didn't do much good. I had heard years ago that there was talk of expanding that lake and effectively tripling it's size but never heard anything more. Seems like the best crappie lakes are bigger lakes than what N.KY has to offer.

I've been looking for a good lake for crappie in N.KY for several years but haven't found it. I may try Taylorsville - which is a pretty good hike for me.

Mainly I fish the OH River backwaters. Only place within an hours drive from me where I consistently catch crappie in the 11-14" range.

Originally Posted by perchjerker108

Mike, Crappiepappy, thanks for the info. Will also look into Williamstown and Corinth. Taylorsville is a lot better, just trying to learn a new, smaller lake, but will probably end up at Taylorsville sometime this Spring.
FYI, got to do some crappie fishing at night on Lake Okeechobee (in the river) for a week last month. Short fishing nights, 3 hours max. Limited out each night before or at 9:30pm. Nice fish, all from 11-15".

Headed to Okeechobee myself this Saturday for a week. We will be fishing in the lake & river also. Really looking forward to it.

kycreek. Good luck on your trip. I'm dying to go back. We fished on the north end in the Kissimmee River, just south of the 78 bridge. It was like a city lit up on the lake at night. These guys are serious down there. Honda Generators, 20 lights over the side, fishing up to 40 poles per pontoon. The fishery seems really good, wide range of sizes, we caught over 100(two people)each night, but culled to 11" minimum boat size limit to get our 25/person limit. FYI, there is local rule for anchoring in the River, al boats must be within 45 yards of either bank to allow the free travel through the river in the middle. DNR will make you move if you are in the middle. but if drifting, then you are Ok. Also, local bait shops will sell you minnows by the pound, The only way to go.

I'm in the same situation. I am wanting to give Boltz a try. The posts above offer more information than I've heard. I'll definitely be giving it a try soon and I'll post how it goes. I like using minnows and finding them close by is a problem for me. Good luck to you and maybe I'll see you there.

Bengy Kinman lake is another option. Thats in the Gratz community, don't know of a local bait shop though. There are 5 lakes total with largest being 85 acres. Lots of good bank fishing and the larger lake has a new boat ramp. I only fished one time without much success but my boss burns them up! Lots of crappie, gills, and bass.