Thread: Ky Lake vs Green River

Originally Posted by perchjerker108

Crappie&shrooms, I agree with Kyfishman. Somerset would be a good 'home' base for fishing with several other nice lakes within 2 hour drive or less. I do have a trip planned again for KY lake this spring. It may be my last based on what people I know live there tell me about the fishing since I was last there and what I run into during the trip, it may be fine, just don't know. Just don't want to deal with the a bunch of Carp and hope I don't have to. The KY/Barkley lake area is or has been great for fishing over the years, but this Carp thing may become a big problem. So, Somerset is a beautiful area. Spend most of my fishing there in or near Pitman Creek and did pretty good on Crappie years ago. Huge lake, very nice people in the area.

Thanks for the feedback. I will be checking out that area.

Originally Posted by Northforker

Ky lake will disappoint you.

We been coming to KY lake every year and sometimes twice a year for10-12 years now. I know what you are saying but I have yet to be disappointed. But it sure has been frustrating. But it has become a bigger challenge the last couple years. We always managed to find and catch some fish. If we are on the water, we're happy. Nothing more relaxing than floating around the lake. My biggest disappointment was last year in Oct. We were at Cypress Bay. Some dirt bag decided he needed my HDS9, ram mount and St Croix rod more than I did. They hit several boats on the dock that night.
But I honestly appreciate your input. I want all the info anyone is willing to share.

Originally Posted by Duckmann

None of us want to face the affects of aging. I've worked in a VA for 19 years. During that time I've seen the changes of aging on thousands of veterans. Since I was 48 when I started I've seen the changes in myself. While the search for a retirement location always centers on the choice of house and a location that meets your recreation needs and your finances only a foolish person does not consider the quality and accessibility of healthcare. A few years ago my son in law and I were driving around KY Lake near the Moors. Saw a few nice places for sale and knowing what I had learned it occurred to me that if you had a heart attack or major medical emergency in that area you weren't going to make it to the ER alive. The winding roads, lack of immediate EMT care and distance to the nearest hospital all contributed to that thought. So pick a place you'll love to live but make sure if and when one of you needs it you can get the care that will let you enjoy that retirement longer. Goid luck to you.

Thank for the advice. We are keeping that in mind. We been shopping and looking at places for a couple years now. We make a list of places from realtor.com, then drive down and look around. We steer away from the too remote ones. I will say one thing. Whom ever takes some of the pictures for these real estate companies are a magician. The house or trailer looks nothing like it does in the pictures. LOL
I see you are from Carterville. I was born and raised not too far from you. I lived in the Anna, Cobden, Alto Pass area. Spent a lot of time in Southern IL.

We're looking at a move to coastal SC within the next year. Have been going there for 12-14 years. I know what you mean. Have looked at several houses that aren't quite,as pictured. Have lived here for19 years. Originally from the Lafayette IN area but lived in Murray MY for 3 years in the early 90s.

That was Murray KY. I hate autocorrect.

I grew up in Calvert City by KY Lake, then lived in Louisville KY for 13 years and fished all the lakes you've mentioned on weekend getaways from Louisville, I'm now back home living south of Benton 20 minutes from the lake. I believe Dale Hollow is one of the prettiest of all the ones mentioned, with Cumberland a close second. Barren reminds me a lot of a mini-KY Lake.

I just feel like it's very tough to beat KY Lake, especially the north end where you have easy access to two HUGE lakes side-by-side, wonderful recreational activities in Land Between the Lakes, and easy access to so many other places via I-24 and I-69. I believe your money goes farther in the more remote areas like Hamlin KY, but with so many great little small towns with great little mom-and-pop restaurants and stores I would have a hard time giving those up to be out in the middle of nowhere (like Hamlin).

Lots of folks are writing off KY Lake due to carp, I wouldn't let that influence your decision. It's only a matter of time before the carp are in the other lakes too. It's not the first "big scare" and certainly won't be the last, nature adapts and things have a way of working out; I remember a time when zebra mussels were supposedly going to be the death of KY Lake, that was 30 years ago and those zebra mussels are still in there.

Originally Posted by crappie&shrooms

Ok looking for a little help if anyone would be so kind. The wife and I have been going to Ky lake every year for the last 10-12 years. Stayed predominately around the Big Bear area. But also stayed at Cypress Bay on the KY/TN line as well as Paris Landing and Springville in TN. Been to Reelfoot lake also. We think we have our hearts set on retiring and moving to the KY lake area somewhere between Benton KY to Paris Landing area. HOWEVER we would like to test the waters at a couple other lakes before deciding. I have about 3 more years before I retire. We were thinking about making a visit to Green River lake or Barren River lake. We mainly fish for crappie, but close second is bluegill, white bass, yellow bass. Of those 2 lakes which would you recommend? I really think I like what I read about Green River. I am certain it is hard to beat Ky lake but I just would like to try a couple different areas before I commit. We are choosing an area in close proximity to a lake. I want to retire and live out my days fishing. Nowhere close to a big city.
Also on my thinking list was Nolin lake, Rough River lake, Dale Hollow lake and Old Hickory lake. Please share your thoughts, good and bad, on any of these lakes.
Thanks in advance for any info you share.

As a fellow Illinoisan have you ever fished Lake of Egypt, Newton or any of the powerplant lakes in southern Illinois? these lakes provide year round crappie fishing and warm water on the coldest winter days. between the power plants lakes, Rend, Kincaid and others within a short drive its tough to beat for crappie. I fish KY lake often as well but the last few years size and numbers of crappie coming out of the lakes i mentioned above have been heads and shoulders above KY lake, besides it being in the Chicago controlled cesspool of Illinois. Living in these areas is cost wise comparable to the Ky lake area, also KY lake is only a hour and some change drive away.

in my opinion Rend, kincaid & LOE are a better crappie fishery today than KY lake is. the diversity in scenery of those lakes is also a nice change, from the muddy Rend clay to clear rocky kincaid and then the power plant lakes it is truly crappie heaven. (no asian carp either!)

With the sizes of crappie these lakes have been putting out i no longer make trips to Mississippi and less and less to KY lake each year. when your catching 2 lbers around here year round why drive to do the same?

I grew up around the Nolin/rough river area. I currently live on Rough River Lake. They are both nice lakes. I do prefer fishing on Nolin but the fishing on rough is decent as well. The cost of living in this area is not bad and housing prices are good. I would recommend a visit. We are close to Elizabethtown and Leitchfield is growing. I do recommend Nolin over Rough because Rough gets heavier traffic in the summer and seems to settle better after heavy rains.