Thread: Kentucky Lake

Originally Posted by crappiepappy

... but, read thru this : Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources - Kentucky Lake - Crappie Movement Study --- it might provide some useful info/insight, to go along with whatever others might provide.

... cp

What pappy has posted is probably one of the best tools that I have use in a long time. It really helped me on the Blacks. Their movement is so different from the Whites that most people miss them altogether.

Who would have thought that you could catch BIG Blacks the first week of March fish'n 3' deep in 5' of water, that was 44 degrees while everybody else was fish'n deep. I did. Limited out on big Blacks 4 days in a row. That study helped me understand the Blacks. Read that study over a couple of times. You'll be suprized how early the Black move up.

Good point pappy. I had forgotten all about it. That study, and this may sound like BS, but it was so good that in all honesty it probably hurt the population a little. No kidding. It really got more fishermen targeting the Blacks and catching more fish. Until that study came out only a select few knew about the Blacks and their tendancy to move up earlier and stay longer. Everybody followed the Whites till then.

I read what pappy wrote. There is black's in my home lake or so people say there is. I will try these tip's at my home lake in there clear water.

Originally Posted by Wiskers

If a man could get launched he can catch some fish. The lake is back down to winter pool and it's mainly the back parts of the bays that are frozen up. I just got off the boat I I was on the Tn. and Cumberland. Looked to me like the bays on the west sides of both lakes had the most ice. Most of the outer 1/3 of the bays were clean. The water temp is probably in the mid to high 30's but will warm back up with some sunny days.

I was just south of Blood River duck hunting yesterday and the lake froze over bank to bank (including the channel) between sun up and 10:30 am.

The temperature in the truck hit zero on the drive up.

Originally Posted by Quackrstackr

I was just south of Blood River duck hunting yesterday and the lake froze over bank to bank (including the channel) between sun up and 10:30 am.

The temperature in the truck hit zero on the drive up.

I can't remember the last time that happened. It's been awhile!

Someone on the radio just today said that it had been in the late 70's.
Probably 78-79. Pappy thanks for reminding us of the info. Printed it off and read over it again today. Very good info.

Originally Posted by Wiskers

I think this is gonna be a good year. This cold weather is gonna kill off some bait fish and that's a good thing for fishermen. More compitition for food. Plus the limit was dropped to 20 last year. Also I caught a lot, and I mean a lot of fish last year that were just shy of 10". They'll be keepers this year. I also think that the hight water the last 2 years probably helped the spawn. Especially on the Blacks.

Look'n forward to get'n on the water.

I can't remember the last time we have had a big shad kill thru the winter. I know it takes around 40 degree water for em' to start dying and judging by the ice everywhere Id say quite a few have kicked the bucket. Should be a good spring!

With the weatherman predicting highs in the upper 40s the next several days, what does everybody think would be the earliest a guy could get in around the north end of Ky. or Barkley lake, say Smith bay or Nichols branch? I would love to try it tomorrow (Jan. 15) but I just don't see any way. My guess would be about Wed? Thanks.
Mark

It's hard to say.

Some of the bays are clear out toward the main lake but it may be a while before the ramps at the backs of the bays are open.

A lot of it depends on how much wind and wave action the lakes get.

The lakes may be a bit hairy for several days as these huge sheets of thick ice start breaking loose and head north.