Newbie trying to fish the KY River

[siddhartha]

Anyone here catch many crappie on the KY River in the Fayette, Clark, Madison, and Estill County area? If so, would you care to share with a newbie when, where, how you go about finding them?

Just so you know, I don’t consider myself a crappie fisherman; by that I mean I haven’t had much luck at targeting them specifically. My wife & I fish ultra-light, I also fly rod, we are opportunistic fishermen, and there have been several occasions we‘ve ‘stumbled upon‘ crappie and had some good fishing.

Seems we’ve had the best luck early in the season around snags, stickups, and downed trees, but one never knows WHICH snags, stickups, or downed trees they may be at on any given day. I’ve had no luck at all at patterning them; they’re unpredictable to me. I would greatly appreciate any sound guidance someone may have.

Thanks.

[TeqSheriff]

I live in Madison county, and I've only been out on the KY River once. I'm as interested in "sound guidance" as you are, but regret I can't provide much insight.

We launched at Boonesborough State Park. The parking area there is a little cramped, but other people have since told us that is the best ramp to use. I'm not especially handy at maneuvering the trailer, and I was relieved that I got it in between the lines in the parking area without causing any damage. From that ramp, there is a lock immediately upstream that I don't think you can pass, so it's all downstream from there. There are surprisingly few coves, entering streams, and other features off the main channel. That was kind of new to me; I'm used to going looking for fish in the creeks and coves, so I wasn't ready for just one main channel with very steep sides.

We usually fish the ponds around Richmond (and sometimes the lakes further south like Linville, Wood Creek, and Cedar Creek), but I'm always interested in what else is going on, so please keep us posted on your trips to the KY River.

[siddhartha]

Thank you for commenting Teq. I live in Clark county and dock at Red River which is 10 river miles below lock 11 (at Fox) and 14 river miles above lock 10 (Boonesborough). This pool is the second longest pool on the KY River; the one you’re referring to is the shortest one (incidentally, Clark and Fayette both get their water supply from this pool).

The crappie we do catch up here, which are always whites, are usually good sized in the 10-13” range. The problem is locating them. I use a small boat with a large motor which can cover a lot of water in short time. I have a portable fish finder (Fishing Buddy) that has a side finder view, and which I have to admit, I’ve never tried using it to look for crappie, but I do intend to use it next Spring for just that purpose. Is this the secret to locating the crappie on the river? A fish finder?

IME, crappie are easy to catch IF you find them.

[TeqSheriff]

Very interesting. I'll have to check the Gazeteer map when I get home to see if I can find Red River and the other locations you mentioned. Is the place where you launch a pretty good ramp: ramp in good condition, adequate parking, safe?

We have a basic fishfinder (Eagle 320) that "looks" straight down below the transom. It's been great to get a picture of the bottom, but I don't think it has improved our catch much.

We don't cover all that much water, we usually just use the trolling motor to cruise around while casting small jigs and keeping an eye on the fish finder. If we see something of interest on the screen, we'll stop and fish it.

My basic understanding of crappie behavior is the same as yours: they orient themselves to underwater structure, the school up, and they move around. If you find them, they're easy to catch, and if you don't find them, well, they're hard to catch. You've really got me interested in exploring the river a little more; I gotta admit that the ponds can get a little boring after a while.

[siddhartha]

Teq, take Hwy 52 to Waco, turn north onto 977 and follow it until it dead ends at the KY River (used to be a ferry here, it was lost in the flood of 78'). This is directly accross from the mouth of Red River and the dock on the Clark County side. Many, many people put in here and park. It's highly visible from the Clark side and I've never heard of any problems there. But, you can always come over to Clark County for all the conveniences of e bonafide boat dock; take 89 out of Irvine to Clark and turn (about 3 miles) left onto Red River Road and keep going straight at the 180 degree wye and dead end at the KY River opposite of the Madison side.

Hope this helps.

[TeqSheriff]

Thanks, Sid! That is some very useful info--didn't know there was a ramp there. I am interested in checking it out on the next nice day. Is the river at a good level where I can launch a boat or is it down?

[2CHAIRS]

If you use the College hill ramp, stay to the downriver side. The ramp has a dropoff on the upriver side.
There isn't a parking area there, everyone just parks beside the road.
I didn't get to fish this weekend, but the water was clear and 37F at the ramp, 44F at the lock last weekend.
The stickups just upriver of the ramp is good for a few crappies at times.
Everyone I have met on that pool has been very nice and more than a few people has put me on to some crappie locations.
Good luck hope to see you down there.

[siddhartha]

Thanks, Sid! That is some very useful info--didn't know there was a ramp there. I am interested in checking it out on the next nice day. Is the river at a good level where I can launch a boat or is it down?

Well, it's not a ramp, it's where a road dead ends into the river. Take a Sunday drive without the boat and check it out first (word to the wise).

If you use the College hill ramp, stay to the downriver side. The ramp has a dropoff on the upriver side.
There isn't a parking area there, everyone just parks beside the road.
I didn't get to fish this weekend, but the water was clear and 37F at the ramp, 44F at the lock last weekend.
The stickups just upriver of the ramp is good for a few crappies at times.
Everyone I have met on that pool has been very nice and more than a few people has put me on to some crappie locations. Good luck hope to see you down there.

Is College Hill ramp the name this is known by? If so, it's new by me, never heard that term before, where does it come from I wonder?

But yes, you are correct, it is a good bunch of folks up in these parts.

[2CHAIRS]

Well, it's not a ramp, it's where a road dead ends into the river. Take a Sunday drive without the boat and check it out first (word to the wise).



Is College Hill ramp the name this is known by? If so, it's new by me, never heard that term before, where does it come from I wonder?

But yes, you are correct, it is a good bunch of folks up in these parts.

I moved to Richmond about five years ago. I asked some local fisherman where the boat ramp was on the Madison Co side. They said College Hill. I assumed it was called College Hill ramp. I appologize for causing any confusion.

[siddhartha]

I moved to Richmond about five years ago. I asked some local fisherman where the boat ramp was on the Madison Co side. They said College Hill. I assumed it was called College Hill ramp. I appologize for causing any confusion.

You never caused any confusion; you've caused some clarification; it got my curiosity up and I googled it, and lo and hehold, College Hill is indeed located right on 977, which dead ends at the river. (I've never been there, but as the crow flys it's probably within 4-5 miles of my house).

College Hill, Kentucky KY Community Profile / Madison County, KY Data (scroll down for the map)