Kentucky lake or Barkley?

The Barkley area is all limestone. Many of the old roadbeds were lined with limestone formations, almost like guardrails. You can go toward Eddie Creek, between Kuttawa Harbor and the port authority bay, at the south end of one of the golf course holes, and see what I'm taking about.

It's funny to take my Dad fishing in that area. He grew up near Old Eddyville and I have a picture of my great Grandmother and I that was taken on her front steps. Her house would now be right at the edge of the lake, just east of the prison. Dad can tell me stories of all the drag races, parties, and probably not-so-legal things he and his friends did at certain parts of the roadbeds. I spent a lot of my summers as a kid with my Grandparents who lived then just east of Eddie Creek. I fished with my Granddad and uncles all over that area when the lake was new. My Grandparents later lost their home site to I-24, which split their farm right down the middle.

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Originally Posted by redearhoosier

I'd like to hear from Dux, Whiskers or BigBadDad on this subject too because I'm somewhat scared running on Barkley too. Is there lots of pop up sandbars or is it stumps in the main channel? I've been on the Northern end twice and will definitely go back down in the fall, would like to know about these issues beforehand. Thanks guys.

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Best advice I can give ya pretty much echos what Dux said. He's 100% right on with the info.

All I can add is that I run that lake with a 4000 HP Towboat and as many as 20 barges at times. You get out of the main channel and in places, the bottom gets close to the top QUICK! I can't count the number of pleasure boats that I've seen grounded and/or busted up while I've been running the lake. Honor the buoys and if you do venture out of the channel, go SLOW & WATCH THAT DEPTHFINDER! HAVE YOUR HAND ON THE THROTTLE & BE READY TO BACK! DON"T GET IN THAT LAKE DURING HIGH WATER AT NIGHT!!!

Seriously... If you use your head you'll be fine.

I guess I have never considered myself to be in danger because I have never had a been out in a boat with a motor bigger then a 30 horse. I have hit structure before (mostly stumps) and as long as everyone was sitting down you look around in shock for a second, laugh it off and go on your way with a new dent in the boat. I can see how an old house foundation or a rock formation could definitely change the outcome...those things don't give way much. I will just stick to my usual way of doing things....slow and steady....and I should be fine. I appreciate the info from everyone and Mr. Dux I would love to hear some of the stories your Dad has.
Chris

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Originally Posted by chrispbrown27

I guess I have never considered myself to be in danger because I have never had a been out in a boat with a motor bigger then a 30 horse. I have hit structure before (mostly stumps) and as long as everyone was sitting down you look around in shock for a second, laugh it off and go on your way with a new dent in the boat. I can see how an old house foundation or a rock formation could definitely change the outcome...those things don't give way much. I will just stick to my usual way of doing things....slow and steady....and I should be fine. I appreciate the info from everyone and Mr. Dux I would love to hear some of the stories your Dad has.
Chris

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I agree with slow and steady and watch your depth finder.

This is an example of what they are talking about.... this is an old foundation on Barkley right on the edge of a creek channel 350 yds from the river channel. You can find some buoys that set some distance from the river channel so it may not be that far from the buoy. Notice the elevation is 350... winter pool is 354. The other pic is the area (not exact) on Google Earth.Attachment 127784Attachment 127785