Thread: Kentucky lake or Barkley?

Barkley is a little more dangerous in 1 respect (shallow spots, stumps, and snags) but you'll have to deal with the pleasure boat traffic at KY Lake. Which, in my opinion, is even more dangerous! Atleast I can go around a stump but It's hard to dodge drunk jet skiers, ski boats, and Yachts throwing 4' swells. Most of the Pleasure Boats on Barkley learn pretty quick not to venture too far from the channels. That keeps them off of ya while you're trying to fish.

If it were me this time of year I'd pick Barkley just for the lack of Pleasure Boats. Trust me... You don't want any part of Ky. Lake during Pleasure Boating season. You'll be miserable! I hate this lake during the summer months!

Plenty of places to stay around Barkley. Just depends on what part of the lake you wanna fish. Lodging is usually a little cheaper around Barkley too.

Oh, one other thing. Go during the week if you can. You'll avoid the Weekend Warriors and have a better time for the money.

JMHO

Rumor has it that Barkley has the trophy fish and Kentucky Lake has more numbers of fish, just not quite as big. Is there any truth to that?? We loved our time on Barkley and I'm considering buying a lot down there away from the lake...my wife says I loved it a little to much.lol.

I'm no expert on these lakes just a beginner but I swung wide of most points that seemed to taper out into the water and tried to run the channels if possible. Don't be afraid of Barkley but definitely have a healthy respect for it because it's BIG water. The Ohio River up here is big water but Barkley and Ky Lake are quite a bit bigger IMO because they're so much wider looking.

you need to run in the channel in Barkley there is some real skinny water on the main lake and in the bays. you need to get a map and check were the deep water is going into the bays watch the depth finder and go slow. The same advice on Kentucky stay in the channel if it is at winter pool it can be dangerous running out of the channel on either lake. If you have a north or south wind both lake get big rollers however the very north part of Barkley runs east to west and is better boating or trailer to one of the larger bays or creeks.

If you are looking to buy property their are some good deals now on some house boats and you don't have to mow the lawn.