Kentucky lake or Barkley?

[jwmacdc]

I'm wanting to go down and do some bluegill and redear fishing which lake would be best? And where is a good place to stay at thats on the lake?
Thanks

[killum]

I have been having good results on Kentucky the last couple years, but I am hearing reports of great panfishing at Barkley too. I have stayed at Moors resort and Big Bear Resort and both are great, with Moors being a little more pricey but a little better amenities. There are lots of great places to stay, that should be easy depending on where you plan to fish. I catch good numbers around Big Bear. Best of luck to you.

[tempco]

I think both lakes are good if you want to fish north Barkley and want to stay at a motel that has boat hookups poplar Creek Lodge 270 388 9467

north Kentucky Bel-Air Motel 270 362 4254 Ken Bar Lodge this used to be a dump but it has been refurbished and I see a lot of fishermen staying there now, I don't know that much about it 270 362 4990

[Jigboy]

If you aren't familiar with either lake go to KY Lake. Barkley can be more dangerous if you go running out of the channel. Of course you need to be careful at every lake but Barkley just scares me.

[tempco]

I agree with jigboy Kentucky much safer and easier to navigate. I would pick Kentucky for safety reasons

[Wiskers]

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

[redearhoosier]

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.

[tempco]

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.

[ctf58]

Just went to Ken-Bar to look around and it is still a dump. they only open if they have a tournament that might fill it up. Otherwise they turn all the power off and it smells musty and moldy. Rooms (2 of them) had runs in carpets 5 feet long and stains.

[tempco]

Thanks that is good information. I won't recommend it anymore