Thread: Cumberland

Been thinking about making a visit to C-land for a few days this coming year. My buddy had mentioned it a few times this fall that he wanted to make the trip. Normally when we head out on our trips we just pack a tent and just camp. I haven't been down there in probably 30 years and don't remember much.
Are there any decent campgrounds around where you can pitch a tent? Some places are more set up for campers. We need to have electric at the site. Water at the site would be nice too but we can live without it if it's close by. We need a nice shower house too.

Since I haven't been there in so long I have no idea what areas are good or bad so any help on that would be appreciated. Any places I should avoid?

Below the dam at Kendall Camp ground. each site has loose gravel that is not too bad for tent camping and has water and electric at each, and bathhouses at each end of the camp. Easy access to the lake

At cumberland point
has a pretty good campground with electric. It has bathrooms and showers(i think).

Okay, thanks for the tips. I'll check them out.

Lake Cumberland state park, next to Lure Lodge, has some nice camping sites with electric and water and have a shower house as well. Your also right there at State dock for lake access and also pumpkin creek boat ramp is there as well.

Well we made reservations at Lake Cumberland State Park and we'll be down next week. I'm not sure what to expect on the crappie fishing so a little help would be appreciated.
On our lakes up here you will find fish in super shallow water and pitching jigs or jig & cork works well with most fish are relating to visible cover. Fishing 1'-5' deep will get you plenty of fish. Also our water has been muddy for months and is just now starting to clear up a little. Dark baits work well and do bright colors.
Cumberland is a completely different type of lake than what we have up here with steep rock banks from what I can remember and much clearer water. I've heard there is a lot of new submerged cover since the recent refilling of the lake and we're assuming the crappie will be relating to that cover. Generally we assume the water will be much clearer and when fishing clearer water up here we use neutral or natural colors. We'll probably use some minnows too.
If anyone could help with any general info on the fishing it would be greatly appreciated. I'm not looking for your spots just a little guidance to get us started.
Thanks in advance to anyone responding.

Well, it will probably be very very clear and there are lots and lots of cover from 25 to 30 fow to the bank. You are pretty much right about the jig colors. My tip is to cover as much water as u can.

Originally Posted by slabeye

My tip is to cover as much water as u can.

That is my normal approach when fishing until I can make at least some contact with the fish. I would almost bet all that new cover is both a curse and a blessing.
I also tend to use weedless jig heads so the cover should at least be manageable to fish.

The last time I fished there (a long, long time ago) I think we were in an area called Buck Creek. From what I remember it was all very steep rock banks with very little cover. I have no idea where it is in relation to the State Park or if the topography is similar but it will be an interesting trip I'm sure.

"Max" ... Buck Creek is on the far Eastern end of the lake, and actually runs into the Cumberland River well East of Burnside State Park .... so you'll be almost on the opposite end of the lake from Buck Creek. But ... no worries, as you'll have several large creeks to check out that branch out behind Jamestown Marina & the Cumberland State Dock.

The rains forecast between now & then, just may put some color in the water ... so you may want to go well back into those creeks to start, and work your way out. Not sure where the fish are as far as their spawning run goes, but I'd still approach the banks (esp the clear water areas) fishing from deep to shallow.

Haven't fished Cumberland for Crappie during this time of year, in a long time ... but, I do know that small pockets with wood cover & dirty water "can" hold a number of good sized White Crappie. There may even be some Black Crappie still holding in the shallows, which is why I recommend fishing the shallows from a distance.

Pappy...I looked at the area map and it does look like there is plenty of creeks in the area to explore. The way those creeks twist and turn looks like we can find some shelter from the wind if need be too.
That's a good tip about looking for the colored water from run-off. I was wondering about where they maybe in the spawn cycle. Like most lakes I would assume there are still plenty of females with eggs well into May so I'm assuming we maybe able to locate some shallow fish out to maybe the 15' depth.
I'm really looking forward to fishing something completely different.