Thread: Kentucky lake limit

I only get to Ky Lake once a year, for a week. Same as Jigboy, I rarely keep any 10" fish. I don't find it necessay to keep every fish I catch to have a good trip. There is so many nice fish, I just enjoy catching them.

I've seen some post where guys brag they've caught/kept 1000 (and more) fish per season. Then complain the fishing isn't as good as it used to be, go figure!

Just my 2 cents, but fish over 12inches provide weaker spawns than 8-10 inchers according to everything I have read. At Talquin, a 100% Black Crappie population there is people keeping 50 fish limits near everyday and 15 years ago it was 100 limit between 2 anglers. Back then we were catching bigger fish more consistently. The big difference is cover, we had standing timber then. Now we have alot of underwater stuff, just not as much as back then. I think putting out structure would help more than changing limits. You also might want to try new tactics as, black crappie tend to spread out more and suspend off structure and in open water. Good luck guys, KY Lake is a beautiful fishery.

I have fished both Kentucky and Barkley lakes for over 25 years. I can tell you that I have been fishing in the spring and catching fish one day and not the next. The reason is that the TVA plays with the lake level. They do not care about the fishery. One particular day I didn't think that the level had changed. How surprised I was when a local catfisherman said they drew the lake down some and then let it come back up overnight.

Until that nonsense is stopped you are going to continually going to have problems with the crappie spawn. I was also told by a local about 15 years ago that he would set in his lawn chair ( he lives on the lake) and watch the net fishermen put game fish in their boat. When the authorities are told of this they say it doesn't happen.

A 10" limit is fine but I won't return to Kentucky until this madness is straightened out. They sure want your money but could care less if you catch fish.

Originally Posted by pistolpete

I have fished both Kentucky and Barkley lakes for over 25 years. I can tell you that I have been fishing in the spring and catching fish one day and not the next. The reason is that the TVA plays with the lake level. They do not care about the fishery. One particular day I didn't think that the level had changed. How surprised I was when a local catfisherman said they drew the lake down some and then let it come back up overnight.

Until that nonsense is stopped you are going to continually going to have problems with the crappie spawn. I was also told by a local about 15 years ago that he would set in his lawn chair ( he lives on the lake) and watch the net fishermen put game fish in their boat. When the authorities are told of this they say it doesn't happen.

A 10" limit is fine but I won't return to Kentucky until this madness is straightened out. They sure want your money but could care less if you catch fish.

Forecast may be down a little, but I hope more people feel like you do as that would leave lots more crappie for me! The way you have to fish has changed, but if you spend some time learning your electronics there are still more than enough crappie in the lake to have a great time.

I am not speaking of myself in particular. I am referring to the problem with the quanity limit and the problem with the spawns. I can and have fished in February on the edge of the channels with a Kentucky rig and caught my share of crappie. Thank you very much I can read my electronics as well as you can. I started out with the old Lawrence paper graph and can use my current ones very well.

The point I am trying to make is it is no longer feasible for me to travel 100 miles and pay the prices to catch 20 crappie. It is also apparent that many feel as I do because the resorts and motels in that area no longer are filled in April as they once were.

If I lived on the lake as you do, I wouldn't have a problem with the limit either.Have a nice day.

Originally Posted by pistolpete

I am not speaking of myself in particular. I am referring to the problem with the quanity limit and the problem with the spawns. I can and have fished in February on the edge of the channels with a Kentucky rig and caught my share of crappie. Thank you very much I can read my electronics as well as you can. I started out with the old Lawrence paper graph and can use my current ones very well.

The point I am trying to make is it is no longer feasible for me to travel 100 miles and pay the prices to catch 20 crappie. It is also apparent that many feel as I do because the resorts and motels in that area no longer are filled in April as they once were.

If I lived on the lake as you do, I wouldn't have a problem with the limit either.Have a nice day.

I wasn't referring to you directly regarding electronics.....just the average weekend angler I see every year that still tries to catch them the same way they did 20 years ago and refuses to change (sorry if I gave the wrong impression). Things have changed and it has become necessary to learn your electroncs (for most) in order to catch fish. I'm glad you are proficient at reading your electronics as I'm still learning myself everyday and I'm sure you could probably teach me a thing or two (actually I could use some tips on catching crappie in February)!

I really live about the same distance from the lake as you do in Missouri, but recently got a cabin near the lake since I love it so much (nothing fancy just a little place to shower and sleep) and make the drive for a weekend of fishing every chance I get. I share the same frustrations as most w/ TVA, but there isn't much we can do about it and I've fished a lot of areas around the country and I haven't been to a lake I like better than Kentucky for all around species of fish....we are lucky to have a place this nice within 100 miles.

As for the crappie fisherman not coming to the lake like they used to.......wish I could say I agree as this would leave more fish for me, but you better get to the lake early just to launch your boat if you want a place to park during the spawn where I fish. Good luck w/ the crappie this year......

I wish I were within a hundred miles of Ky Lake, I'd be there all the time. I just love the size of those crappie.

I remember those old Lowrance paper graphs. A friend of mine bought one and he used to let me borrow it. It was so cool to watch. I think somedays I could have just drove around the lake just to watch it draw pictures. I did finally buy a graph when Lowrance came out with one that reminded me of that old paper graph, I think the model is an x15mt. I still like a flasher though for the quicker feed back it provides.

I don't think the change in limit will have that much effect on people coming to the lake. I rarely see anyone with a limit anyway. Go fishing...have fun.

Originally Posted by crappielimits

Just my 2 cents, but fish over 12inches provide weaker spawns than 8-10 inchers according to everything I have read. You also might want to try new tactics as, black crappie tend to spread out more and suspend off structure and in open water.

I've been fish'n Kentucky and Barkley lakes for over 40 years and I learn something new everytime I go out.

I am one who likes to expand my knowledge base any chance I get and believe me, I study these fish. I read every article I can find, attend seminars, and watch every video I can get my hands on. I also enjoy reading the posts on these forums.

I have read several articles on crappie reproduction and don't recall reading anything about weak spawns from larger fish. I'm not saying it's not true, I just can't find anything to support that statement. I would like to read the data that supports that theory.

I know that in La. the slot limit has helped the Redfish rebound dramatically! They say that letting the larger fish have an opportunity to spawn has had an enormous impact on the population.

As for the Black Crappie vs White Crappie, I find that the Blacks seem to be more structure oriented and the Whites I catch many times (not all the time), are backed off the structure/suspended in open water. I might be going about it backwards. It would't be the first time. Ask my wife! :D

You are right that the fishing has changed here on Ky. Lake over the last 20 years or so.

The population of crappie, over the last 20 years has flip flopped from 70% Whites/30% Blacks to just about the opposite today. From what I've read this is primarily due to several factors but the 2 primary factors are...

1. Years ago most of what we caught were Whites and fishermen around here got the "White Crappie" mindset and overlooked the early movements of the Blacks. This resulted in more Blacks slipping thru the cracks and getting to spawn while the whites were getting caught.

2. Water clarity in Ky. lake has also made the lake more attractive to the Blacks. From what I've read Blacks tend to favor clearer water.

Any feed back would be appreciated.