Cave Run Lake help

[JKeeney20]

Was planning on taking my dad down probably early to mid march for some crappie/bass fishing. Was wanting to get some tips or certain areas(spots) to fish, want him to have a good time(otherwise he won't go anywhere else with me besides the local lakes). This will be a trip I make once or twice a year, so its not like I will be in your spots, areas, etc...when you go there, if you help me out! I fish Paint creek lake, Rocky Fork Lake, Scioto River and Ohio River(Portsmouth area) religiously. Would be willing to trade spots(got gps spots for paint creek) or what not. Thanks!

-Josh-

[CrappiePappy]

Was planning on taking my dad down probably early to mid march for some crappie/bass fishing. Was wanting to get some tips or certain areas(spots) to fish, want him to have a good time(otherwise he won't go anywhere else with me besides the local lakes). This will be a trip I make once or twice a year, so its not like I will be in your spots, areas, etc...when you go there, if you help me out! I fish Paint creek lake, Rocky Fork Lake, Scioto River and Ohio River(Portsmouth area) religiously. Would be willing to trade spots(got gps spots for paint creek) or what not. Thanks!
-Josh-

Not being familiar with Cave Run lake, a trip there in March would be a shot in the dark. You'd be better served to wait and try it in late April to early May. It's a highland lake (clear water/cool water temps) and the spawning usually doesn't take place until later. I haven't fished it in quite a few years, but when I did ... and was successful ... it was past mid April. Backs of coves with standing timber, in water about 6-10ft deep, seemed to be the most consistant areas. I've never fished the "river" portion of it, so I'd be no help with that area.
If you can't get any info of use from here .... check out www.kentuckyangling.com and see if you can scare up some info there.
Site owner lives on Cave Run Lake and is more of a Musky/Bass man, so he might not mind putting you on some areas (in whatever timeframe you plan on being there). He can also point you in the right direction about places to stay, baitshops to check (for current reports), bait selection, fishing methods to use, etc. His name is Chris Erwin, and goes by the screen name of Trimmer308. (he's a upholstery trimmer by trade, I think)

I can name some creeks and areas that have produced for me, but I can't guarantee anything :p ... PM me.

... cp

[seeker]

For numbers, Caney creek straight across from Scotts creek ramp, and the timbered shoreline from caney to cave run creek. (Watch for bouys here and stay out of eagle nesting area) For bigger fish, the Licking River and Beaver Creek arms of the lake. Beware of submerged timber. Not kind to lower units.
In march the lake will usually be murky, but the bite will be started to some degree. Hope this helps
Seeker

[JKeeney20]

Thanks for all the info so far! I really appriciate it! Also, does anyone know where or if at all I can download a cave run lake map to my sd card for my gps. Thanks agian!

[fish-wva]

ever think about yatesville?

[Kristoffer]

Cave Run is my home lake, so I will give my two cents worth. Late March through mid-May are the best times to catch large numbers of Crappie on Cave Run, with mid-April to mid-May being the peek time. It all depends on the warming trends during that season. Last March my dad and I caught some really nice pre-spawn crappie in the Licking River, but a uncharacteristic warm front had moved in during early March and we were able to find the fish in shallow water around laydowns. These fish were not spawning yet, but were moving up shallow in search of bait fish and warmer water. If the temperatures are warm, I would suggest fishing in the Licking River around the Bangor area or in Beaver Creek close to Long Bow Marina. Both areas are full of both standing timber and laydowns that can be fished with slip floats and minnows or jigs tipped with minnows. We have our best luck early in the year on slip floats and live bait, but do catch some nice ones early on 1/8 oz. jigheads with red/white or red/chartreuse tubes. If the weather does not show a warming trend, you should be able to pick up some fish in those same areas fishing with a slip float and minnows around the main river channel or creek channel. You may catch fish anywhere from 8-18 feet deep. If the sun comes out, they usually move up in the water column. Late April is the best time to find the crappie shallow and spawning. Cave Run is full of shoreline cover and some very nice 11-15 inch crappie are caught during this time. Also, you can't beat the sound of Longbeards gobbling from the mountains surrounding the lake. Cave Run is known for its Muskie fishing, but some years the crappie fishing can be fantastic.

As for lake maps, Fishing Hotspots makes a map that is decent and it will indicate the hazards that are in the lake. Remember that Beaver Creek's running lane is marked by bouys, but the Licking River channel is not. The river can be a major hazard for those who don't know the running lane. Take it easy if you fish there. Message me again as your trip gets closer, and I should be able to give you a report, as we will start hitting it hard this month, weather permitting. Hopefully I can put you on some fish.

[kycreek]

Kristoffer. That is some good info. I've always wanted to try my hand crappie fishing in there. I live right below Maysville on the river and am only about an hour away. We used to go diving in Cave Run and always saw all kinds of crappie. I would like to try it later on this spring.

[gopreach]

Hey Fish-WVA,
Tell me more about Yatesville. I am a native of that area but I moved to NC about 8 years before the lake was impounded. I have recently moved back and now live in Lawrence County but I have never done any good crappie fishing there. I have caught a few nice bass but not a lot of those. It is a tough lake for me to fish for some reason. I would appreciate any info or advise about Yatesville!