Kentucky lake Spring crappie

[00buckhunting]

Can anybody give me some info for spring crappie fishing. good times and maybe some genral locations. as well as some place to check about staying at. Thanks for any help

[CrappiePappy]

Can anybody give me some info for spring crappie fishing. good times and maybe some genral locations. as well as some place to check about staying at. Thanks for any help

Haven't been to either lake, in quite a few years, so my experiences wouldn't be of much benefit. Never fished KY Lake, near as much as I did Barkley, either. KY Lake's dynamics have changed since I was there ... grass is back, water is clearer, and the Black Crappie are present in greater % numbers.

Read all of this : Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources - Kentucky Lake - Crappie Movement Study ... it's about as good a starting point as I can provide.

I'm sure that some of the KY Lake angling members will provide you with some personal experience/opinion information ... just give them a few days to read your post.

... cp

[pistolpete]

I haven't fished there in a few years but here is the place to start

Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, and Land Between the Lakes

The first thing you have to ask yourself is are you going to stay on the lake and are you willing to cook or will you have to have a restaurant close by. When you can answer those questions send me a pm and I'll see if I can steer you in the right direction.

[CatFan]

Time-wise, the last week of March and first two weeks of April is a good bet. No guarantees, but those are the best over the years.

Location and where to stay will take a little more info from you. Most newcomers don't realize how big the lake is. You need to decide what part of the lake you are going to, and give us some info about your boat (or if you plan to rent) to get the best recommendations. Lodging ranges from primitive cabins to fairly nice resorts.

Since you posted in the KY forum, I'll assume you are looking at the KY portion of the lake. Check out Marshall County Accommodations - Hotels and Motels and Kentucky Lake & Lake Barkley Accommodations for starters.

[crappiemax]

It just doesn't get much better than a spring trip to Ky Lake. I've gone there any of the first 3 weeks in April (I try to pick the best due to weather or water conditions)and have had good trips. I like to camp at Hillman Ferry so it's easy to change weeks with little notice, I don't have to worry about motel resevations. I guess on average I've go the second week most years.
Like CatFan says, it's a big lake. The good part is there's good fishing on lots of the lake.

[CrappiePappy]

Time-wise, the last week of March and first two weeks of April is a good bet. No guarantees, but those are the best over the years.
Location and where to stay will take a little more info from you. Most newcomers don't realize how big the lake is. You need to decide what part of the lake you are going to, and give us some info about your boat (or if you plan to rent) to get the best recommendations. Lodging ranges from primitive cabins to fairly nice resorts.
Since you posted in the KY forum, I'll assume you are looking at the KY portion of the lake. Check out Marshall County Accommodations - Hotels and Motels and Kentucky Lake & Lake Barkley Accommodations for starters.

When I used to go to Barkley ... it was always around the 21st of April. But, take into account that I was fishing around the dam area of Barkley Lake, and fishing the buck brush for bedding White Crappie
Now that the specie percentages have changed, and the Black Crappie are becoming more dominant in numbers ... earlier could be more productive (see the "Movement Study" link)

And, knowing "where" on KY Lake you're going to concentrate your efforts, would give us a better idea of what places you might want to look into staying at. Also, it would help to know exactly what type of lodging you're interested in.

... cp

[speckfinder]

If you can go on short notice early March can be good for big fish. Keep an eye on weather forecast and water temp. If water temp is low 50's or warmer the whites will stage on brushpiles 8'-12' water. If you vertical jig this will be the hardest bites of the year.

[00buckhunting]

Time wise i have to set weekend now, place to stay can be two ways one would be bring r campers or the other is find a place two stay like enough room for 5 to 6 guys willing to cook not eat out. like small trailer or house. thats what we did down at the foot last year. work out pretty good, I not sure if were coming to kentucky or reelfoot yet. If we bring r campers will stay at canal campground if the open when we came down.

Thanks