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Hey folks, planning on making an early spring trip to one of either Ky or Barkley. I have never been on either lake and was wondering which would be better for a first timer? We'll be there for 2-3 days and fishing out of a 17 ft grizzly, so looking for an easy travel. I'm not looking for your honey holes just a general area with short travel time. Thanks
Where are you staying? Lots of ramps around both lakes but need to know where you will be closest to. Barkley is better suited to a shallow water structure fishermen. Ky is better suited to a troller or deeper structure fishermen. Both lakes are huge and you need to keep that in mind when wind is predicted.
Not to derail the thread but I have a somewhat related question. Will the fish stay in a large area like the Little River section of Barkley year round or do most end up out in the main lake at some point of the year? I guess what I mean, if someone wouldn't want to venture out on the main lake could they still find fish year round?
We were planning on staying at Eddy Bay and fishing out of there but really don't have any set plans. I like that you say Barkley is more suited for shallow water fishermen. Never fished big water before so this is all new to me.
YesQuote:
Originally Posted by Slow Retrieve
I spend some time with a life long buddy on both lakes but mostly Barkley. When I look over the lake from his boat I am overwhelmed with the sheer size of lakes. The Blood and Little Rivers appear to be larger than the lakes we have in Indiana. Also amazing is that you can be in 35 fow then 3 fow in an instant. I don't always catch fish but do enjoy the scenic views and wildlife of these lakes and the friendly people. Once the water temps come up you should find fish in every bay.
Be very careful on these lakes! I fish Barkley mostly but have had some close calls on both lakes due to wind or running shallow especially on Barkley at winter pool.
As a fulltime resident on Barkley, Yes you can catch crappie all year in and around the Little River Area. My neighbors boy fishes every month of the year, actually does better sometimes in the winter months, then others, he is a fishing machine!! There a so many factors with Spring Fishing, Water level, Temp, Corp raising and lowering lake, cold fronts, you name it. The weather can change on a dime in the Spring. I agree with mrdux. Barkley I think is a little easier to fish, imho. There is plenty of structure out in the lake that has been dropped, take your time and you will find it. If it is dropped, it is public, even those I have dropped. I always suggest doing a map recon of the lake. Look at the contour lines, channels, bends, drop offs and I think you can do pretty good. If you are not familiar with the lake DO NOT run outside the channel markers unless you know the lake!!! It is Feast or Famine at times.
Thank YouQuote:
Originally Posted by Wiskers
The 35 to 3 foot comment is spot on.
Little River is a good place to try as well. We fish Donaldson some without going out on the main lake but even the bays get rough with wind in the right direction. I like to cast so it doesn't take much wind to make it not fun.