Heads up on Ky and Barkley Lakes Levels.

First off I want to warn anyone planning on fishing Barkley in the next week to BE CAREFUL! I'm on the boat right now and running the Cumberland. There is a TREMENDOUS amount of BIG DRIFT in the lake right now and more coming!

Here's what I see hap'n in the next week or so...

If you watch the news you're well aware that there's some major flooding going on in the Ohio river system. Many of the Locks and Dams are all out right now and gauges are steadily rising. Cairo is predicted to go to 40' by Friday. 40' is the action level where the USCOE takes over control of Ky Dam. Presently Kentucky is dumping pretty hard. In the coming days I suspect the COE to start cutting back on the flow rates at Ky and Barkley Dams. Both the Tn. and Cum. River systems have a lot of water coming down. Due to an ongoing seismic study at Pickwick Dam I don't expect them to try and hold much extra water so Ky and Barkley MAY start coming up quick and continue up till the Cairo gauge settles down some.

Now... What does this mean for me as a crappie fisherman?

I've seen this happen this time of yr over and over throughout the yrs. Warm temps + rising water = shallow fish! Don't think just cause the water's still cold that the fish won't run up shallow. It only takes a degree or 2 difference in water temps this time of yr and some extra water to pull those fish into the thinner water. Especially the Black Crappie. If you don't check it you're missing out.

If the water gets up above Summer Pool concentrate your efforts around feeder creeks and the edges of flooded brush. The rising water will also help settle out the muddy water so get ready! The MINUTE the water starts falling start working your way back out to deeper water till you locate fish. They may be suspended high in the water column depending on water color. As the water temps stabilize more in the bays the fish may also chose to move back out.

Hope this helps. It's fix'n ta be ON!!!

Tight lines folks.

Info is very much appreciated Mr. Wiskers!!

Thank ya.

Wiskers, thanks for sharing. Bringing an old friend down next week. We are both getting older and with friends bad health may not be too many more trips. You may have made some great memories for us. We had some awesome days many years ago but have not been on the water together for 7 years. BTW, never crappie fished the lakes but get together with a local to do some bassin now and then.

Wiskers,

Thanks a bunch I'm headed to Johnathan Creek 3/21-27, and I've started keeping up with the lake conditions it helps to get your on the spot updates. Hopefully things will be settling down next Saturday and I can have a good week.

Good report Terry. I have been on both Ky. & Barkley the last few days and the water is very muddy on Barkley and Ky. is very stained . Lots of debris on Barkley with 45.6 surface temp and Ky. 43.8 The temps have been a little behind so far this year. The fish are very scattered right now with some better fish in 28 fow. Lots of current have them holding tight to the breaks and drops. One thing that is of concern right now are the very low levels of the lakes. They have been trying to get some capacity built up and they have a lot of gates open on both lakes. I am seeing stuff I have not seen in a while like stumps sticking up in the middle of Ky. Lake. Be careful and watch the channel markers if you have not been on these lakes. Of course a PFD is a good idea if you hit something doing 60!! It will get better soon with a few days of sunshine and the blacks start moving back in. Can't wait much longer.

Like I said on Facebook my man ... You're the BEST!

I can tell you while out on the lake Monday putting out stake beds the amount of debris in the lake reminded me of the flood we had just a few years back. I can't imagine what it is like now that we have over 165,000 CFS flowing in and 140,000 CFS flowing out.

Wiskers, Great Report, Little River Area of Barkley Muddy, Muddy and more mud. I agree with you about the water I think it has no choice but to go up and fast. Looking forward to the water coming up some. Buck Brush was pretty productive last year once the water went deep. One last comment, to all my fellow fisherman, please, please, please do not encroach on you fellow fisherman, there plenty of water to fish. As usual we will hear about the rudeness in due time on this board.

Nice report
One other thing, if a cold front comes in the fish will also have a tendency to back off those banks and suspend over deeper water especially with the muddy water.
Don't be surprised to find fish just a few feet deep over 10-12fow.