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Any advise on when to come down for the spring spawn? Would like to stay in a 3 bedroom cabin, nothing special just a place to sleep but in the woods. Close to a boat ramp would be nice too. Thanks been looking on line but just wanted to see what you said
Check King Creek, they have a boat ramp and several cabins with 2-3 bedrooms but I'm unsure of winter operating hours.
Good luck
zeilerj, I see you've not gotten a reply on the time for the 'spawn'. Just my opinion, late March through April is the 'prime' time for the 'Crappie' spawn. Me, personally, I like May. The Bluegill/Shellcracker fishing is good and there is still some late Crappie 'Spawn'. On where to stay, I agree with MRDUX. I've never stayed at the Sportsman Lodge, but have fished out of there. If you stay there, you are right on the lake, ramp right there and a fully stocked marina with a really nice fish cleaning station. Also, fishing is very good nearby the marina. I did stay at a place near the Sportsman Lodge two years ago, and was happy with both the rates and the rooms. It's about 3 miles from Sportsman Marina. The name of the place is Early American Motel. (www.earlyamericanmotel.com). You DO NOT have daily room service, but if you need anything they will give it to you on a daily basis. Towels, linens, soap and they have an Ice cooler that you can get bags of Ice (You can 'contribute' for the cost at the cooler if you want) They also have a fish cleaning facility on site.
There’s no way to determine the “spawn”. It is determined by water temperature but can last a couple of weeks to several weeks. Black crappie spawn earlier than whites.
Our spring water levels are determined by a government group who could care less if we even have a crappie in the lake. That is a huge part of why we have had poor spawns 3 of the last 5 years.
I get folks each year trying to pin me down to tell them when the spawn will be. Many think it is an event that lasts 3 days and no crappie can be caught before or after. Your best bet is watch the long range forecast for temperature AND wind. KY and Barkley lakes can be deadly when winds get much above 10mph for the average boater.
In the time frame approaching when the spawn should take place, I and several other guides post fishing reports on KyLake.com and explorekylake.com.
Crappie here will spawn in water temps from high 50s to 70. You’ll have plenty of time to plan.
Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com
Not even the Great Karnack (I showed my age there) can predict the spawn but I never fish shallow anyway. Fish move to deeper bays to spawn and eat while staging deep. They move up in waves then come back out to deep water to feed up before heading to main lake. Those are my target fish. They usually spawn midway between March and end of April usually tho. Places to stay.. Lodging, Etc. - www.kicknbass.net
Been going there for 32 of the last 33 years. Covid restrictions stopped me last spring. My favorite weeks to come are the last week of March going into April for the black crappies and the second week of April going into the third week for the whites.Always have a fun time there. Always have a hard time leaving for home. Some years I’ve gone back in mid May and enjoyed the bluegill and red ear bite too. Being retired now, I have the luxury of staying a month or more. Worked all my life to be able to do this. I thank God I’m able.
zeilerjr, here's some more unsolicited advice from me. If you and your group are coming to Ky lake for more than a couple days and you've never been on this lake before(including Barkley), HIRE a guide. I would schedule this the 1st full day you are there. Ky and Barkley are somewhat dangerous to navigate, regardless of water levels unless you know how to navigate the channel markers. The guide will be able to inform and help you with this along with the following. They can let you know what's currently working and not working as far as fishing, both general areas and baits/rigs to use. They can give you advice on 'Bays' or areas to fish when windy conditions come when you are there based on the wind direction. They can also point out or give you directions to the good distribution of 'Stake Beds' in some of the Bays if you choose to fish them. I think it would be money well spent. Don't know how many in your group, but most guides can take out at least 3 customers. Good Luck on your trip!