Kentucky Lake Crappie Fishing?

Hello,
I would like to take a trip in early spring for some good crappie fishing. I live in Pennsylvania, and have been thinking of going to Kentucky Lake. I figured I'd ask the guys who live there. Who offers the best packages, (room, bait, and such, as well as boat rentals?) as I'll not tow my boat, and may even fly. Just looking for some good advice. What is about the best month for a trip in that area? Any help would be appreciated, as I have to turn in my vacation by the 16th of Jan. I don't think I need a guide, as I do ok here in pa. Thanks Don

I know a few crappie pro's that go every year to KY lake for their monster slabs. I asked them the same questions and they all said go around the 2nd-3rd week of April. So thats when I'm heading down. ABout the lodging,etc...not real sure who is cheapest, sorry

TN or KY?

Dj,
I fish the Kentucky side of Ky Lake on the north end. Fishing for me starts good around the 2nd to 3rd week of March (the blacks really start hitting good then) and continues on thru April depending on the weather and lake levels. For the past 5 years or so, the weather has been better in March than April. We start to get our heavy rainfall in the begining of April and if it's too bad, the lake rises and the fish scatter. My recomendation would be between the 3rd and last week of March depending on your schedule. There is also less boat traffic then. It really picks up on the last week of March and first week of April. You can go back thru the history of this forum and see when people report their better catches. If you decide to fish further south, (Blood River or Big Sandy) they tend to start a little earlier than we do on the North end. Hope this helps!

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Originally Posted by JKeeney20

I know a few crappie pro's that go every year to KY lake for their monster slabs. I asked them the same questions and they all said go around the 2nd-3rd week of April. So thats when I'm heading down. ABout the lodging,etc...not real sure who is cheapest, sorry

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I've been fish'n Ky. Lake (North end) for about 40 years now. 20/25 years ago... Yep 2nd week of april would work. But... now days with the black crappie take'n over, you're gonna be a day late & a $ short and miss'n out on some good fish'n. Spawn is whinding down these days by 3rd week of April for sure. I would look at the last 2 weeks of March/1st week of April at the latest. Really depends on how you like to fish though. And the weather plays a major part. 2008 was kinda screwed up. High water & one cold front after another.

Just my 2 cents. Go to KentuckyLake.com - Your Source for all your Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley & Land Between the Lakes needs! and sign into the forum. Post your question to Oldguide. He guides and can give you some good info on lodging, fish'n and such.

Thanks for the info guys, I'll be checking back, as much info on fishing a new lake is very helpful. I'll check the links and post to Oldguide. Thanks Don.

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Originally Posted by DJD3

Thanks for the info guys, I'll be checking back, as much info on fishing a new lake is very helpful. I'll check the links and post to Oldguide. Thanks Don.

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it would be a good idea to read thru this entire study (all three sections) :Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources - Kentucky Lake - Crappie Movement Study .... if nothing else, it will confirm what these other members are saying. But, more importantly, it will give you a better understanding of the situation these lakes are now in, and what that means to the anglers of today. It could also influence where you decided to lodge, since you would obviously want to be staying at a facility that was as close to the area you intended to fish, as possible.
I can tell you about all the trips I made to KY/Barkley Lakes ... 20 to 30 years ago ... and how I slayed'em in the last week of April, fishing the dam ends of both lakes. But, times have changed, and these dates and the methods I used back then ... probably won't insure your success would equal mine.

If I were you, I'd hope for a "normal" Spring weather & water condition scenario .... but, be prepared for it to be anything BUT normal ;)
The reason I say this is, the last two Springs have been anything but normal. I usually go to E. Tenn & fish Watts Bar during mid April .. expecting the Black Crappie to be moving to the beds, and schooling under the deeper water docks ... with the White Crappie following suit, a couple of weeks or so later. Seeing as how the weather hasn't been following a normal pattern, during that timeframe ... the past two Springs have found me targeting White Crappie, on submerged brush in 10-12ft of water, and actively spawning :eek: And it would appear that I missed the Black Crappie movement, completely. Not that I have anything against catching White Crappie :D ... but, it does reflect on how the two species differ in their spawning habits, as far as timing and the conditions needed by them to get them actively moving shallow.

Hope you have a safe and productive trip ... and take lots of pics ;) to share with the members of this board/site.

.. luck2ya ... cp :cool:

Wiskers is correct. Everything he says is right on! I recommend the same web site and the same guide. I do think the first day you should invest in a guide. This is one big ole body of water and can be very dificult to figure out. Some of the better bays are Pisgah, Big Bear, and Jonathan. Good fishing. THE BANDIT

The Jonathan Creek Area of Kentucky Lake is my favorite. Call Sportsman's Lodge 1-800733-6716. This is a full functioning lodge and marina. Good People and you can get a guide or rent a boat and motor. Jonathan Creek is a finger 3 miles to the West of Kentucky Lake, about a mile wide. I you choose to go into the main lake you better have a good map.

I have heard that there was some problems with watts bar from coal or something , Hope that does kill off to many fish. Just my 2 cents worth Sportsman lodge is a nice place to stay on Johnathan creek , I ve stayed there everyfhing you need is there to go fishing just a walk over the hill . Fine people , cleaning station, gas , Near the end of march is good . I went out with Old Guide , good man , and he will help you any way he can , the main lake gets shallow so you should do some investigating before you try to go out their. You can usually catch lots of fish in johnathan creek.

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Originally Posted by howferg

I have heard that there was some problems with watts bar from coal or something , Hope that doesn't kill off too many fish.

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You're quite right, Howferg ... the coal sludge retention pond that collapsed was up around the river end of Watts Bar. It would be somewhere between Kingston Tn & Harriman TN, on the Emory River. The Emory is ONE of the rivers that empties into Watts Bar Lake. The "main" river that makes up Watts Bar, is the Tenn River. Haven't heard anything about a "fish kill", but that would be secondary news compared to the contamination aspect, so it might never even be checked on/reported. The increase in arsenic concentration, in the water, from the coal dust ... is the biggest concern, currently (well, as far as the lake & water table is concerned). The lake already has PCB problems. Consumption advisories and signs around the lake ... all point to Catfish & Black Bass as the fish to avoid, or eat sparingly. Haven't seen Crappie included in any of the Consumption Advisories for Watts Bar ... but, I will be checking on it, nonetheless ;)

... cp :cool:

Hey CP,
Please be sure and keep us posted on the Bar.
We saw some nasty pictures (on TV) of that Kingston scene. Hope they take good care of all those people who lost their homes etc.
Catch-U-Lat'r
Bob

I didn't know it was that bad at watts bar , our thoughts and preyers go out to all the locals there .