I plan to try some crappie fishing, but will be after the bluegill, shellcrackers and yellow bass mostly. There are many places along kentucky lakes backwater where you and your family can fish. Yatesville lake will get a stocking of shellcrackers this year, making an already good bluegill lake even better as the years go by. Lake conditions lake cams fishing reports events calendar vacation rentals. Fishing kentucky lake with mark menendez the ultimate bass. Mark menendez rates kentucky lake as a fantastic yearround bass fishery. This 4,500acre lake is home to plenty of shell beds, jeff willitzer, biologist for the southwest region of the fl orida fish and wildlife conservation commission in wakeland, florida, explains. This usually doesnt do much for the crappie fishing but now is the time for bass in the shoreline cover and the yellow flowers. I went fishing for shellcracker at clarks hill the week after easter last year. Kentucky lake shell crackers last two years on the shell crackers i have done good with a 116 oz. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including paddlefish, breambluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass here. Learn about redear and their habitats on kentucky lake and lake barkley. We both wanted to go after them with our fly rods aka buggy whoppers as acey wall, deceased use to call my fly rod.
Malone is a good lake i hear heard theres some big ol largemouth bass in it. When the lake level is stable fishing is good, water rising fishing is great, as soon as they pull 1 outta that lake the fish get lock jaw. Shellcracker fishing tips sheelcracker fishing florida. Its been a good top water bite on kentucky lake, ive caught them on a lucky craft sammy and a gun fish 115 in shad patterns. Theres another two or three weeks of prime spawning time too. With travel restrictions still limiting fishing opportunities in many areas, we note that if youre headed out to fish all the regular regs for the season are still in place and social distancing orders. Ive been wanting to tap into the fall redear fishing over here on. Panfish are the focus on this weeks show as guesthost crispin powley probes spawning beds for kentucky lakes bluegill and shellcrackers. Fish for catfish near river channels or in dam tailwaters. Fishing report 91718 the fishing on kentucky lake is starting to pick up, of course the best bite has been early. Catfish anglers are catching some fish on cut bait and clam snouts. Steve mccadams is an experienced fishing guide on kentucky lake. Lake city fish market 834 us highway 62, grand rivers, kentucky 42045 rated 4. There are dozens of marinas and lake access points all along the shore plenty of room to enjoy a day of fishing at.
My personal experience has been first 2 years i went we went 1st week of may and we was always 1 or 2 weeks early on the shell crackers, so we started going the 2 week of may and we still seem to be a week early. Photos not taken from this source and not credited above are complete with the of the owner. Shellcracker and bream fishing robert webster of hamlet, nc who has a camper at the lake tillery family campground, adjacent highway 2427, has been keeping a watch on the fishing conditions for shellcrackers and bream. Every place i fish for them in the spring is high and dry now. The lake is clear, with visibilities of 15 to 20feet on the lower end.
We usually start fishing for them the first week or two. Cast out and reelem in at 10 fishing spots in kentucky. To book a day of bream fishing with bob latendresse, call 731 2200582. Covering over 250 square miles with over 2,000 miles of shoreline, it is the largest manmade lake east of the mississippi river. These are impressive numbers because theres no telling how many folks catch big fish and simply dont report. This is a great way to find bedding fish locations. Lake city fish market fish market grand rivers, kentucky. They find them, and catch over 100 bluegill in the process. The rich cumberland river impoundment has made this lake a destination for anglers near and far. Walking across the fossils themselves and casting off gives opportunity to catch aligator garr, catfish, bass, sunfish, bluegill, and more. Services include hunting, fishing, sonar, diving trips, bass fishing school, and more. May signals transition time for a variety of anglers.
Mini fishing report energy lake lbl the united states. Smith mountain lake bass fishing is fair, with most of. Bass fishing is a winner from the first mild days of spring well into late autumn. Whats going on with the fishing on kentucky lake updated. Ky lake fishing reports kentucky fishing report 2018. Our report contributors and their latest reports are below. Strong fighters, but more difficult to catch than most other sunfish. For the last seven years, lake tarpon has consistently produced large shellcrackers year round. Fish concentrate on dropoffs and creek channels during midday. Kentucky lake is the largest body of water located between the gulf of mexico and the great lakes. Barkleykentucky lake shell crackers and bluegill ohio game. Cast it out, let it sink to the bottom, and reel it back to the boat slowly. A few of the best lakes for catching trophy bass in spring are lake barkley, kentucky lake and lake. Providing the best hunting and fishing experiences in the kentucky lake region.
No more than 20 shell crackers per day and 15 crappie creel limit land between the lakes shoreline by gig only in accordance energy lake ky yearround, except western third open. It is all dependent on how far you cast out and the mood of the fish, but ive never left empty handed. Occoquan reservoir bass action is good, with most of the fish coming from main lake points and dropoffs. An official website of the commonwealth of kentucky. Try googling ky lake fishing reports there are a number of guides that report weekly on lake conditions,water temps,current best baits, etc. See lots more great fishing news and info at our web. Keep the line taught and the fish practically hook themselves. Redear bite continues as catfish stay on prowl explore kentucky. Fish move along main lake shorelines and into deeper bays. Apr 26, 2012 there are many places along kentucky lake s backwater where you and your family can fish. Fish for crappie along dropoffs with cover in 10 to 20 feet of water in. Most of other photos were taken from kentucky fish, a fish identification guide put out by the kentucky department of fish and wildlife resources. May 07, 2012 as these fish move to spawning areas, look for shell crackers in water up to 12 feet on points and at the heads of creeks.
Yearround 15 no size limit for spotted bass in tn 10 no wake. From video fishing tips to whats currently happening on kentucky lake and lake barkley, our fishing reports provide the most uptodate information from professional anglers across the lakes. It must have just the right mix to grow studly crackers. Spawn draws closer if you see a few kentucky lake crappie fishermen somewhat black and blue these days its because theyve been beat up by a nasty spring and stubborn fish. The head of some creeks may have visibilities of less than 5feet. Renowned for its crappie fishing, lake barkley has two predominate seasons, spring and fall. There are dozens of marinas and lake access points all along the shore plenty of room to enjoy a day of fishing at kentucky lake and lake barkley. Kentucky lake crappie fishing 1 pole jig fishing crappie action guide service both crappie and those who fish for them confused.
May, 2017 panfish are the focus on this weeks show as guesthost crispin powley probes spawning beds for kentucky lake s bluegill and shellcrackers. Same pattern, but better action from sunrise to 9 a. I am new to the area and loved fishing for shell cracker on kentucky lake this time of year, they are some fine eating and fight like crazy. Here youll discover hardfighting smallmouth bass kentucky is home to the world record smallmouth, striped bass, blue catfish, shellcrackers, muskellunge, crappie and more. Ky lake fishing reports learn what the fish are biting on before purchasing the bait, since the bait stores will sell you exactly what they have as opposed to supplying the bait the fish are eating.
Finding a nesting area usually means finding many pairs, and the fishing can be fast and furious. Kentucky lakes bluegill and shellcracker, known biologically as redear sunfish, are spawning and nice ones, like this dandy taken by guy harris of mount juliet, are showing up in good numbers. Also lake beshear was good to me last time i fished it in the fall few years back we got drawed for the pennyrile quota hunt an decided to go down a day early an do some fishing. Some are in the back of coves, in the middle of floating brush, limbs, and. Anglers that learn how to adapt to clearer water and displaced fish and learn the new behaviors of game fish on this lake will be way ahead on a new curve. Ive caught them on a lucky craft sammy and a gun fish 115 in shad patterns. Local anglers report the largemouth bass bite as good. Fishing at the falls can be an amazing experience as there are so many unique spots. He has lived, fished, and hunted on and around kentucky lake for more than 40 years.
Every place i fish for them in the spring is high and dry now 11282017, 07. Always abundant, bluegill and the related redear sunfish or shellcrackers in recent seasons have. With an average depth of only 9 feet, kentucky lake is a mecca for bass anglers who love to fish shallow. Had a great time with guide jim doom from between the rivers guide service. Welcome to, featuring regularly updated kentucky lake fishing reports as well as lake barkley fishing reports.
These lakes produce some of the best bass fishing in the united states. Theres another two or three weeks of prime spawning time too so grab a friend and head on out. Fish for crappie and largemouth and smallmouth bass 3 to 10 feet of water. Whether you are heading out for a brisk february afternoon of fishing for crappie and black bass or enjoying a latesummer evening of bluegill fishing, our kentucky lake fishing reports give you what you need to know. If you have kids, this is one of the best ways to introduce them to fishing. Largemouth in the 8pound range help make kentucky lake one of the nations top bass waters. We have all the ultra light equipment and artificial baits for you that it takes to catch your limit of shell cracker, you just need a fishing license and a few snacks. Although we caught only a few fish on that trip since it was too early, it did bring back memories of how much fun bream fishing can be. For kentucky fish and wildlife resources latest covid19 updates click here. The shellcracker is not a fish that likes to be right against the bank.
These fish are being taken by vertically fishing with small jigs and minnows. Fishing is a popular activity for people visiting state parks because so many are located alongside a lake or stream. The first places i look for when fishing for redear, are the pea gravel banks on main lake points. I have seen a lot of shad shallow and the bass have been right there with them. In kentucky, its possible to catch three species of trout then trailer your boat a short distance to tie into. The lily pads and shell bars are producing the most fish. Ky,barkley lake bluegill, shellcracker, yellow bass. Now is the time to strike a trot to the lake and wet. Now is the time to strike a trot to the lake and wet a hook for these babies. I hope everyone is having a good week, and i hope everyones thumb is as scuffed as mine. Make sure you check out the new fishing forecast cheat sheet located at the end of. Eastern kentucky fishing report kentuckyangling news.
If bluegill and shellcrackers collectively known as bream routinely grew. Find some of these and get into fish like never before. Heres an archived kentucky lake fishing report from published on may 8, 2019. While i would go early, or late to avoid the crowd the fish were very active. Shelldivers guide service and luckys premier buck, duck and turkey outfitter service can meet all your outdoor needs. Shell cracker fishing fish lake guntersville guide service. November to midmarch fishing success is rated fair. These fish have been caught within inches of the shoreline where there is wood structure and on small points along rocky shorelines. Shellcracker fishing tips and information on shellcracker fishing in florida on some of the top lakes in the country. Tasty little fish can fill your freezer quickly theres no limit on how many. With a combined 218,000 acres of water, these lakes are known for excellent fishing for largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, redear, and yellow and white bass.
Very deep lake if i am thinking of the same one he was on. Kincaid lake largemouth bass fishing quality assessment note. Those inclined might find great catches even in the winter. You can access steves previous fishing reports in our fishing report archives. Kenny is now a premier guide for bass, crappie, bluegill, shell crackers, and catfish. The placement of secret brush piles by private parties is a kentucky lake tradition. I was wondering if clarks hill, russell or hartwell have any good shell cracker fishing or even bream fishing for that matter. A valid kentucky fishing license is required and you must go online at. Kentucky lake may fishing report paris landing area of. If theres fish around, they will nail your bait instantly. Fishing kentucky lake with mark menendez the ultimate. For more information on fishing license requirements and exemptions, follow the link to the fishing and boating guide. By writing fishing reports, he informs the public about the most up to date fishing information, tips, and events.
A member of the national fresh water fishing hall of fame and legends of the outdoors, steve mccadams is a professional guide and outdoor writer from paris, tenn. Here you can get the most current information regarding the fishing scene at the lakes. May, 20 bluegill saturday, we nearly filled an ice chest with bluegill and a few shell crackers. The 160,309acre lake is one of the largest impoundments. By writing fishing reports, he informs the public about the most up to date fishing.
Kentucky lake kentucky fishing reports, lake levels, weather. Bedding time at hand for bluegillshellcracker outdoors. Steves reports cover kentucky lake from paris landing to new johnsonville. The first anglers to figure it out, will run roughshod in tournaments for a while here. Bluegill, shellcracker bite is best on kentucky, barkley.
Dale hollow bluegillshell crackers kentucky hunting. Join us as we discuss the kentucky fishing license options, fishing rules and. Kenny is the bass fishing coach for bethel university and the executive vice president of the american collegiate anglers scholarship team trail college bass trail. Instead this is a fish that likes to be in deeper water. Come join the best family orientated fishing website on the internet. That were entering a new phase of fishing on this lake. Carr creek lake largemouth bass fishing quality assessment note. I fished ky last year in april for two weeks and am leaving on the 16th for two more weeks. Call 180025alert to report fish and wildlife violations. Some parks have loaner programs that offer guests free fishing tackle to use and if you want to get out on the water, plus its easy to find a marina that offers boat rentals. I had the opportunity to get on the water a few times over the holiday weekend.
This is modern day bream fishing using gps coordinates to locate the fish. Ky,barkley lake bluegill, shellcracker, yellow bass need to know if anyone has targeted the other panfish in the lakes lately. Last year, we caught most of our fish on shakey head worms, pumpkin and pumpkinchart. The ohio river is beginning to get back to normal levels. Catching bluegill and shellcracker on kentuckhy lake. Fishing kentucky lake with mark menendez a seasonal approach to fishing kentucky year round for trophy bass. Spinnerbaits, plastic worms and crankbaits are the better choice for baits. I really like the yellow bass to eat if i can get some size. Improving, watch for breaking fish in the mouths of creeks. Jug fishing permitted from oct 1 to mar 21, with limits of 10 jugs per person. We also caught a few bluegills on the dam about 10ft from the banks.
The redear does not readily take artificial lures but is easily taken on natural baits. Together, kentucky lake and lake barkley form the largest body of water between the great lakes and the gulf of mexico. Larry bell spends a few days each spring devoted to catching redears. We have several professional fishing guides who provide reports on a regular basis. This is a perfect time to take a kid fishing and have a ball while youre doing it. Barkleykentucky lake shell crackers and bluegill discussion in.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the rss 2. Youll find an amazing diversity of fish in kentucky. Kentucky lake shell crackers fishing reports, articles. A freeflowing canal connects the lakes near the dams at grand rivers. Barkleyky lake has come on strong the last ten years with their cracker population. They caught 8 fish total in 4 hours, mixed bag of bass, crappie, bluegill and a redeye. Need to know if anyone has targeted the other panfish in the lakes lately. Well share all of our favorite places to fish in kentucky from topnotch lake fishing to actionpacked river fishing. Fishing for bluegill and shellcracker in the peak of the spawn is one of them. Any angler can fish without a fishing license on the free fishing days that take place the first weekend in june june 34, 2017. Kentucky department of fish and wildlife resources, fisheries.
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