May 9-15, Fishing Report for Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley

On May 9, the elevation of Kentucky Lake was 363.5 feet and the surface water temperature was 66 degrees.  The elevation of Lake Barkley was 363.5 feet and the surface water temperature was 65 degrees.  Summer pool for both lakes is 359 feet and winter pool is 354 feet.  (To check daily elevations and projected levels of Kentucky Lake call 1-800-238-2264, lake #33.)

CRAPPIE: Crappie fishing is fair on Kentucky Lake. Some crappies have been taken on Kentucky Lake using live minnows fished on creek ledges in 10 to 20 feet of water. Other crappies are being taken inside the creeks at rocky points and on fallen logs near the shore using jigs under a bobber in 3 to 6 feet of water.

BASS: Smallmouth fishing is fair on Kentucky Lake using jigs or crank baits fished at creek mouth or main lake points. Largemouth fishing is good using spinner baits, plastic lizards, worms, or jigs fished in the green brush near the shore. Other bass can be taken on creek mouth points on medium diving crank baits.

BLUEGILL: Bluegill fishing is good to excellent on Kentucky Lake using red worms or crickets fished in front of the green leafy brush in 4 to 6 feet of water near the shore.

WHITE BASS: White and yellow bass fishing is fair to good on both lakes. Some whites and yellows are being taken at the creek mouths in 10 to 20 feet of water. Other white bass can be found on the humps near the river channel in 15 to 25 feet of water.

SAUGER: Sauger fishing is fair on Kentucky Lake using live minnows fished on the bottom in 15 to 25 feet of water at creek mouths.

CATFISH: Catfish fishing is fair to good on Kentucky Lake using night crawlers or cut bait fished in 20 to 30 feet of water on the main lake and at creek mouths. Some good numbers of channel cats are being taken in the flooded brush on night crawlers and red worms.

FISHING TIP: Good numbers of bass, bluegill, and catfish are being taken in the flooded brush near the shore on Kentucky Lake. Some bluegill are starting to spawn in front of the submerged brush in 3 to 6 feet of water.

NOTES: A taped telephone report is available by dialing 270-924-2000. A weather forecast is available by dialing 270-744-6331.

Mention of specific products in this report does not represent an endorsement by the USDA Forest Service.