Kentucky lake, ky lake, lake Barkley, land Between the Lakes, Lake temps, lake conditions, fishing reports, fishing guides, ky lake lodging, Lake Barkley accommodations, west ky, Ky dam, crappie fishing, bass fishing, bluegill, TVA, Kentucky lake online, LBL, lake resorts, ky lake marina,
Kentucky Dam creates the largest manmade
lake in the eastern United States. It backs up the Tennessee River for 184
miles and creates a lake that stretches south across the western tip of
Kentucky and nearly the entire width of Tennessee. At maximum normal operating
level, Kentucky Lake covers 160,300 acres.
More important than the project's size are the jobs it performs. Kentucky Dam
is the spigot that TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) uses to help control
floods on the lower Ohio and Mississippi rivers; it is the gateway to the
Tennessee River waterway and is a major generating plant in the TVA power
system.
Kentucky Lake is a magnet for vacationers and fishermen from a wide area of
mid- America, with recreation use amounting to some 17 million visits each
year. Along its nearly 2400 miles of cove-studded shoreline are many boat
docks and resorts, 4 state parks, the Tennessee National Wildlife refuge, 48
public access areas, 2 county parks, 5 municipal parks, 2 state wildlife
management areas, 10 group camps and clubs, 92 commercial recreation areas,
and 3 small wildlife areas. If you are the outdoors type, you might as well
just move here if you want to experience it all! The Kentucky Lake Region is a
beautiful area with gorgeous scenery, a lot of history and miles of water for
boating, fishing, canoeing and lazy days of just drifting on a tube in one of
the largest man-made lakes in the U.S! Of course, no trip here is complete
without visiting Land Between the Lakes (aka, LBL) with its 300 miles of
shoreline, 170,000 acres of forest and 200 miles of trails for biking, hiking,
wildlife viewing, camping and OHV. Then there is racing, train rides, water
parks, horseback riding, camping and some great golf courses!
Looking to move indoors after too much fun in the sun? Paducah is a great
place to go! Being a very unique, quaint river town, Paducah offers an
abundance of events, festivals, museums, antiques, Quilts, shopping, art
galleries, history, entertainment, nightlife and the famous Historic
Riverfront and Floodwall Murals. Don't miss out on a trip downtown and stroll
along tree-lined streets and brick sidewalks past turn-of-the-century
buildings filled with antiques & quilt shops, boutiques, coffee and specialty
shops, one-of-a-kind restaurants and more.
Or maybe you just need to relax after a long day on the lake or shopping, so
come relax with a massage, sauna or whirlpool at Ginkgo Garden Natural Healing
& Wellness Center
Antiques, antiques, antiques.... when you are an area rich in history, you are
rich in antiques. For the collectors that enjoy days of browsing, the Kentucky
Lake Region offers an abundance of shops and markets.
One of the largest man-made lakes in the U.S., Kentucky Lake starts at the dam
and travels south to Pickwick Lake Dam, some 180 miles and 2400 miles of
shoreline from head to tail water. If you are a bass fisherman, you will be in
"Hawg Heaven", (no pun intended). Spring begins with the spawn which gets
under way in early April and usually runs through mid May. This brings about
some of the best flipping in the country for the fishermen who like shallow
water. The summer months (June thru August) is time to move out to the ledges
where most post spawn fish migrate. Fishing in ten to twenty five feet of
water can produce bass that, guides say, can break your arm. Believe it, three
to seven pounders are not uncommon. Late May and Early June also marks the May
Fly mating period, during this time fishing for anything is excellent near May
Fly hatcheries. So be on the lookout for those May Flies!! Fall makes for some
the most exciting top water fishing in the world. Baits such as Zara Spook,
Pop R's, prop baits and buzz baits will keep you wondering if the next strike
might be a world record.
Crappie fishing begins in March and usually remains hot through May. Using
minnows and jigs, fish deep brush piles (18' to 20') until they begin their
move toward shallow water for spawn. This takes place around the first of
April through mid May. With plenty of shallow structure all along the shore
line, it should make for some of the largest stringers you've ever caught and
the best fish you've ever tasted.
