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With surface temperatures climbing to the 86 to 87 degree range lately courtesy of the late June and early July heat wave the summer fishing scene is still going and giving up a few fish.

Wise are the anglers who realize their limitations and make adjustments. Yes it's hot out there and too hot at times.

Yet ther's always some fishermen on the front lines of battle when it comes to testing the water for a tug on the line.

Lately the productive time for catfishermen rolling along with the current; chunking and winding for bass anglers tossing a big crankbait on the main lake ledges and a few crappie anglers vertical fishing minnows around deep main lake structure has been the wee hours of the morning.

Best to rise and shine and hit the lake early. Actually, it's not too bad out there in the early morning when a light breeze is underway blended with a little cloud cover. By late morning or midday it's another ballgame!

Summer days lately on Kentucky Lake have separated the men from the boys. Pretty challenging out there when the wind stops and the sun bears down.

Daytime highs have been climbing to the 96 to 97 degree range around midday. Fishing isn't supposed to be an endurance test. However, that what it has been if you don't get up early with the chickens.

Lake levels are around the 359.7 range and have been relatively stable this week. TVA is pushing a little water through Kentucky Dam at a rate of 26,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). That's diminished slightly as of late but still enough to keep a slight flow going out there on the main channel area.

Anglers can check several websites to stay abreast of the current as it is subject to change throughout the day as well as vary from day to day.

Water color remains clear and anglers would actually prefer a little stain in the lake to filter that bright sun.

Mayflies hatches are underway and scattered across the river island rims and main lake shorelines. That's as much a part of a Kentucky Lake summer day as heat and humidity.

Both bass and bluegill can be seen feeding on the flies as they succumb to gravity's force, falling to the lake’s placid surface. A clumsy bounce from a red-wing black bird partaking of the flying feast stirs up the mayflies sending the fish on a feeding frenzy. At the blink of an eye they fall prey to hungry fish of all sorts.

Anglers can toss a cricket or small larva type grub beneath the shady willow canopies and have some fast action. It's worth the price of admission to witness a massive mayfly hatch, watching placid waters spring to life when a feeding frenzy erupts.

Catfish continue to display a feeding spree whenever current is present out in the main channel. TVA is pushing enough water most days to keep the bite going.

Without current the baitfish activity diminishes and the balls of shad aren't moving much to feed on plankton. However, with current comes increased feeding sprees as the catfish go on a prowl.

Despite the hot weather several anglers are reporting coolers full of catfish being caught. Depths of 35 to 50 feet are giving up blue and channel catfish.

Bait of choice continues to be nightcrawlers but chicken liver, cut bait and homemade concoctions such as hot dogs soaked in red colored Kool Aid and garlic have produced. So have several commercial stink baits from the local bait and tackle shops.

Best to keep those fish on ice this time of year to protect the flavor and avoid spoilage.

Bass fishermen are finding success on main lake sandbars as they toss big deep diving crankbaits in shad colored variations. Also working have been big Texas rigged worms in such colors as green pumpkin pepper, cotton candy, June bug with sparkles and Tequila Sunrise just to name a few.

Finesse baits are also working as are Carolina rigged worms plus jig and craw combinations.

There's always a few bass shallow even during hot weather as the pin minnows are up there hanging around blow downs, buck bushes and weedbeds.

Spinnerbaits, buzzsbaits, Texas rigged craws and worms plus topwater jerk baits will produce in the early morning and late afternoon hours of lowlight conditions.

Some night fishing is underway as fishermen attempt to beat the heat. Tossing a big bladed spinnerbait along rip-rap levees or steep banks has produced a few fish and some smallmouth at times. Sloping sandbars out near main riverbanks are also popular summer spots.

Crappie have been sluggish as the heat has no doubt been a factor. Some activity in the early morning hours in depths of 14 to 18 feet for anglers using live minnows.

Once the sun gets up at midmorning and bears down in the clear water conditions the bite diminishes. Cloud cover helps whenever it shows up.

A few fishermen are night fishing beneath bridges for white bass and stripers. Using floating lights the shad congregate on the down-current sides of bridge piers. Mayfly hatches also enhance the bite on summer nights.

Anglers are adjusting to a variety of hours in order to address the sweltering heat. Hang in there and pack lots of liquids in the ice box to stay hydrated.