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You know Kentucky Lake's summer fishing scene is in full swing once the mayflies begin to hatch. Recently, this natural phenomenon emerged along the shady shorelines, providing a buffet for just about every species of fish that swims these waters.

Summer officially arrives on the calendar June 21, yet the fishing scene seems to have already hit that mode a week or two earlier. Hot weather last week sent a humid reminder that spring is now in the rearview mirror.

Lake levels this week across the reservoir were still holding several inches above the normal summer pool of 359. Elevation as of this report was posted showed the lake still up a bit with a reading of 359.8. Water color remains clear.

Surface temperatures have risen to the 82 to 83 degree range. That reflects several consecutive days and nights of hot weather across the region.

Anglers had to dodge several thunderstorms recently that drenched some areas and sent anglers running for shelter. When heat and humidity team up at midday it doesn’t take long for a thunder boomer to form.

In the aftermath of some heavy rains current out on the main Tennessee River channel has returned. TVA was pushing over 69,000 cfs (cubic feet per second) through Kentucky Dam as this report was posted.

Increased flow has stimulated the catfish bite to rapidly rebound out along the riverbank. Some dandy stringers were taken the last few days as the increased flow spurred additional movement of baitfish.

Once the current increases so does movement of big balls of shad that are out there feeding on the plankton and algae moving throughout the water column. Catfish know it as the prowl alarm goes off, alerting their cohorts the buffet is now open!

Anglers are reaping the benefits and catching catfish in the 35 to 45 foot depth range. Some fish are even deeper at times but wise are the fishermen who monitor their sonar screens and locate the big balls of baitfish.

Catfish will be hot on their trail, often staying just under them or even right in there amongst the meandering schools of both threadfin and gizzard shad.

Productive baits throughout the summer will always be nightcrawlers, cut bait in the form of shad or bluegill, big minnows and hot dogs marinated in red Kool Aid with a hefty dose of garlic added to the soup.

A few anglers still love to use catalpa worms but finding them is much harder than the old days of summer. This great bait source from Mother Nature was once the "cat's meow" among the ranks of die-hard catfishermen.

Not only were catalpa worms attractive to the keen sense of smell of hungry channel and blue cats but their texture was tough, staying on the hook and lasting longer when small fish nibbled in an attempt to steal the bait.

There are also a lot of very effective commercial stink baits available from bait and tackle shops that do the trick.

Also beneficiaries of the moving water out there right now are bass fishermen targeting the main lake ledge bite. Some scattered reports had a few white bass biting too.

Moving water enhances the main lake sandbar bite as bass are chasing shad. At times anglers may see schools of bass blow up on the surface in a feeding frenzy. When they go on attack mode the shad run to the surface in a last ditch effort to escape.

This scenario is a Mecca for bass fishermen. Tossing spoons, crankbaits, suspending jerk baits and anything in their tackle box that mimics a fleeing shad will work. Chrome colored Rattle Traps or a wide range of shad colored crankbaits or swim baits will pay dividends.

At other times fishing the ledges with Texas rigged worms, jig and craws, Carolina rigged worms, jigging spoons and such offerings work well as do finesse baits.

Covering a lot of water with a big deep diving crankbait is a deadly presentation if your hand and shoulder will hold out.

Reports lately indicate most of the winning tournament stringers are coming from anglers hitting the main lake ledges.

Meanwhile, there's always a shallow summer pattern working in the visible grassbeds, buck bushes and treelaps where schools of pin minnows are abundant.

Tossing a spinnerbait or Texas rigged worms plus a buzzbait or jerkbait in the early morning hours is definitely worth trying. Find the minnows and you’ll find the bass.

River island points are always holding minnows and bass when the current is present.

Recent mayfly hatches have emerged, attracting bass and bluegill to the shady canopies where the flies fall. The bigger fish feast on the sudden food supply and gorge themselves.

Fishing in the midst of a mayfly hatch can be one of the sport’s finest hours. From tossing ultralight tackle with artificial grubs to live crickets, rapid fire feeding bluegill or bass will keep anglers busy. It's another great time to introduce kids or novice anglers to fishing.

June crappie have been holding in the 12 to 15 foot depths. Live minnow presentations or jigs tipped with minnows are working.

Deeper brushpiles and stakebeds are holding decent numbers of crappie. Kentucky Lake's early summer crappie bite is worthy of pursuit. Just keep the fish on ice to preserve their flavor.