Kentucky Lake Homes For Sale  |  Levels  |   Events |   Lake Cam

• Places To Stay
• Things To Do
• Fishing
• Boating
• Local Guide

Big mayfly hatches are underway across Kentucky Lake and they seem to be right on schedule. As summer advances mayflies, referred to locally as "willow flies", are hatching out on a regular schedule.

Seems there's always huge hatches underway around the Fourth of July. This natural buffet stimulates a feeding frenzy along the shallow shorelines and river islands for bass and bluegill.

Just about every fish that swims the fertile waters of the reservoir benefits in some form from this natural occurrence once spring fades to summer.

Above average temperatures are descending on the region as the big Fourth of July holiday period approaches. Daytime highs are forecast to be in the mid-90's in the next few days, which will alter the Kentucky Lake fishing scene.

Anglers are altering their schedules and hitting the lake early trying to adjust. Rising early and getting out there in the wee hours of the morning then tossing in the towel before the midday heat takes command is what most are doing.

Lake levels have risen slightly this week in the aftermath of some heavy rains across the TVA valley. Kentucky Lake's elevation was 359.8, which is up the last few days and almost a foot above normal summer pool level.

Water color is clear. Surface temperatures have heated up and are now in the 80 to 83 degree range. The water will likely heat up even more in the next few days.

In the lowlight conditions of the early morning bass activity has been pretty good. Finding the abundance of mayflies mixed in with some schools of pin minnows is a good combination. Those shallow weedbeds plus blow-down treelaps are holding an abundance of forage and the bass are right there chasing them.

Seems there's always a few shallow bass on the prowl despite the hot weather and high surface temperature. Finding a few shady canopies will produce even better.

Once the current increases those main river island points are great places to target. The current puts the minnows tight around structure and the falling mayflies are a bonus to the overall fishing scene.

Main lake ledges are giving up some dandy stringers too whenever the current is present. Tossing big crankbaits in the black/chartreuse, pearl and Tennessee shad are a few productive color combinations. Bone colors and chrome are popular too.

Texas rigged worms, finesse baits, Carolina rigged craws and worms and big spoons are also on the list of great summer choices. Worm colors in the pumpkin-pepper, June bug, Tequila sunrise and red shad have been popular selections.

Despite the heat a few crappie are coming in from seasoned fishermen getting out early and working deep brushpiles ansd stakebeds before the sun gets too high in the sky. That relatively clear water allows that midday sun to shine deep and those light sensitive crappie diminish biting.

Tightlining minnows has produced best for crappie fishermen but some are tipping a jig or just fishing a minnow on a neutral colored leadhead without a skirt.

Some boaters have been trolling crankbaits over main lake sandbars with mixed success lately as well.

Anglers can catch a lot of bluegill, yellow bass and largemouth while tossing a cricket fished beneath a slip-bobber around shorelines where mayflies are present. Tossing a small grub or beetle spin type presentation will pay dividends too.

Catching a multitude of fish while casting light spinning tackle is tons of fun this time of year.

Catfish continue to show up in the creel of anglers targeting the main channel river banks whenever the current is underway. Some days the current kicks in on up in the day but moving water is the key to catching catfish.

Without the current baitfish don't move around in pursuit of plankton. That means the fish are lethargic for periods but once moving water enters the equation the bite improves. Lately there's been enough current most days to keep the catfish bite active.

Be cautious of the heat and keep an abundance of liquids in the boat. Out there right now it's hotter than the Fourth of July!