Eastern Kentucky Fishing Report

This fishing report was compiled for the week of May 21, 2014

Editor’s note: Rain keeps popping up in these reports at a time when we would like to see our lakes stabilize for spring fishing. The bass spawn is underway and in some places it’s coming to an end. While the Ohio River was in good condition last week, the recent rains made it swell its banks once again. The good news is the crappie fishing has been hot, muskie have been in shallow water, and bluegill have spawned for the first time this year. Get out there this long weekend and send your pictures to me: trimmer308@windstream.net

Cave Run Lake: The lake has finally made it to summer pool. However, rains may change that by press time. The water temperature is 68 degrees and the bass should be coming off the nest. Musky: Good. Tubs, gliders, lipless crankbaits along with inline spinnerbaits have been seeing action this week. We believe the recent bluegill spawn has drawn in both muskie and catfish looking for an easy meal. Largemouth Bass: Slow. The bass has been on the nest and catching them has slowed. However, it’s time for the bass to finish nesting. These fish will need a recovery period and may remain slow for another week or so. Smallmouth: Slow to fair. The smallmouth should be finished nesting but reports have remained slow. Crappie: Good to excellent. I fish the lake Sunday and once I realized bass were nesting, I turned to catching crappie. I managed to catch 15 in short order using 1/32 oz jig dressed with a char/white twister tail. The fish were positioned at the end of laydown trees on flats where the water was eight to 10 feet deep. Most of the fish I caught were black crappie, two to four on each tree. Catfish: Good, fishing near spawning beds and creek heads with live bait. Bluegill: Excellent, the bluegills have been nesting in all out eastern lakes. Live bait and small jigs have been producing good results.

Grayson Lake: The lake has been stable at summer pool. The water is 68 degrees and stained. Bass: Slow, the bass have been on the nest. While some fish nested early, most were reported to be on during the full moon, which was May 14. I don’t recommend people taking fish from the nest. They should be finished any time and the fishing should return after the short recovery period. Crappie: Good, fishing down timber and brush in eight to 10 feet of water. Jigs, live bait and small crankbaits have been successful this week. Catfish: Good, fishing live bait from the heads of coves near discharge areas. Bluegill: excellent. The bluegills have been nesting and reports suggest crickets, worms and small jigs have all caught fish this past week.

Greenbo Lake: The water temperature is 68-72 degrees and stable. Bass: fair.Reports are saying that the fish have been recovering from their annual nesting cycle. We expect to see the fishing improve quickly as these fish begin to feed. Minnow type baits should become productive as these fish get active. Trout: Fair to good using Berkley Powerbait and small spinners or blade baits like the Sliver Buddy. Catfish: Good, these fish have moved to the shallows feeding on nesting bluegill. Bluegill: The bluegills have been on the nest and unlike bass they are active feeders while nesting. Good reports of both bluegill and shellcrackers have been coming in. Redworms, crickets, and small jigs have been producing.

Ohio River: The Ohio River had been good shape but as I write this weather forecast for the area suggests the river is going to get a heavy influx of water. Largemouth Bass: Fair and improving. Crankbaits, jigs and blade baits are beginning to produce fishing backwater areas. Below the dam: Twin tail grubs on ¼ oz. ball jigs are the best producers of Sauger and Walleye using slow bump-the-bottom retrieves. Running a two-jig setup produces better strikes. One of the two baits needs to be a little off of the bottom. White Bass: Slow with few reported catches. Bass: We are looking for some new reports on the bass fishing above the dam. If you get on the water help us out! Catfish: Good, fishing on the bottom near nesting sites using minnows, cut-bait and worms. Bluegill: We didn’t get any reports about the bluegill in the river, however, they should be nesting in backwater areas.

Yatesville Lake: Yatesville water temperature has been 62-68 degrees and the fishing has been slow as the bass recover from spawning. Bass: Slow, the bass were on the nest this past week. They may be finished and fishing is expected to rebound as they have a chance to recover from spawning. Crappie: Good, fish the edges of flats in channel bends and old fish attractors using 1/32 oz. white crappie jigs or live bait. We have seen some anglers improving their odds drifting across fish attractors using both live bait and jigs. Catfish: Good. Fishing spawning beds and creekheads using live bait and worms. Bluegill: Excellent, the bluegills have been nesting and good catches have been reported for the last week. This should continue through the long weekend. Worms, crickets, and small hair jigs have all been producing good results.