Eastern Kentucky Fishing Report

This fishing report was compiled for the week of July 7, 2012

Notice: I want to add Paintsville Lake to the Eastern Kentucky Fishing report. To do this I need to have contacts that I can check with weekly. If you would like to help, please email me and let me know how to contact you and how you can help!

Editor’s note: Fishing at night has been the big producer for the last week or so. Lake temperature’s hit the high 80s in some locations and fishing has been tough in the middle of the day. If you have some fishing pictures to share with me send them to:  trimmer308@windstream.net

Cave Run Lake: The water level was at summer pool at press time. Surface temperature is peaking in the high 80s. Reports this week confirm that most of the fishing success has been during the low light periods and after dark. Musky: fair to slow. When the water temperatures climb past 80 degrees, we do not recommend taking musky especially from deep water. These fish will most likely die before they can be released. We also don’t encourage trolling during the hot water period. Bass: There were no reports on smallmouth this week from Cave Run. If you are fishing for smallmouth on Cave Run tell me how you’re doing. Largemouth Bass: Fair, not much has changed this week. Many anglers are starting to fish at night. The best times this past week have been from dusk dark to about midnight fishing Texas rigged worms. Fish old road beds and topwater baits on points and road beds. We also had a few reports of fish being caught on deep ledges fishing crankbaits weighted with split-shots about 12 to 14 inches in front of the bait to get down deeper. Crappie: Good, fish live bait at night under lights. Fish were reported hitting at about 15 feet on underwater structure near channel bends. Report of some good Bluegill came in this past week. As they pass the full moon stage many of the bluegill will spawn once again. 

Grayson Lake: The water level is stable at summer pool. The lake is 82 to 87 degrees. Bass: fair to slow. We only had a few reports this week on Grayson. Fish were reported hitting topwater very early in the mornings. However, we also had a few reports of fishing late in the day and after dark using Texas rigged worms fishing points and weeds. Crappie: fair. Use live bait fishing down trees near the channel and along flat edges where submerged trees are holding bait fish. Bluegill: Good, fish spawning beds using red worms and small 32oz. black jigs.

Greenbo Lake: The lake is mostly clear with water surface temperature of 78-84 degrees and stable. Bass: fair. Many anglers continue fishing at night using worm rigs and jigs. We also had a report that some fish were active at night on topwater jerkbaits in the dam area. Trout: fair. Fish inline spinners, Berkley Power Bait, blade baits and red worms. Most of the action has been in the ramp area from the bank. Crappie: Improving, fish jigs and inline spinners. It’s time for some crappie to be taken at night on this lake, but I have had no reports of anyone fishing at night. Bluegill: good. The full moon phase triggered bluegill to spawn once again this year.

Ohio River: The Ohio River is in good shape. Water levels and water clarity are both normal. The river has been unchanged and good this past week and reported catches continue both above and below the dam. White bass: Good, watch for breaking fish in the mouth of creeks. Largemouth Bass: fair and improving. Use small spinnerbaits and ¼ oz. buzzbaits around weeds, brush and lay-down trees. Below the Dam: Sauger and Walleye are reported fair. Use crankbaits and live bait. Bass: fair. The bass have been active this week. Use spinnerbaits, and small buzzbaits in areas where weeds can be fished. Catfish: very good. Fish still-water areas and eddies. Use live and prepared bait. Reports of catfish still spawning have also come in this week. Stripers: fair. Reports have slowed down on the stripers this week, if you are catching these fish let me know.

Yatesville Lake: The water level is reported stable at summer pool. The water surface temperature is 83 to 88 degrees.  Bass have been slow this week. Active fish has been reported in all areas of the lake early and late. Fish topwater and weightless plastic worms on points and lay-down trees. Night fishing is beginning to pick up, use worm rigs and jig & pig combos. We also continue to get reports of catches around standing timber in the very early hours. Use topwater jerkbaits.  Crappie: good. Fish the edges of flats in channel bends and old fish attractors using 32 oz. white crappie jigs tipped with live minnows. We have also had some reports of catches using small in-line spinners casting the shallow water flats as the black crappie start visiting these areas when the sun begins to warm the surface. Bluegill: Good, fish bedding areas with red worms and 64 oz. back jigs.

Fishing reports and pictures of your catch can be submitted to: trimmer308@windstream.net

This fishing report was compiled for the week of June 24, 2012

Editor’s note: With little relief from the heat, fishing remains best during the low light periods and after dark.

Cave Run Lake: The water level is at summer pool. Surface temperature is 78 to 85 degrees. Reports this week confirm that most of the fishing success has been during the low light periods Musky: fair to slow. When the water temperatures climes pass 80 degrees we do not recommend taking musky especially from deep water. These fish will most likely die before they can be released. Bass: Smallmouth I didn’t get any reports on smallmouth on this lake this past week, but my recommendations is to move to night fishing jigs. Largemouth Bass continue to be reported as good. Many anglers are starting to fish at night. The best times this past week have been from dusk dark to about midnight fishing Texas rigged worms at old road beds and topwater baits on points and road beds. Crappie: Good this week, fishing live bait at night under lights. Fish were reported hitting about 15 feet on underwater structure near channel bends.

Grayson Lake: The water level is stable at summer pool. The lake is 79 to 85 degrees. Bass: fair to slow. Reports of fish being active in river headwaters have been coming in. Crankbaits, jerkbaits and Carolina rig worms are the baits that were used. The early morning bite is best on points and flat edges. Use topwater baits for about the first hour of the day. Crappie: fair. Use live bait fishing down trees near the channel and along flat edges where submerged trees are holding bait fish.

Greenbo Lake: The lake is mostly clear with water surface temperatures of 78 to 84 degrees and stable. Bass: fair. Many anglers are fishing at night using worm rigs and jigs. We also had a report that some fish were active a night on topwater jerkbaits in the dam area. Trout: fair. Fish inline spinners, Berkley Power Bait, blade baits, and red worms. Most of the action has been in the ramp area from the bank. Crappie: Improving, fish jigs and inline spinners. It’s time for some crappie to be taken at night on this lake, but I have had no reports of anyone fishing at night. Bluegill: Slowing, but should improve as we move into the next moon phase. Reported catches have been on live bait fishing 10 to 12 feet deep using ultra-light tackle.

Ohio River: The Ohio River is in good shape at press time water levels and water clarity are both normal. The river has been unchanged and good this past week. Reported catches continue both above and below the dam. White bass: Good, watch for breaking fish in mouth of creeks. Largemouth Bass: Fair and improving. Use small spinnerbait and ¼ oz. buzzbaits baits around weeds, brush and lay-down trees. Below the Dam: Sauger and Walleye are reported fair. Use crankbaits and live bait. Bass: fair. The bass have been active this week. Use spinnerbaits, and small buzzbaits in areas where weeds can be fished. Catfish: Very good. Fish still water areas and eddy areas, using live bait and prepared bait. Reports of catfish spawning have also come in this week. Stripers: Good, most of these fish are being taken from the Ohio side near the locks in permitted fishing areas.

Yatesville Lake: The water level was reported stable at summer pool. The water surface temperature is 79 to 86 degrees.  Bass have been slow this week. Active fish have been reported in all areas of the lake, Fish early and late using topwater and weightless plastic worms on points and lay-down trees. Night fishing is beginning to pick up using worm rigs and jig & pig combos. Crappie: good. Fish the edges of flats in channel bends and old fish attractors using 32 oz. white crappie jigs tipped with live minnows. We have also had some reports of catches using small in-line spinners casting the shallow water flats as the black crappie start visiting these areas when the sun begins to warm the surface. Bluegill: Good, fishing bedding areas with red worms and 64 oz. back jigs.

Fishing reports and pictures of your catch can be submitted to: trimmer308@windstream.net