Fishing Report for week of May 22

This fishing report was compiled for the week of May 22, 2013

Editor’s note: Almost all eastern Kentucky lakes have made it into the mid to high 60s in water temperature. Along with the full moon phase peaking on the 25^th, we are seeing more and more fish moving to spawning beds. This will put fish in shallow water making your chances of catching a big fish better than normal. If you get on the water let us know how you do, send your pictures to: chris@ashlandbeacon.com

Cave Run Lake: The lake is just about at summer pool this week. Water temperatures are in the high 60s and we are getting reports of bass spawning on the main lake. Musky: The musky fishing has been good this week, as the bass move to spawning beds reports have reinforced the activity of muskie in shallow water. Crankbaits, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits and even lipless crankbaits have all caught fish. Smallmouth Bass: There were reports of good catches this week using shaky head jigs in the rip rap areas. Largemouth Bass: Reports this week put some of the fish on beds. Most of the fish, especially in the river, should hit the spawning areas as we approach the full moon. White Bass: We had reports this week that the white bass are moving back out of the river. As they show up chasing shad, small crankbaits and inline spinners have had good success this week. Crappie: Some crappie are still nesting, but most are done. The black crappie tend to stay in shallow water while the white crappie are reported to move back to deeper structure.

Grayson Lake: Water levels are a little over summer pool this week. Upper areas of the lake were reported muddy but lake temperatures have improved to near 67 degrees. Bass: It’s time for these fish to be moving into shallow water to spawn. However, most of the fish we saw this past weekend when we covered the Kentucky B.A.S.S tournament came from shaky head jigs fishing secondary points. Crappie: Fair to good fishing swim jigs around down timber and brush piles. Crappie is spawning in this lake. We expect to get some good reports in the next couple of weeks.

Greenbo Lake: This lake is producing both trout and bass. Water temperature was 66 to 68 degrees. Bass: Spawning has been reported and some are coming off the nest. As these fish come off the nest we look for bass to begin getting active once they recover. Trout: Greenbo was stocked in January with 5,500 rainbow trout. While some can still be taken using normal methods, this week there were again reports of fish taken on blade and spinnerbaits.  Catfish: Slow to fair fishing very early and at mid-day. Fish live bait, chubs, small bluegill and cut bait.

Ohio River: The river has been high and reports put the bass in the flooded trees. Largemouth Bass: Staging to spawn. The river temperature is lower than most of the lakes and with high water flooding most spawning areas, these fish are behind most of our lakes. Bass have been caught this week on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and jigs. Below the Dam: With water levels unstable, dam fishing reports were poor but should improve. For sauger and walleye, twin tail grubs on ¼ oz. ball jigs are still the best producers using slow bump the bottom retrieves. We also got reports that running a two jig setup has been producing better strikes. One of the two baits needs to be a little off the bottom.  Bass: Above the dam has been fair this week. As the water returns to normal, we expect to see this fishing rebound. Catfish: Reported active this week with good catches in backwater areas using live bait.

Yatesville Lake: We had a mix-up last week on this lake. One of our reporting anglers who usually reports on this lake, sent us a report for the Ohio River. We realized the mistake after press time. Our apologies.  This week, Yatesville is stable at summer pool with upper regions reporting heavy staining. Bass: Are moving into shallow water with reports of spawning. Fish were taken on shaky head jigs, crankbaits and topwater during low light periods. Crappie: good. Fish the edges of flats in channel bends and old fish attractors using 32 oz. white crappie jigs or live bait.

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