March 17, 2017

Kentucky Lake: Water Level at Kentucky Dam - 355.66 Surface Temperature - 50
Lake Barkley: Water Level at Barkley Dam - 355.60 Surface Temperature - 50

Both lakes are one and one half feet above winter pool. Kentucky Dam was generating at an average rate of 62,000 cfs this morning. Barkley Dam was generating at an average rate of 34,500 cfs this morning. The latest lake levels , current flows and forecasts for all the TVA lakes can be found at http://www.tva.com/river/lakeinfo/index.htm.

Current Conditions: I mentioned in last week's report that winter was going to show it's ugly face this week and did it ever. We have had record and near record low temperatures this past week accompanied by high winds from the north. This nasty weather pattern kept us off the lakes this week so I don't have much to report in the way of recent patterns/lures as the weather also kept all the folks I network with off the water also. As you can see, the water temperatures took a plunge this past week and are now 6 degrees below what they were at the end of last week. I expect this has had a detrimental effect of some of the patterns we were fishing before the temperature plunge such as the shallow water patterns we were experiencing with the warmer than normal water temperatures prior to this deep freeze hitting the area.

The good news is that the forecast indicates that we will be experiencing a warming trend over the next week. This should stabilize things and even start a slow rise in the water temperatures although I don't expect the water temperatures will rise as fast over the next week as they dropped this past week. I am ommitting productive lures and patterns in this week's report as I do not have enough verified information over the past week to post an accurate and truthful report. Those of you that have followed my weekly reports over the years, know that I will not make up information just to publish a fishing report.

The only reason I am publishing this abbreviated report this week is so that those of you coming to the lakes this weekend will have a consolidated report on the current conditions. I will be back out on the water all next week and will have a more detailed report for you next week.

The forecast for tomorrow (Saturday) is for a high of 60 and low of 34 Saturday night. Wind is forecasted to be NNW at 15. Sunday is showing a high of 60 with a low of 46 Sunday night with winds light and variable. Monday's forecast is showing a high of 77 and low of 55 with wind S at 15 as the next front approaches the area. There is a 20% chance of showers and scattered thunderstorms on Monday. The extended forecast into mid next week is showing a return to day time high's around 60 and night time low's in the lower 40's with post frontal north quadrant wind.

Make sure you check the latest wind and weather forecast before venturing on the water. These forecasts can change rapidly this time of year.


IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON VISITING OUR LAKES I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING BUSINESSES FOR ALL YOUR FISHING AND BOATING NEEDS:
Fisherman’s Headquarters is located in Draffenville at the U.S. 68/U.S. 641 triangle, or the Draffenville "Y". FHQ stocks everything an angler could need, from live bait, hooks and bobbers to top of the line tournament bass tackle. More than a "bait and tackle" store, Fisherman’s Headquarters is a true "pro shop", offering advice, training and special order assistance not found online or at the big box retailers. Services even include custom electronics training and installation. The store offers a wide variety of nationally known brands as well as many regional and hard to find items we use on Kentucky and Barkley Lakes. They stock many of the products I rely on daily, such as Charmer Baits, Slong’s lures, Picasso lures, Bag 5 lures and Pro Tungsten weights. From bluegill to bass and catfish to crappie, FHQ has you covered! Stop by and visit or phone 270-527-5938

Jet-A-Marina: If you have a problem with your boat while you are visiting our great fisheries, let me recommend you have the folks in the service department at Jet-a-Marina check it out. These folks have a well known reputation for trying to keep our visitors on the water while they are here if they can possibly do so, especially you tournament anglers. Hopefully you will not need this kind of assistance but if you do, you can find Jet-a-Marina located on U.S. 62 in Calvert City, just a couple of miles north of Kentucky Dam. Jet-a-Marina also has a great showroom for all your boating accessories and check out the new Ranger and Stratos bass boats too as well as bulk oil at rock bottom prices for your engine. Phone: 270-395-4030.

GUIDE SERVICE:
For those of you that may not be familiar with my service: I am a full time catch and release bass fishing guide. I only guide for bass. I have been guiding for bass full time on these lakes for over 20 years and bass fishing the lakes for over 30 years. I do not go out and fish panfish for 4 or 5 days and then try to guide on bass for one or two days.

No one knows everything the bass are doing but one thing is for sure, if you only fish for bass day in and day out, you will have a lot better idea of what they are doing and also be familiar with all the different techniques it takes to be a successful bass angler.

If you book with my service, you will have me as your guide and you will be guided in the comfort of a late model Z522 Ranger Comanche equipped with Lowrance HDS electronics and top of the line tackle. I provide just for fun bass fishing trips, tournament preparation trips, focused teaching trips and technique instruction. If you are in need of a bass fishing guide give me a call or drop me an email.

Available Dates:

March: Sorry, I am booked up.
April: Sorry, I am booked up.
May: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23

Of course I am taking reservations for the rest of the season also through November

Captain Dave Stewart
Bass Buster Guide Service
270-362-9987
dave@kentuckylakeguide.com
www.kentuckylakeguide.com
"Fish With a Professional"