Kentucky -vs- Barkley

[JignPig2006]

Hey Guys, (Dave, KY Lake Nitro, Col Forbin,etc.) How's North barkley looking? Is is fishable or worth trying? I noticed both Dams are spilling on one of the water reports I read? How do they have room down river to spill? Never knew we had a monsoon season in KY. Everything I've read is leaning toward KY, but I wondered about Barkley. I'm just more familiar over there. I know fish can be caught in muddy water, but just kind of wanting some other opinions. I guess with these conditions a man only needs 6 rods, Jigs on 5 of them, and a spinnerbait on the last one. With the dams spilling will it be enough of a drop to pull the fish back out to the first deeper water out of the flat? Looking foward to a couple days on the lake, hopefully we'll get to see what all the talk about KY Lake and Barkley in March. ***GOD BLESS*** & Good Fishing!!!

[SlopFishin]

They're not going to drop the lakes anytime soon with the Ohio being so high. I'd recommend going to KY Lake as it has less debris floating in it and is not near as muddy as Barkley. Hope you have a good trip. If you see a white/gold Nitro stop by and say "hi".

[hooksetter]

Ditto - GO TO KY LAKE

[Col Forbin]

I had to dodge a couple of railroad ties just from the canal to the dam on Barkley. Barkley, being a great deal shallower than Ky, gets stained much quicker than Ky. I usually don't fish Barkley a much in the spring - I will hit it in the summer and fall - but Ky has been better to me in the spring and usually alot clearer this time of year. The only possitive I saw on North Barkley the other day was the canal running to Ky. Ky lake is much more fishing friendly - less stained. With water remaining high in the brush, bass should start holding there as they seem to be enjoying the shallows. It would be a good time to hone your flipping skills. We did have a small front move through here today, so the fishing should toughen up a little, but hopefully get better by the weekend. Nothing is tougher on fish than muddy water after a front. I don't know if I would depend solely on a jig. I have been catching more bass and better bass on slow crankbaits. If you are planning on fishing this weekend, avoid putting in at Ky Dam. Jetta Marine Tourney is sat. with 300 boats expected.

[kylakenitro]

They are pulling water through both dams. Even with all the water they are running through the dams the ake is predicted to raise almost another foot over the next 3 days. (more water coming in than they are releasing)

I personaly havnt seen Barkley lake in a couple of weeks. I like to fish it but not when its as muddy as it has been. Ky has been slightly stained but very fishable. The water temps have really jumped in the last couple days and that should make a already good bite BETTER!!!!!!!!!

I'm going to get out Fri and do some flipping. at least i'm going to try it... The fish on Barkley have got to bite something(they gotta eat) Just because its muddy doesnt mean they moved to Ky.....LOL I just think it will be easier to catch fish on Ky.......Good Luck

[kylakenitro]

Just looked at the forecast for the next couple days.. Looks like the wind is going to BLOW!!!!!!!!!!!! Guys be careful out there we are going to have some wicked winds the next few days... Hopefully that will change by this week-end

[Dave Stewart]

I was on north Barkley on Monday..it was clear and the fish were biting. Not sure how it looks there right now after all this rain...I heard it is muddy down on south Barkley for sure...not sure if the mud has come this far north or not. I will be on Barkley and Ky tomorrow so I guess I will find out...the wind and storms have kept me off the lakes yesterday and today. Tomorrow looks ok but Friday may go either way..looked at 3 forecasts this evening for Friday and two say 10-15 ssw wind and one says wind warnings with wind 21 mph plus ssw. Gotta love it when the wx folks can't get close to one another.
New flood warnings are out for the Ohio River down here...they went from minor warnings to major flood warnings so don't be surprised if you see a change coming in lake levels from what the TVA is currently forecasting.

[Dave Stewart]

Wind forecasts for Friday are climbing...now forecasting 20-30 on the weather channel. TVA revised their lake levels forecast last night..the lakes are on the rise...present forecast is for 362.5 sometime today...that is 2.5 ft above what it was yesterday and one foot above what it is right now. Watch out for floating debris...it will be out there for sure.