Annual fishing calendar

I am thinking about creating an annual schedule for myself and my kids to enjoy some of the best kinds of fishing available throughout the year locally. For instance, I already bass fish frequently and realize that April at Kentucky Lake can be excellent for large numbers and even your largest fish. Since my kids are involved and I am wanting them to learn to enjoy fishing like I do, I am thinking that activity would keep them interested, so my question to you guys is what should I fish for at what times of the year in this area for good activity (I normally fish Patoka, Rough, the Ohio, the Hoosier National Forestry lakes, some small farm ponds - do make several trips a year to Ky Lake and Barren)? I am open to any species, so include your thoughts about the best places to go and best times of the year to fish for sauger, redear, bluegill, black crappie, white crappie, hybrids, trophy catfish, channel catfish, etc. I am open to new places but don't really want to travel more than a couple of hours from Louisville. I would also like to know why the fishing is good for them at that time of year (spawning runs, etc) Thanks in advance for any responses and whatever I develop I will post on here for others to use as well.

Crappie in early spring. Can get some of the biggest right next to the bank. Since they are spawning, just look for any downed trees or other cover. Fun to catch and good to eat.

Everybody probably has a different opinion, we target different fish, and have different passions. But this is usually how I fish.

Jan - Couch
Feb- Start crappie fishing mid to late Feb depending on weather
Mar thru April - crappie fish pre spawn and spawn
May thru June - bluegill/redear
July thru Aug - catfish spawn, crappie fish at night with lights, bass fish at night.
Sep thru Nov - crappie, best time of the year for a pan fisherman
Dec - sauger

[QUOTE=Panfish Man;376097]Everybody probably has a different opinion, we target different fish, and have different passions. But this is usually how I fish.

Jan - Couch
Feb- Start crappie fishing mid to late Feb depending on weather
Mar thru April - crappie fish pre spawn and spawn
May thru June - bluegill/redear
July thru Aug - catfish spawn, crappie fish at night with lights, bass fish at night.
Sep thru Nov - crappie, best time of the year for a pan fisherman
Dec - sauger[/QUOTE]

January..........on the Couch............what the HELL........Hit the Dale for some monster smallies.

Actually from Late November through February, I generally try to hit dale hollow 8-10 times...........I might take 4-5 days during Christmas break this year to fish dale hollow.

Later,

Geo

[QUOTE=GeoFisher;376127]January..........on the Couch............what the HELL........Hit the Dale for some monster smallies.

Actually from Late November through February, I generally try to hit dale hollow 8-10 times...........I might take 4-5 days during Christmas break this year to fish dale hollow.

Later,

Geo[/QUOTE]

I always plan on making that trip, along with a couple others that time of year. But I work outside, and start to really get tired of the winter, and after being in it all week, I can't make myself go back out in it. I have heard about the smallmouth fishing at Dale in the winter for years, would love to go.

[QUOTE=Panfish Man;376132]I always plan on making that trip, along with a couple others that time of year. But I work outside, and start to really get tired of the winter, and after being in it all week, I can't make myself go back out in it. I have heard about the smallmouth fishing at Dale in the winter for years, would love to go.[/QUOTE]

Look me up when you're ready................Trips with 3 in the boat are better than 2, especially in this economy.

Later,

gEo

Stripers at C-land are good in winter months (Dec-Feb). Go with guides...most have enclosures and heaters!!! Guides will mostly use live bait. Jigs and cranks produce as well if you prefer to cast in order to help stay warm.

Saugers on the Ohio River are an option in the winter (Nov-Feb) as well. Bottom-bouncing live baits, metal spoons, or blade baits below dams is the ticket. Big blue cats are also available during the winter if you can find them. I know three people whose biggest cats have come in Jan-Feb (all fish between 70-100 #'s).

Summertime nights (approx June-October) are spent on the Ohio River drift-fishing down rods and/or jugs for catfish. Also at night, pick your favorite lake(s) and bass fish with soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and/or cranks.

Summer days spend trolling for hybrids at Barren, Rough, or Monroe. Find the thermocline and run your lures at or above that depth. July and August are my best months, but June and September-October can produce if the weather is warm enough. Water temps in the upper 80's to mid 90's are most productive for me.

Summer mornings are also spent jug fishing for cats on the Ohio. Get on the water early and leave when it gets too hot. This is the favorite of my two kids.

Bottom line is get out whenever you can and take a kid fishing for whatever they can catch. Go with the mindset that you (the adult) will probably not get to do any fishing. My 8-yr loves to catch skipjack because they put up a good fight and jump all over the place. He especially gets a kick out of using them for cut bait when we catfish...kinda the whole thing coming full circle.

Good luck with your calender!

Joe

I see the calender is a little lite for Jan And Feb You left out Sauger down at the dams.

Also keep a log of your trips. Ie. date, water and air temp, conditions, bait used, successes and skunks. So when you take friends, family, or kids fishing you can put them on fish. Kids will lose interest if they don't catch anything. I have been doing this for a couple of years now and it has been successful.