Help: Barkley or KYL mid-November

Guys,

I'm taking a trip down to western KY in mid-November. Never been on either lake past the 20th of October. I was thinking of staying at Barkley Lodge and fishing little River or staying at Kenlake lodge and fishing that area. I'm most familiar with Little River and prefer barkley lodge but would appreciate any advice I can get from someone. Would consider an entirely different portion of the lake if you don't like my first two idea:)

I guess I'm assuming too a relatively normal fall with relative normal water levels. These might not be safe based on what we have seen this summer:(

[QUOTE=davidsa;377421]Never been on either lake past the 20th of October.[/QUOTE]

Not sure what your trying to ask. Like me, from NC I've never fish KY other than June but when its October I will know its early fall more than likely they will migrate to shallow so thats where I'll be fishing. Topwater, shallow cranks, spinner, etc in back creek & coves. Not a rocket scientist.

stay in the channel buoys.

My two cents...: My choice would be Ky Lake over Barkley in November. If we have a normal fall (instead of the early winter we had last year), get ready for some of the best fishing of the year (weather permitting). Topwater, spinnerbaits, etc...did I say topwater and lots of it..??? LOL Tournaments are all gone...everyone is hunting...and you own the lakes...on some of the best fishing days of the year.

Thanks! I will give Kentucky lake a try.

Anyone have a better lodging suggestion on KYL then Kenlake Lodge. As I recall, parking and charging batteries was an issue at Kenlake lodge and the cafe hours were spotty at best.

thanks to all

Try Moor's Resort. Should be able to get an off season discount at the lodge. I would expect any of the restaurants at the resorts to be spotty on hours though since it is the off season in November and not many people down here. You might get a discount for a cabin instead of taking a lodge room and then you could cook for yourself and save some bucks too. If you would rather eat out...I would opt for just getting a motel room on the north end of Ky like the Bel Air...at least that way you would not be all that far from places like the Waffle house which stays open 24 hours and Cracker Barrel which is going to have regular hours...(about 4 miles). Also, that would give you the option of fishing both lakes if you wanted within a short distance.

As was stated earlier stay in the buoys.

We did a late October trip last year and stayed at Moors' restaurant was open for breakfast and lunch but I think they were closing the next weekand would only be open weekends.

One of the guys who had a boat and was not familiar with the lake really had trouble getting across the lake at Moors’ it can be confusing. If you stay at the Bel Air Hotel as Dave talked about you also have a Ponderosa with a really good salad bar close. It is fairly close to Moors' also.

[QUOTE=roadrunner;377487]As was stated earlier stay in the buoys.

We did a late October trip last year and stayed at Moors' restaurant was open for breakfast and lunch but I think they were closing the next weekand would only be open weekends.

One of the guys who had a boat and was not familiar with the lake really had trouble getting across the lake at Moors’ it can be confusing. If you stay at the Bel Air Hotel as Dave talked about you also have a Ponderosa with a really good salad bar close. It is fairly close to Moors' also.[/QUOTE]


I normally camp at Canal Campground and launch on the land between the lakes side so I don't have to cross the lake. Low water levels is part of it but high wind can be a factor as well. I have fished KYL and Barkley a fair amount and understand what low water means on these lakes.

If I thought I'd spend +60% of my time fishing the east side of Kentucky then I might be tempted to just launch on that side at the ramp near the 68 bridge. I might even stay at Barkley lodge. I think the drive is maybe 10 miles but I'm guessing.

If the bite is generally better on the west side or just as good as the east side, then a cabin at the Moores would be a great idea.