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I am going to Kentucky Lake in late march and I will be launching from the west side of the lake because that is where we are staying. But I am more interested in fishing on the east side and smallmouth in particular. Some people are telling me it is too dangerous to cross. I have a Grumman 16 ft. semiv with a 25 horse. Any info would be appreciated, I have never been there before.
It doesn't say exactly where on the lake you will be but there are designated areas with buoys for crossing the lake. If you go outside them it better be summer pool to have a shot at making it!
I hate to say this, but a 16-ft boat with a 25hp motor is awfully small for crossing KY Lake. Of course, if it's a high-sided boat or a fish & ski it might be OK, but KY Lake is prone to wind blowing up quickly. Be very careful. Keep in mind that you'll save gas $ and reduce risk by driving to the east and putting in there.
Just like above, I would use caution when crossing, and pay close attention to the wind and the direction. It may appear to be safe to cross, but once you get out in the middle it may be a different story. I have seen small boats cross it plenty of times, but there are times I struggled getting a 20 foot triton across it. Also, pay close attention to the forecast - you may have no problem crossing, and spend a few hours fishing, and it may be a different story to get back. With a boat that size, I would not cross it if the wind was 10 mph or above. Just use some common sense, and use the bouys to cross - a good map will help too (atlantic Map co. makes the best for this lake).
Where will you be staying, and primarily launching from? With a boat that size Trailering may be the cheapest, quickest, and safest option. I am only about a ten minutes from the dam, and the west side ramps are much closer, but I still put in east side quite a bit - that leaves me with more fishing time if I plan on fishing the east side most of the time. Smith, Duncan and Sugar bays are, by far, my favorite bays on Ky Lake and they are all right next to each other. Good Luck and I hope you have a great time down here.
Don't try it. Winds come up too fast and you'd be in trouble in that size of a boat and motor. Trailer around and put in at Sugar Bear or Pisgah Bay. Might even try at Energy Lake in LBL. Lots of nice fish there too.
Depending on where your staying ,there are numerous ramps on the LBL side.You can trailer across the 68 bridge and put in at one of the ramp's on that side(sugar bay for one I know has a ramp). That would be the wiser thing to do, Sometimes the wave's can get very large and you can't just go straight across, you might have to run a mile or 2 up or down the lake to work your way across, beside all the underwater hump's and ledges, you have to stay inside the buoy's are you could lose a lower unit. This lake can be very dangerous if your not familiar with it, and there are a few death's every couple of year's even with people who know the lake. Get you a map of the Lbl road's and should be fine.
goodluck Kydog
I would head everyones advise. Personally I would not cross in your situation. If i wear really wanted to fish the LBL side I would go put in at Sugar. You can catch some smallies in that area, and if the wind gets up you can somewhat hide. I have a 18.5 ft boat and have trailered to either side before during tournaments to avoid the wind. Weather changes fast there and being unfamiliar with the channell can get you hurt. You dont want to go out of a boat in March.
brother i am by far no expert on ky lake but i can tell you ive been scared 2 times on the water and the worst was AT KY LAKE IN APRIL!!!!!!!!! I have a 17.5 ft procraft with a 115 hp and it sits LOW in the water but every spring i go to ky lake lookin for big slabs!! The wind is a beast and will come in the boat to visit you!! Best bet is put in where you want to fish and if the wind gets up wait it out!!!!
As much as I love catching smallies, I would never go to KY Lake with the sole intent of targeting them. If you do then you'll be sorely dissapointed. Sorry.
Targeting smallies in this region you have to go to one of three lakes mainly,Dale Hollow, Cumberland, Green River Lake.
All I can say is that I wouldn't cross Ky Lake in a 16' boat and I guide on it....have more time backing my boat down a ramp here than most people on the water here. By the way, there are Smallies on the west side also.