Falls of the Ohio

I am new to the discussion boards so hello everyone. I am new to the area and have been experimenting in some of the public fishing holes but really want to tackle the Ohio. I will have to do this from the bank for awhile as I have no boat. I understand that two good places would be the Mcalpine Locks and **** and the Falls of the Ohio. I have read several posts discussing fishing these places and can check the water level at the McAlpine ****. What I don't know is the ideal water level for each place (one post stated 12 feet or under at the lower gates) but have no reference for the Falls of the Ohio. Is there a magic place to look and a number that I should have in my bag of tricks, or do I just keep driving by the park until the water level is at a certain point.

I have the web address for the McAlpine **** and a number to call but I don't know how deep is the best time to go. I posted the info below for anyone who does not have this yet.

(502) 775-5056.
[URL]http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=lmk&gage=mlpk2[/URL]

Welcome to the board it is nice you are already offering information. Riverrat12 can answer all your questions he is a great help on fishing the rivers

Thanks roadrunner I will get in touch with him once I figure out the personal messages.

[QUOTE=KYpondhopper;478106]I am new to the discussion boards so hello everyone. I am new to the area and have been experimenting in some of the public fishing holes but really want to tackle the Ohio. I will have to do this from the bank for awhile as I have no boat. I understand that two good places would be the Mcalpine Locks and **** and the Falls of the Ohio. I have read several posts discussing fishing these places and can check the water level at the McAlpine ****. What I don't know is the ideal water level for each place (one post stated 12 feet or under at the lower gates) but have no reference for the Falls of the Ohio. Is there a magic place to look and a number that I should have in my bag of tricks, or do I just keep driving by the park until the water level is at a certain point.

I have the web address for the McAlpine **** and a number to call but I don't know how deep is the best time to go. I posted the info below for anyone who does not have this yet.

(502) 775-5056.
[URL]http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=lmk&gage=mlpk2[/URL][/QUOTE]
16 ft and lower elevation at the falls and about 20 foot or less on output

For wade fishing at the falls, I don't go until it is under 14 and that would be high for me. I like to flyfish for bass during the summer primarily, so by then the flows are usually pretty consistant. I have now twice been caught away from the bank when they decide to bring the flows up, it is a scary, bumpy, wet ride. Of all of the places I have fished from coast to coast the falls is one of the most difficult places to wade on the rocks, they are slippery, sharp, and did I say slippery.

[QUOTE=roadrunner;478117]Welcome to the board it is nice you are already offering information. Riverrat12 can answer all your questions he is a great help on fishing the rivers[/QUOTE]

roadrunner your going to have to make a road trip come spring time so I can put you on a big kitty. Get you ready for the next tournament lol. Chuck

You are right I would like that.

[QUOTE=KYpondhopper;478106]I am new to the discussion boards so hello everyone. I am new to the area and have been experimenting in some of the public fishing holes but really want to tackle the Ohio. I will have to do this from the bank for awhile as I have no boat. I understand that two good places would be the Mcalpine Locks and **** and the Falls of the Ohio. I have read several posts discussing fishing these places and can check the water level at the McAlpine ****. What I don't know is the ideal water level for each place (one post stated 12 feet or under at the lower gates) but have no reference for the Falls of the Ohio. Is there a magic place to look and a number that I should have in my bag of tricks, or do I just keep driving by the park until the water level is at a certain point.

I have the web address for the McAlpine **** and a number to call but I don't know how deep is the best time to go. I posted the info below for anyone who does not have this yet.

(502) 775-5056.
[URL]http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=lmk&gage=mlpk2[/URL][/QUOTE]

Welcome to the board. First off what are fishing for? I fish pretty much at every water level, it's just a matter of knowing where to fish down there. If you are wade fishing from the shore I prefer the lower gauge anywhere from12 to16 feet.As long as they are running water at the upper dam your good. I like fishing as close to the dam as I can get when posible.If the uppper dam is closed hang it up unless your drum and carp fishing. The best overall rig down there that catches everything is a grub and jig combo.The size will vary ,I prefer a 1/4 oz jig with a white or chart. grub.I use gold hooks because they bend easy. Did I mention snaggs.... bring plenty of jigs and don't get frustrated it happens.I tend to throw straight out or down stream keeping my rod tip high.Avoid throwing upstream.Minnow tipping is an option that works well. As far as getting to know the water levels if they are giving upper gauge predictions like today @13.9 the dams will be all out ,usually anything above around 12.7 at the upper gauge the dams will be all out.Once the upper gauge is at pool the lower gauge will be the one to watch along with the amount of discharge at each of the two dams.Most of the time they will run 4ft at the lower dam and the rest at the upper to increase pressure to the hydros,which are located next to the lower dam.Once you get to know what levels work best for you you will take alot of guess work out of the forcasted predictions.There is so much to learn about this place. I have fished it 40 of my 48 years and still am learning.Can't beat time on the water.Couple things....This is a very DANGEROUS place If wade fishing and they sound the sirens get out of the water until they have adjusted the water levels regardless of rise or fall.As mentioned the rocks are very slippery and being the largest sedimentary rock formation in the world there is no shortage of sharp rocks that will cut you. Welcome to one of the most unique fishing areas in the world imo. Be carefull and good luck I hope I've helped.Feel free to pm me and I'll give you my #...I talk alot faster than I type. Check out some of the fish I've caught down there on my profile under A FEW FISH, and A FEW MORE...Chuck

[QUOTE=riverrat12;478218]Welcome to the board. First off what are fishing for? I fish pretty much at every water level, it's just a matter of knowing where to fish down there. If you are wade fishing from the shore I prefer the lower gauge anywhere from12 to16 feet.As long as they are running water at the upper dam your good. I like fishing as close to the dam as I can get when posible.If the uppper dam is closed hang it up unless your drum and carp fishing. The best overall rig down there that catches everything is a grub and jig combo.The size will vary ,I prefer a 1/4 oz jig with a white or chart. grub.I use gold hooks because they bend easy. Did I mention snaggs.... bring plenty of jigs and don't get frustrated it happens.I tend to throw straight out or down stream keeping my rod tip high.Avoid throwing upstream.Minnow tipping is an option that works well. As far as getting to know the water levels if they are giving upper gauge predictions like today @13.9 the dams will be all out ,usually anything above around 12.7 at the upper gauge the dams will be all out.Once the upper gauge is at pool the lower gauge will be the one to watch along with the amount of discharge at each of the two dams.Most of the time they will run 4ft at the lower dam and the rest at the upper to increase pressure to the hydros,which are located next to the lower dam.Once you get to know what levels work best for you you will take alot of guess work out of the forcasted predictions.There is so much to learn about this place. I have fished it 40 of my 48 years and still am learning.Can't beat time on the water.Couple things....This is a very DANGEROUS place If wade fishing and they sound the sirens get out of the water until they have adjusted the water levels regardless of rise or fall.As mentioned the rocks are very slippery and being the largest sedimentary rock formation in the world there is no shortage of sharp rocks that will cut you. Welcome to one of the most unique fishing areas in the world imo. Be carefull and good luck I hope I've helped.Feel free to pm me and I'll give you my #...I talk alot faster than I type. Check out some of the fish I've caught down there on my profile under A FEW FISH, and A FEW MORE...Chuck[/QUOTE]

Dude that was one of the easiest to understand explanations of the water levels and everything ever. The one thing I don't understand is how the water lvl is 4 feet at the lower dam and 12-16 feet at the upper dam or am I just confused?

And amazing fish in your album!! I need to get me a Alabama rig with 5 white rooster tails and toss them down there...

Riverrat12 I think that your cat fish catches rivals most on the river, i am a shade of envy. Thanks for the advise I will use it and try to stay clear of the pitfalls and sharp rocks. One question, if I wanted to fish the bank but didn't want to wade would I still have a decent chance. I will likely be fishing for sauger but almost always try to throw a pole in an eddy with something for cats while I cast. Also I was thinking about trying my luck on Monday so if you see a person in a green rain suit out there odds are if it isn't me then look for the other person dressed in a green rain suit.

By the way fished my BLANK off today to catch trout on three of the metro park lakes. Not a bad day to stand on the bank and cast.