March 17: Lake Cumberland/Cumberland River Report

March 17: Lake Cumberland/Cumberland River Report (first time on the water since November)

Spring is in the air! (West End) Lake is at 691 and falling. Water is stained with visibility about 2 feet. Water temperature ranges from 56 – 62 depending on location. Fished LC creeks on 3/16 & 3/17 while trying to stay dry! Never found a consistent bit or pattern. Managed a few spots up to 13” on Rapala and crappie curly tail jigs. All in the back of the creeks on rocky structure, BUT that’s the only area I fished. There are some great looking locations in the back of the creeks, where new tree/shrub growth has grown up and at the current lake level are standing in 6 or less feet of water. Wasted a lot of time throwing that curly tailjig, hoping the crappie might have moved in….Na..Na….to early and with the lake dropping, those trees will be back on the shoreline soon. Never the less, reminded me of spring crappie fishing on KY/Barkley lakes. Note, crappie are reporting to be hanging around at a depth of 10 foot, over cover and biting on minnows.

In taking with a couple of others on the lake, consensus was fish have not moved backed into the creeks yet, with most fish currently being caught on main lake points and points on main creek, and near entrance of secondary tributaries. Well, I bailed out around 1:00 pm today and headed home to recharge the trolling batteries. Hopefully, others will have better luck and will report some encouraging results. (Note, this ole man needs all the help he can get!)

Discharge at Wolf Creek dam is around 20-21 cfs and projected to be the same for the next several days. Water temperature is in the lows 50’s. Sauger and Walleye fishing, bottom bouncing worms below the dam is reported to have been poor to fair? White bass have begun to show up at the mouths of the creeks, but mainly small males. Bite is on and off. Here’s hoping the Big Girls will join the party soon.

Didn't mention it above, but on Thursday, fished the river from the dam to Snow Island (Long Bar). Pulled jerk-baits from Hatchery creek to the dam...., nothing. Pulled up into Black-Fish creek and caught one (1) small male white. Ran down to Snow Island, stopping at various creek inlets and cast the curly tail jig, but no whites taking my offering. From Snow Island up till about half way to Power-line, pulled jerk baits, but again with no action other than one(1) skip jack.

Didn't see any whites in the jumps.

Very thorough report. Thanks Flylie.