Falls of the Ohio

[artcarney_agr]

Does anyone fish the Falls of the Ohio regularly? I read a nice article in Kentucky Afield the other day that told about how fun it is. I went this evening and tried it, didn't really know where to fish, seemed like everyone was as close to the dam as possible in the very fast water....what were they after?

I fished downstream where the current created a pool in a pocket, got hooked up on what appeared to be a striper, but it threw my Zara Spook before I could get it close enough to see....

Anyone have advice on how to fish the place?

[biggw]

Hey art check this out-http://scbass.net/scbb/index.cfm?page=topic&topicID=11979

[Tyme2fish]

I fish a lot there,but from a boat. I prefer fishing by the lower dam.
Send an e-mail to [email protected] and I'll try to answer some questions for you.

[artcarney_agr]

I sure didn't know the Spook had a flaw.....

[artcarney_agr]

I sure didn't know the Spook had a flaw.....

[kc]

I have fished the falls since I was a kid and there are a lot of fish to be had out there. Not a prime bass spot but at times you can do well especially for smallmouth. Stripers, hybrids, whites, sauger, and walleye are what I target most. When the current is low enough to fish safely you can catch the fish mostly out in the current. Stripers, hybrids, and whites will go right into the current to feed and at the falls will pull up behind any current break in the heavy current (rocks). Sauger and walleye tend to hang on the edges of the current. I used mostly jigs for all of the above but many use surface baits for the stripers. Be sure to take plenty of jigs if you try them out there. Those rocks in the current are not very forgiving. Email me if you want more specifics.

kc

[artcarney_agr]

Thanks for the help guys! I caught several stripers this evening and one nice sauger....that sauger sure was good to eat!

[Gregory]

Scott,
You do know eatin fish out of the river will make your teeth and hair fall out. :)

[artcarney_agr]

I sure didn't know that...I thought meth did that!

Seriously though...is it bad to eat fish out of the Ohio?

[bevo]

>I sure didn't know that...I thought meth did that!
>
>Seriously though...is it bad to eat fish out of the Ohio?


No worse than anywhere else. It seems that folks in the Louisville area, especially non fisherman, believe that eating fish out of the river will kill you immediately. There are advisories from KYDFW. They can be found looking at this years fishing and boating guide section 2. Online that guide can be located @ http://www.kdfwr.state.ky.us/fishboat06b.asp

Enjoy.

[kc]

If I remember the advisory it was for catfish, white bass, and carp and wasn't a "ban" on eating them only recommending occasional meals. My philosophy on eating fish from the river is do it in moderation and eat smaller fish. The chemicals that are bad for you build up in the fat in the fish and therefore fattier-meat fish are worst and larger fish accumulate more. I wouldn't sweat it but I wouldn't eat a catfish or white bass meal from the river every other day. I am glad you tagged a few! It can be a neat place to fish.

kc

[Gregory]

Scott,
Your easy, I was just kiddin. I have eatin many sauger out of the river. About 7 years ago I was on the river every day after work.
Greg