It just so happens that Kentucky and Barkley Lakes offer both. “Green River is still doing phenomenal for smallmouth bass,” said Jay Herrala, stream fisheries biologist for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. North Fork Kentucky River to area along Rt. Lake St. Clair. Otter Creek. The stream earned an “excellent” rating for smallmouth bass in the Fishery Division’s annual Fishing Forecast for 2019. Otter Creek is actively stocked with trout by the state of Kentucky and the Derby City Fly … https://premierangler.com/the-best-fishing-in-kentucky-our-top-8-lakes A green pumpkin skirted double-tailed grub worked in the same areas produces strikes as do smaller jig and trailer combinations in hues of brown, green and orange. It has been a favorite with anglers for many years and has received much acclaim. Smallmouth fishing is outstanding in the 53-mile New River Gorge near Beckley. (Ruddles Mill - Bourbon Co.), Fallmouth - confluence with licking river to KY 1893 bridge crossing, Mouth to KY 926 - Bethel Church Road bridge crossing, Backwaters of the Ohio River to KY 338 Idle Road bridge crossing. Michigan is the top location for smallmouth bass fishing. Located on the other end of the Detroit River from Lake Erie, Lake St. … In addition to the Elkhorn Creek system in central Kentucky, anglers can enjoy high quality stream smallmouth fishing across the state. “Green River and Barren River have good size structure in the smallmouth bass population and both rivers offer a … The topwater bite can be sporadic. Remember to get landowner permission before fishing. Mike Cline This Pikeville lake might have the best bass selection in Kentucky. Allow this presentation to slowly tumble toward bottom and gently jerk the rod tip every few feet to start the process again. I have an old friend who was reluctant to go wading in streams for smallmouth bass for many years. John Williams, longtime fisheries biologist in southeast Kentucky, holds his personal best smallmouth bass that weighed six pounds from Laurel River Lake. Mouth to KY 646 bridge crossing in Clark Co. Cumberland River to Martins Fork Lake tailwater, Left fork Middle Creek to Magoffin/Floyd Co. line, Hurricane Creek to Intersection of Rt. Author Lee McClellan is an award-winning associate editor for Kentucky Afield magazine, the official publication of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. It is massive, covering 160,309 acres of fishable water. I also hooked an unusual 22-inch largemouth bass on a 4-inch lizard that only had one eye. Lake Cumberland’s clean and super clear water hosts an impressive amount of fishing species including crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, sturgeon, catfish, sauger, bluegill, rockfish, walleye, brown trout, lake trout, and rainbow trout. State: Michigan. In the early morning and dusk, topwater lures work well at times. Professional, experienced licensed Guides will escort your fishing party on a fully-rigged bass boat, providing gas, tackle and live bait.Our guides will share technique and presentations that will produce those infamous Kentucky Lake catches. For boatless anglers, Otter Creek is arguably the best and largest area in the state to wade for trout. Big Bear offers Guide Service directly out of our marina. Fisheries biologists for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources say central Kentucky’s famed Elkhorn Creek is a good barometer of the present condition of stream smallmouth bass in our state. Fishing the smallmouth bass paradise of Kentucky Lake, Tennessee W hen Hobie team member Kristine Fischer visits Kentucky Lake, she’s not on vacation. Kentucky/Barkley lakes - Already in the top 10 for largemouth fisheries, now Kentucky/Barkley comes in at No. Many of those topped the 15-inch mark. © 2014 Commonwealth of Kentucky All rights reserved. It is that time of year again. If a local stream has good current with pools and riffles, a rocky bottom and water at least thigh deep, it likely holds smallmouths. Another good day on Floyd's Fork. One of the best-known smallmouth streams in Kentucky is Elkhorn Creek. 4. Lake St. Clair, Michigan. Other good streams are the South Fork of Licking River in Bourbon and Harrison counties, the South Fork of the Kentucky River in Clay and Owsley counties, the Cumberland River above the Falls in Bell and Whitley counties and the Barren River below Barren River Lake Dam in Allen, Barren and Warren counties. He’s been hooked on stream smallmouth fishing since. If you fish a topwater for 45 minutes or so without a strike during low light times, switch to sub-surface lures. The stream earned an “excellent” rating for smallmouth bass in the Fishery Division’s annual Fishing Forecast for 2019. © 2014 Commonwealth of Kentucky All rights reserved. This time it’s Trent, Seth, and David going out wading! This rig often sinks in a corkscrew death spiral. Kentucky Lake is arguably the most famous lake on the Tennessee River chain. Let the worm tumble along the current seam, occasionally touching bottom. Here are two of the best of the best for outstanding April bassing — and a bonus choice in the eastern part of the state. Chugger style topwaters and cigar-shaped lures designed for the walk-the-dog retrieve work extremely well. The St. Regis flows out of the Adirondacks into the St. Lawrence River and … Fisheries biologists for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources say central Kentucky’s famed Elkhorn Creek is a good barometer of the present condition of stream smallmouth bass in our state. I have been doing a lot research into smallmouth fishing recently and have been looking into various locations across the state that would be good bets for quality smallmouth fishing but I would love to get some feedback about good locations from others who fish the Kentucky rivers and streams. Pursue the original fly rod species on the Elkhorn, arguably the best smallmouth fishery in Kentucky. Kentucky Lake is widely known for its vast amounts of ledges and bars. The why is the important part of this thread. Bass Fishing Tennessee: Kentucky Lake. What gives Michigan its edge … Otter creek derby city fly fishers 6 prime spring trout picks in kentucky lake berland fly fishing the berland river kentucky 9 best places to fly fish in kentuckyAn Insider S To The Best Fly Fishing In Kentucky Tourism State Of Visit Official Site9 Best Places To Fly Fish In Kentucky Maps Included RemendedBerland A … One May a few years ago, I convinced him to wade a small creek in central Kentucky the weekend after the Kentucky Derby. Rod number one is a 76 ML spinning rod. Cork and deer hair poppers cast on a fly rod also work well, as do white 1/8-ounce buzzbaits. Distribution in Kentucky. Kentuckians who enjoy canoeing or kayaking are lucky to live in a state with bountiful amounts of cool, flowing water that hold smallmouth … 1780 and 2058 at Spruce Pine, Forks of Elkhorn to KY 1962 Lemons Mill Road bridge crossing, Mouth to KY 52 bridge crossing in Paint Lick, Cumberland River to Cumberland KY, Cloverlick Creek, KY 434 bridge crossing to KY 84 Howardtown Road bridge crossing, Shepardsville to Taylorsville Dam - headwaters of Taylorsville Lake to US 62 bridge, Mouth to the confluence with North Severn Creek, Mouth to KY 573, Woods Pike bridge crossing, Mouth to KY 1331 bridge crossing (Howards Mill area), Forks of the Elkhorn to KY 341 bridge crossing, Mouth to confluence of Stoner Ck. The last round of rain this past weekend has streams up a bit, but when they recede, stream smallmouth bass will be hungry. For Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources latest COVID-19 updates, Trophy Fish Program - Master Angler Award, Restricted entanglement fishing gear zones on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, Navigation Information for Commercial Fishing on the Ohio River, Lower Mississippi River Conservation Committee, Commemorate Your Catch With Free Certificates, Explore Kentucky's Waters with a Canoe or Kayak, Wading is an excellent and inexpensive way to fish streams, Three things to consider for spring fishing, Finding the best kayak for flatwater fishing, Tips to encourage your young angler’s interest this summer, June a transitional month for bass fishing, Channel catfish spawn brings hot fishing for bank anglers, Two good state resort parks for early summer fishing, Wade the Lake Cumberland tailwater to beat the heat and catch fish, Adjusting to Fishing Situations in the Fall Months, Three State Resort Parks For Great Fall Fishing, Largemouth bass active on smaller lakes across Kentucky, Five things to consider for reservoir smallmouth bass season, Enjoy seasonal catch and release trout streams this winter, Float and Fly Works During the Coldest Months, Mouth to KY 458 - Mt. The pro angler has fished eight tournaments, winning the Hobie Bass Open in 2019. De Mossville to Blue Licks Battlefield State Park vic. This is the most exciting fishing you can find in Kentucky. Shoreline access is limited by the rough terrain, but there are … The creek has bountiful numbers in the protective slot limit from 12- to 16-inches long and good numbers of fish more than 16 inches long. From his sources familiar with Kentucky Lake, Gilliland said two years ago there was a good class of largemouth and that there are now a lot of 12 to 13 inch largemouth in Kentucky Lake right now. 7 on the top smallmouth fisheries list. Most of these small streams rarely get fished. Toss a 4-inch black straight-tailed finesse worm rigged on a 1/8-ounce leadhead above or below a riffle along the seam where fast current meets slower. Surrounded by pastoral farmland and Kentucky’s signature limestone cliffs, the excellent fishing is paired with great scenery. Now is the best time of year to catch trophy stream smallmouth bass. After taking the lake apart with a competitor’s eye, the tournament pro shows us the ropes at the bass Mecca. Michigan. Fishing The 7 Best Lures for Smallmouth Bass in Rivers If you’re hitting the water for bronzebacks this summer, you’ll want to fill your tacklebox with these go-to baits In the spring of the year, due to heavy rains, you will see a lot of current in the lakes, making for some great smallmouth fishing. Very rarely will anglers catch the dozens of solid smallies that are produced each day on the great Northern fisheries, but the fish that are caught are often wall-hanging quality. St. Regis River, New York. The Elkhorn is one of Kentucky’s blueway treasures. https://anglr.com/fishing-blog/featured/bass-fishing-kentucky-top-5-lakes Plenty of fish are waiting for you to drop a line in the water. Many overlooked smallmouth streams flow across Kentucky. These fish can be caught on jerkbaits, crankbaits, and bottom baits such as "Ned Rigs". On overcast or rainy days, they may hit topwaters all day. FRANKFORT – Fishing for many species slows in the daytime hours during the heat of summer, but smallmouth bass who inhabit Kentucky streams bite willingly even on the hottest days. The good news is that smallmouth love pea gravel and current. The flooded timber, ledges and brush piles make 30-acre Deer Creek Lake the land of 10-pounders. In May, anglers should concentrate on three areas of a stream: the bottom of stream drops, often called riffles, the top of stream drops and flowing shoals. Explore Kentucky's Waters with a Canoe or Kayak; Best kayaks for flatwater fishing; Wading is an excellent and inexpensive way to fish streams; Three things to consider for spring fishing; Crappie time is here; April is Trophy Largemouth Time; Redear sunfish spawn upon us; Finding a Place to Fish; Finding the best kayak for flatwater fishing I avoid getting hooked by my crank bait, lose my net, and get into some good fish! We caught over two dozen smallmouth a piece that day. For Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources latest COVID-19 updates. It will be time to slip on some old tennis shoes, worn-out hiking boots or wade boots, grab a light to medium-light power spinning rod and hit the creek. Smallmouth bass fun up to 20 inches in the lake and make good winter fishing using jigs and float-n-fly fishing techniques. Ive been on a quest to find that perfect soft plastics rod because that is what I primarily fish and I have it narrowed to two different rods. Gilliland said populations of both smallmouth and largemouth have ups and downs from year to year and doesn’t have a real pattern to it. Trophy Fish Program - Master Angler Award, Restricted entanglement fishing gear zones on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, Navigation Information for Commercial Fishing on the Ohio River, Lower Mississippi River Conservation Committee, Commemorate Your Catch With Free Certificates, Explore Kentucky's Waters with a Canoe or Kayak, Wading is an excellent and inexpensive way to fish streams, Three things to consider for spring fishing, Finding the best kayak for flatwater fishing, Tips to encourage your young angler’s interest this summer, June a transitional month for bass fishing, Channel catfish spawn brings hot fishing for bank anglers, Two good state resort parks for early summer fishing, Wade the Lake Cumberland tailwater to beat the heat and catch fish, Adjusting to Fishing Situations in the Fall Months, Three State Resort Parks For Great Fall Fishing, Largemouth bass active on smaller lakes across Kentucky, Five things to consider for reservoir smallmouth bass season, Enjoy seasonal catch and release trout streams this winter, Float and Fly Works During the Coldest Months. What's up guys JTS Productions here bringing you a new video! On some days, they hit them with abandon, while on other days, stream smallmouth ignore them completely. Use 3- to 4-inch versions of these lures, not the larger ones designed for largemouth bass in lakes. There were some drought conditions that … Those who fish will catch Hybrid Striped, Striped, Largemouth, Smallmouth, White and Yellow Bass, along with Black and White Crappie and the ever popular, and easy to catch, Bluegill. He is a life-long hunter and angler, with a passion for smallmouth bass fishing. Smallmouth bass that ignored every offering in your vest will crush this. On Lake Barkley, you’ll find the best crappie, catfish and bass fishing in Kentucky. As with most any fishery, the stream has seen up and down years with its smallmouths. Now is the time to hit these waters and catch some of the world’s best. Check out Crawyakker on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! The following streams are all good for catching smallmouth bass: the Gasper River in Warren County, Russell Creek in Green and Adair counties, the Russell and Levisa Forks of Big Sandy River in Pike County and the Green River below Green River Lake to Mammoth Cave National Park. Russell County – The Home of Lake Cumberland, and one of the premier fishing destinations in the Eastern United States! Kentucky continues to provide excellent bass fishing in virtually all of our managed lakes, plus there are lots of rivers, streams and farm ponds with good fishing as well. 510 near Gilley KY, From the mouth at Green River upstream to the Green County line. My friend caught one in the 17-inch range that gave him quite a tussle on a light action spinning rod. And with consistent action, you can expect to release between 30 and 50 2- to 5-pound largemouths in a typical day while searching for our big boys. The smallmouth bass is generally found in upland streams and rivers throughout the eastern two-thirds of the state and is common in all streams in northeastern Kentucky. The current-free areas in the deeper holes hold fish at rest; these areas are the living room, not the kitchen. Kentucky Smallmouth Bass Streams: The following list of streams where smallmouth bass … Zion Road bridge crossing, Middle Fork Kentucky River to Leslie/Harlan Co. line, Mouth to KY 1005 Devils Hollow Road bridge crossing, Mouth the to confluence of Bullskin and Clear creeks, Mouth of KY 1941 - New Dixville Road bridge crossing, Cumberland River to Louellen KY, Fugitt Creek, Bell/Harlan Co. line to confluence of Martins and Clover Fork, From the Mouth of Skaggs Creek upstream to Ky Highway 90 bridge, From the back waters of Barren River to the Warren County line, Middle Fork Kentucky River to Big Laurel Creek, From the Hart County line to Green River Lake, KY 536 Rabbit Hash Road bridge crossing to South Fork Gunpowder confluence, KY 536 bridge to Fallmouth- confluence with North and South Fork Licking, Bracken, Harrison, Nicholas, Pendelton, Robertson. Rod number two is a 7 M spinning rod. From the time the water lapped over our ankles until nearly dark, we caught nice smallmouth after nice smallmouth. At least that’s what I think of when I hear about Kentucky Lake… deep cranking ledges! During the summer, Otter Creek is filled with warm water species like smallmouth, Kentucky spotted bass, and various sunfish species, which can all be taken on popping bugs cast around logs and at … Work flowing shoals with a weightless albino shad-colored soft plastic jerkbait hooked through the nose with a wide gap finesse hook. Fishing for many species slows in the daytime hours during the heat of summer, but smallmouth bass who inhabit Kentucky streams bite willingly even on the hottest days. The feeding smallmouths are picking off disoriented crawfish, sculpins and baitfish in the flowing water. 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