Kentucky Lake

My buddy want to go down to Kentucky Lake in April. Who can tell me anything good/bad about it that time of year? Below is where we may end up. Thanks in advance. Sportsman's ANCHOR RESORT On Kentucky Lake 12888 US Hwy. 68 E, Benton, KY 42025

Hey guys, I'm kinda resurrecting an old post, but....ya know...it's crappie season! Would love to hear from anyone that was recently fishing crappie in KY Lake. I may be a bit late this year, but were talking about going next weekend. Trying to get an honest feel for water temps and fish spawning stages.

I was not aware that the resort and slips were owned by different people, my buddy danny books every thing, I just pay him, it's convenient location, have never heard of any vandalism at the slips, bring your own lock and use there locker's,, at night I used to see a security guard,, armed,,,,,,,

Ken, I spent 2 weeks each year for the last three years on Ky. lake. Great fishing hole. One precaution, Your boat is going to be at " The Sportsman's Anchor Resort" Not "Sportsman's Resort" Sportsman's Resort does not have docks. They share the same driveway and are right next to each other. My advice is: hold onto your wallet, The folks at "Anchor" will find a way to extract every penny they can from you. This is not "bad blood" but what we went through the last three years at "Anchor" and for the first 2 years we were too dumb to realize it. Get everything in writing, question every detail on your bill and don't trust a thing they say. Good luck and have a great fishing trip. This year, we are going down to Guntersville instead of Ky. Lake.

I plan to be renting a slip at the sportsmans lodge for the first 2 weeks of april, staying up the road at diner bell resort, great food, I fished there 3 years in april back in 05-07 and did well, My buddys have been going since, same time of year, they claim its all about water temp, hope it starts warming soon, Put new line on my poles today ,

I recommend Sportsman's Lodge over Sportsman's Anchor. It's just a nicer place with a better marina. But after spending some time at Moor's recently, it's got them both beat.

Plumwerm / Mike, Sorry I did not get a chance to talk to you down there. We had a good time and how about that weather. We did not catch as many as some guys mainly because we were not set up to spider rig and all that good stuff. We seen alot of limits come in while there. And as far as accomodations, we were very happy and the marina store and covered slips were nice. As someone stated in this post a while back, that they would recommend Sportsmans resort up the hill, well maybe but the Sportsmans Anchor owns and operates the marina and the fish cleaning staion and all that. The guys from other resorts and from the public launch areas may soon not be able to clean their fish at that marina. Overall I would highly recommend staying at Sportsmans Anchor.

Just got back from a long weekend at Moors. Crappie fishing was slowly getting better as they we had a few steady days and water was held same depth for two days. This next week should be shallow time if weather doesn't get stupid. Bass fishing was heating up as well.

FYI, if it wasn't for the 7 hour drive one way....I'd leave NOW for KY crappie's. Nice weekend and the fish are stacked up and in tight.

I just got back from Kentucky Lake. We stayed at the furthest south end in Tennessee by Paris Landing. We guided with Donald Barnes who was recommended by Steve and he did a great job for us.The weather and water level changed so much in just a couple of days that it did make a difference in fishing. Our first day out with Don it was 50 degrees and foggy until 11:00 am and then everything changed. Sun came out and the temp went into the upper 60's which was great but the fish didn't like it to much.I'm thinking we were there at the right time of year but the Crappies didn't quite have the weather to start staging for the spawn.These next couple of days should get them going.Someone has mentioned that it's better to go down there when conditions are just right ad opposed to a certain time of year and I agree and will do that next year.It's sure is beautiful country on the southern end.

Coyote Hunter, WE will be at Sportsman's Anchor Resort on FRi.PM. Will be driving a Buick SUV with Iowa plates. I'll keep an eye out for you. When you get in on Sat. look for us and come over and have a cocktail. Ask Rita at the desk which unit we are in. Mike S. and Steve G. Looking forward to meeting you.

Oh, by the way, thanks to all of you who shared info & suggestions, I appreciate it.

Plumwerm / Mike, We'll be there the evening of the 13th. We're fishing with a guide on Sunday and then staying until Wednesday. I hope to run in to you and chat a little. We'll either be in a gold Dodge or grey Chey truck. The boat has two Yamahas on the back. I don't know if we know what we are doing but we are going to give her hell for a couple days anyway. I not sure how to PM you. take care, Bill

Well fishing was tough water temps went from 50 to 45 to back up to 50 while were there. had snow wind rain hail sun clouds u name it! ended up with close to 70 keepers between the two of us. all things considered no guide and the weather id say we faired pretty well. fish were fairly deep where we were fishing in cypress bay. did a little exploring but didnt have to go far. stayed at Lakeview cottage and marina had an absolute blast. would deffinetly do it again.

I've stayed at Sportsman's Lodge a couple of times (12710 U.S. 68, Benton, KY 42025 (270) 354-8333) It's right on the other side of the bridge from Anchor Resort. I highly recommend staying there over Anchor Resort. Fantastic people, nice rooms, great parking for trailers, private boat launch and they have covered boat docks so you can keep your boat in the water. There located on Jonathan Creek which is a great crappie fishing spot and plenty of water to fish without even going out into the "lake" if you hit the time right. KY Lake area spring fishing is ALL about weather and water levels. Saying the water levels vary in the spring is a HUGE understatement. The potential of catching 3# crappie and limits of slabs is what draws me to KY Lake. Having said that, I will not go again unless it's a last minute decision and I'm confident that the weather is stable and the water levels are not in flood stage. You can't make that call a week or ten days out, it can change quick. Hit it right and it's amazing, go regardless of weather and water levels and it will hurt ya. That time of year you can have anything from 80deg to snowing and 26 or tornado's.

Very informative stuff. Much like the original poster me and a buddy are gonna head down the 23rd and fish till the 30th. Coming from wisconsin and staying at the Lake View. We have fished Devils Lake ND and have done well. Switching it up this year and lookin for crappies down south. Alot of good info on the bass fishing but as far as the crappies go is it pretty much structure oriented. small tube jigs, cranks, jigs n minnows, working the brush piles and man made stuff. thinking about buying the chip for my humminbird. anyone know how much structure and brush piles etc.. are shown on the chip? thanks frank