Edward Burger.

APRIL
Redear Sunfish
Barkley Lake
Late April’s the time to get in on some of the best redear sunfish action of the year, and Barkley Lake is a superb choice for finding high-quality fish.

Shellcrackers start spawning in embayments and along banks where gravel and vegetation is present in three to six feet of water, and can be readily caught while on the bed.

On Lake Barkley, expect to come up with some fish 10 inches or better that will provide great fillets for the frying pan.

These fish are widespread and can be caught anywhere on the lake.

Redears tend to feed closer to the bottom than bluegills, so check your depth closely and get your bait just a few inches off the bottom.

If you work it right, you should be able to locate several beds in a day’s fishing.

Action is particularly good near the heads of coves after a rain, because it keeps the fish actively after items that wash or drift in close to the spawning depressions.

Also remember the new 20-fish daily limit on shellcrackers now in place on Barkley. If you want to take home more fish to supplement your freezer stock, go with bluegills.

MAY
Hybrid Striped Bass
Rough River Lake
Biologists report that the hybrid striper fishery at Rough River is taking off, big time. They have found large numbers of fish over 15 inches and good numbers of trophy-sized hybrids as well.

After the March and April spawning run, hybrids begin returning to the main lake. They’ll gradually move from the headwaters to the upper lake in May to the lower lake and main stem portions later in the summer.

Rocky points, creek channels and the main lake channel where shad are present are good spots to try. Late in the month, you may start noticing surface jumps where schools of hybrids are hammering on groups of baitfish up on top.

Another spot for hybrid action in May is below the dam.

Fish that have slipped through will congregate in the immediate tailwaters there and can be caught by a variety of methods.

JUNE
Bluegills
Lake Linville
Lake Linville is a 300-acre, state-owned water in Rockcastle County that many anglers have probably not heard of.

Though the name might be unfamiliar, anglers on this smaller impoundment find that its reputation for very good bluegill fishing in early summer speaks pretty loudly.

Good numbers of 6- to 8-inch bluegills can be found in Lake Linville, and the fishing action remains hot through June.

Most of the spawning will be over as the month wears on, but fishing along shoreline cover, brush, stickups and stumps is still very productive.

Larger ‘gills seem to like slightly deeper waters, so keep that in mind as you move around the banks. Going with light tackle will make the fun that much more enjoyable.

Looking for a new spot to try so you can lay in some fillets for the Fourth of July fish fry? Give Linville a try for high-quality bluegills this summer.