A variety of growth has returned to Kentucky Lake. Naiad and coontail have seen a dramatic increase. Also, Eurasian water milfoil appears to be making a comeback. That’s of particular importance because of its huge benefit to the survival of bass fry during a fragile stage of their lives.

Paul Rister, a biologist who oversees Kentucky Lake, is greatly encouraged when talking about the lake’s largemouth population.

He says everything looks really promising for this year and on into the coming years. The lake may not be back to its heyday status, but it’s definitely much improved and looking great for the immediate future.

There are terrific numbers of bass between 15 to 18 inches. Good numbers of largemouths above 18 inches are also present, though hard to catch at times.

Anglers should notice a big increase in the average size of bass caught, as compared to just a few years ago.

Anglers also can’t forget about the great smallmouth fishery at Kentucky Lake. Though largemouth bass seem to take the spotlight when people discuss the lake, many diehard smallmouth anglers will say the bronzebacks there are equally impressive.

The official fishing assessment rates the smallmouth fishery as “good.” However, there are some terrific smallmouths in the lake.

There are numerous areas around the lake that have great smallmouth structure. Look for fish around rocky areas, submerged stumpbeds, old submerged roadways, and along the river and creek channels.

Wintertime is probably the best time to tangle with ole Mister Bronzeback. Warm summer weather, soaring water temperatures and boat traffic push the smallies into deeper, cooler water. During the summer, most anglers will resort to night fishing for smallmouths. Fishing deep around structure can be effective, as can probing more shallow areas at times.

Throwing spinnerbaits is the preferred method for many anglers. Black or other dark colors work best.

WOOD CREEK LAKE
Anglers are always looking for new hotspots on their favorite lakes. With so much fishing pressure these days, it’s sometimes difficult to find fresh water that hasn’t been “fished to death.”

Another way to get in on some untapped water is to hit some of our lakes that don’t receive as much fishing pressure. One such lake is Wood Creek Lake in Laurel County.

Wood Creek’s small size is one thing that keeps huge droves of anglers away, but it has much more to offer than most people realize.

Though Wood Creek is only around 672 surface acres, it hosts a tremendous population of largemouth bass.

Ken Harvey, director of Laurel County tourism, is a big believer in the lake’s bass fishery. While fishing with him recently on the lake, I became a strong believer, too.

We were fishing during a terrible weather front that had practically shut down the fishing everywhere, and Wood Creek was no exception.

The bite was tough to come by, but seeing big fish was not. They were everywhere!

Harvey and I fished a lot of different types of structure, ranging from sloping points to heavy brush and wood structure.

We tried a variety of baits, but the bites were few and far between. However, we sighted numerous huge bass cruising through the shallows.

Biologists have been surveying the lake regularly and found the bass fishery there to be in excellent shape.

They have sampled good numbers of bass ranging between 14 and 18 inches. The biologists also report lots of trophy potential at the lake, with plenty of fish greater than 18 inches.