OHIO RIVER
One of our most expansive hybrid fisheries of our state is along the Ohio River. As mentioned earlier, the Ohio River receives a huge number of stocked fish each year from the KDFWR.

Additionally, the states of Ohio and West Virginia also stock hybrids into the river. In the section of the river bordering those states, there are very good numbers of fish.

But those aren’t the only sections of the river with good numbers of hybrids. They are stocked in eight major tailwaters of the Ohio and can be caught almost anywhere along the river. Anglers can expect the best concentrations of fish to be in the tailwaters, though.

Angling pressure for hybrids depends on how close the particular area is to major urban areas. Waters near Markland, McAlpine, and Cannelton are hardest hit by anglers.

Fisheries biologist Doug Henley says that the fish quality can vary from year to year. The body size of the hybrids, whether they are thick or thin, depends on the forage production in any given year.

“Most years, the fish are in real good shape,” says Henley. He recommends the tailwaters as the best locations for hybrids.

“Hybrids can be caught most all year in the tailwaters if you know what you’re doing.”

Although he is a big believer in fishing the tailwaters, he cautions anglers to obey the regulations regarding restricted areas around the dams and other areas.

One of the great things about fishing the river for hybrids is they will bite on just about anything, from artificial baits to live baits. Hybrids are anxious to hammer whatever happens their way. Cut bait, shad, night crawlers, chicken liver, minnows, and much more will hook a hybrid.

Lots of river anglers catch hybrids while fishing for other species. In particular, catfish anglers fishing on the bottom and sauger anglers casting into swift water catch plenty of these strong fighters.

The swift currents of the tailwaters are great places for finding lots of action. A number of different baits can be used here too, but lots of anglers like to throw big jigs with Sassy Shad bodies.

When fishing the river near bordering states, remember to be aware of the regulations and reciprocal fishing agreements. Complete regulations are available from the KDFWR.

BARREN RIVER LAKE
One of the most popular locations in the state for hybrid striped bass is at Barren River Lake, which has been providing lots of hybrid fishing action for several years now.

Although the drought seemed to really make a dent last year, the fishing this year should still be good.

According to many of the locals, Barren River Lake was down a lot last year. They reported low-water levels and even some die-off of hybrids. Fortunately, the hybrid stocking program has been in place there for a number of years, and any hit the fishery may have taken should be overcome in short order.

Hybrids grow well at Barren River Lake, and big fish are common. In fact, Barren River Lake’s tailwaters is the home of the state-record hybrid striped bass. Mark Wilson caught the 20-pound, 8-ounce fish in April 1991.

All the same fishing methods mentioned for the other lakes work equally as well at Barren.

Fishing the jumps in the summer is always fun, as is fishing with various live and cut baits.

Other anglers will fish for hybrids much as they do fishing for their cousins the striped bass. These methods include trolling with downriggers and pulling planer boards.