The section of the Ohio River that borders Kentucky contains many excellent tailwater areas. Beginning within the vicinity of Ashland, the Greenup, Meldahl and Markland pools of the state's northern border provide superb largemouth bass fishing for those anglers who search out these highly productive tailwater regions.

GREENUP POOL
Fisheries biologists have divided the Ohio River into three segments for the purpose of conducting detailed fish studies. The upper segment covers the 300 miles from Pittsburgh to Huntington, West Virginia. The middle segment flows another 300 miles from Huntington to Louisville. And the final 400 miles go the rest of the way to the Mississippi River.

Distribution of fish is not the same within these three segments, which is a key factor in identifying the middle segment as a good location for Kentucky bass anglers. The gradient, or drop, of the upper region is greater than the middle and lower. Currents are faster. With the slower currents of the middle segments, the Kentucky sections become the backwater bass waters.

One such area is found near the Greenup Lock and Dam. Midway between the cities of Ashland, Kentucky and Portsmouth, Ohio, this Greenup Pool is well known to the anglers of this Ohio Valley region. Besides good bass fishing, saugers and catfish bring fishermen to the riverbanks in large numbers throughout the late spring and summer months.

One productive tailwater area is near the town of Greenup, just a few miles upstream from the dam. The Little Sandy launch ramp is one-quarter mile west of Greenup just off U.S. Route 23. A large parking area with the availability of shoreline fishing is located here.

Upstream, approximately 10 miles, is the Ashland public ramp. Within the city of Ashland, this boat ramp is at the north end of 16th Street behind the floodwall. Limited parking as well as limited bank-fishing are available at this location. Several motels are in Ashland for anglers traveling to this region for the first time.

Other access points on the Greenup Pool include the Catlettsburg boat ramp, which is in the city of Catlettsburg behind the floodwall. A parking area with picnic facilities is near the Greenup Lock and Dam. This is just off U.S. Route 23 near Lloyd.

Since the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, security around the locks and dams along the Ohio River has been tightened. Some of the fishing access points are now off-limits. Anglers are encouraged to contact the regulating agencies for current information.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lock & Dam office for the Greenup pool can be reached at (606) 473-7441.

MELDAHL POOL
Throughout the midsection of the Ohio River, largemouth bass head for the creeks and embayments during the early days of spring. When the temperatures exceed 50 degrees, the bass look for shallower places to spawn.

After spawning, some bass remain in the shallower waters, while others move into the main river. When the water temperatures are cooler, the fish stay in the shallower areas. Then when the water temperatures go above 80 degrees, the deeper backwater areas are likely to hold more fish than the shallows.