The lake’s average maximum depth is 70 feet with a quick dropoff of oxygen below 50 feet. Below 60 feet, fish cannot survive. In such an environment, the hybrid striped bass population fluctuates widely. Fishing pressure and tailrace discharge rates play the biggest role in the concentration of hybrids.

Compared to Herrington Lake, Taylorsville Lake is a relatively new reservoir. Created in 1983 by damming the Salt River, this lake is utilized for flood control and recreation. Water depth can vary as much as 47 feet over the course of a year. At summer pool, the maximum depth is 70 feet, and this decreases as one moves away form the dam.

This lake is located about 25 miles southeast of Louisville and has a few special fishing regulations, which is pretty much typical for all hybrid lakes. White bass, yellow bass, striped bass and their hybrids have a 10-fish daily limit, singly or in combinations. No more than five of the daily limit may be 15 inches or longer.

Boat access points include the Settlers Trace boat ramp, a free launch site with an “A” rating for any trailerable recreational boat. This is a multiple-lane ramp with shoreline fishing available. A relatively large paved parking lot is nearby, with a courtesy dock and restrooms.

The Possum Ridge State Park ramp is also free. This is a multiple-lane ramp with paved parking and shoreline fishing. A courtesy dock is available, as are seasonal picnic, camping and restroom facilities.

The Chowning Lane and Van Buren ramps are also free, with class “A” ratings and multiple-lane access. Courtesy docks and shoreline fishing area also available at these launch sites.

GUIST CREEK LAKE
An addition to the top three lakes for hybrids, Guist Creek Lake has a reputation for excellent trophy hybrid opportunities. This lake covers 317 acres in Shelby County and has a maximum depth of 47 feet with an average of 15.

Created in 1961, the lake is about two miles east of Shelbyville, the nearest town, and spreads on both sides of U.S. Route 60. Guist Creek Lake has lots of structure. Coves, backwaters, points and dropoffs are found throughout the lake, which provide plenty of places for fish to spawn and find cover.

Public access is available for a fee. There is a concrete ramp on the east shore of Guist Creek. Boat rentals and restroom facilities are available. In summer, look for hybrids in the deeper waters of the west end. Recreational boaters are not known to frequent the waters of Guist Creek Lake. The twists and turns are well suited to anglers, but recreational boaters seem to prefer more open waters.

According to the 2006 Fishing Forecast for Kentucky, Guist Creek Lake has large numbers of hybrid striped bass in the 20- to 25-inch range, and the potential for catching a trophy-sized fish is good.

SUMMING UP
When fishing these manmade reservoirs, search out the back areas of coves, especially where hybrids can gather along the shoreline in cover such as brush, timber or weeds. Also check out shoreline breaks within the main body of the reservoir. Flooded timber is an especially good area to fish.