Photo by Keith Sutton

At this time of the year, thousands of Kentucky anglers have crappie on the brain. Most fishermen are wondering where the best fishing is going to occur this spring. After all, starting this month, crappie fishing heats up as spawning activity begins, and egg-laden females make their way to the shallows. Do you know where to go?

Fisheries biologists at the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources Department (KDFWR) have reviewed angler creel surveys. Here’s what they say should be the best opportunities for fast black and white crappie action in Kentucky as the prime crappie run begins.

KENTUCKY & BARKLEY LAKES
In recent years, the Commonwealth’s two powerhouse crappie fisheries have taken a few punches from Mother Nature. But according to biologists, both reservoirs continue to stay in the top rankings for good catches of papermouths.

You might have noticed that for the last couple of years, Kentucky Lake seemed to have had an umbrella over it. The sustained drought has slowed reproduction and consequently, numbers of young crappie have dipped some from normal on this traditionally outstanding crappie water.

“Though our catch rates have dropped the last two years, our growth rates are still very good,” said biologist Neal Jackson.

“Anglers are still reporting good catches of crappie, despite the curve our weather conditions have thrown us,” he said. “It’s just that fishermen may have to work a little harder to come up with the better fish.” (Continued)

When the water flow slows, clearer conditions are present for longer periods of time, and aquatic vegetation increases. Jackson notes that this makes catching crappie harder, probably because the fish stay out in deeper water more -- and the traditionally fishing technique of hitting shoreline cover in shallow water isn’t as productive. Clear-water conditions also tend to favor black crappie more so than white crappie, though both species are found in both these lakes.

“We see the crowds out there in April on the banks,” said Jackson, “and those anglers are catching some fish in two to three feet of water.

“We know the fishing in the bigger embayments, like Blood River and Jonathan Creek on Kentucky Lake, are top spots that draw a lot of crappie in during the spawning period.

“At the same time, though, I have to believe the smaller embayments will have pocket hotspots for nice crappie as well. And I believe anglers should scout around for other places outside those two creeks that everybody knows about.

“Spring crappie fishing is so enjoyable because you can fish the same place day after day and still usually find some fish. And Blood River and Jonathan get hit pretty hard.