Lake Cumberland 2008 fishing forecast looking good
Issued by the Kentucky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR), the fishing forecast is based on 2007 fish population surveys, planned fish stockings, and projections for 2008. This year's forecast for fishing in the lake is rated mostly good to excellent.
Following are the ratings and explanations by species.
Lake
Cumberland
Bluegill - Good - Numerous 6-7 inch bluegill available.
Channel catfish - Good - Good numbers of 13-20 inch fish with occasional catches of larger fish.
Crappie - Good - Fairly low density population but should be adequate numbers of 8-10 inch crappie with occasional catches of larger crappie.
Largemouth bass - Good - Good numbers of 15-18 inch fish with a few fish exceeding 20 inches.
Smallmouth bass - Excellent - Good winter fishery. Plenty of 15-18 inch fish present. Some 20-inch plus fish available.
Spotted bass - Excellent - Numerous fish available with good density of relatively large 13-17 inch fish.
Striped bass - Good - Several year-classes of fish available; there should be good catches of 8-15 pound fish, with fish larger than 15 pounds caught occasionally. Fish in the strong 2006 year class should approach legal size (24 inches) late in 2008.
Walleye - Good - Expect another good year for walleye fishing at
Lake
Cumberland . Good density of 3-5 pound fish with a few fish over 6 pounds.
White bass - Poor - Population density remains low but is improving. For best success, try headwater areas in early spring.
Lake
Cumberland Tailwaters (below dam)
Striped bass - Fair - Fairly low density but good size (15-pounds plus). Mid and lower sections of river are best.
Rainbow trout - Excellent - Abundant 11-15 inch fish and good density of slot sized (15-20 inch) rainbow trout. Anglers may see a slight increase in 20-inch and larger fish. Continued dam repairs and drought conditions may concentrate trout in upper portion of the tailwater.
Brown trout - Excellent - Anglers should continue to see good numbers of 15-20 inch brown trout. Brown trout greater than 20 inches are not uncommon.
The full report is available online from KDFWR: CLICK HERE
LINK: Fishing forecast CHEAT SHEET
Put on your coveralls and reel in the smallmouth bass – this weekend on “Kentucky Afield” TV
Frankfort,
Ky. – Winter is prime time to catch hefty smallmouth bass. Watch “Kentucky Afield” television this weekend to see how a finesse fishing technique reels in the bronzebacks when it’s too cold for many anglers.
Host Tim Farmer joins Kentucky Afield magazine writer Lee McClellan for a day of bass fishing on
Lake
Cumberland using the float-and-fly technique. Essentially a fly suspended under a bobber, the technique is deadly for suspended fish in winter.
Farmer also visits Robert Dunaway of Tri-County Cycle Sales in Corbin for some advice on ATVs and how the four-wheelers can be used for habitat improvements as well as hunting. Farmer also learns some basic riding tips.
“Kentucky Afield” is a production of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. It is the longest continuously-running outdoor television show in the nation. “Kentucky Afield” airs Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Eastern /7:30 p.m. Central and is repeated on Sunday at 4 p.m. Eastern/3 p.m. Central on KET 1.
